Take for example, the way you act when you have a panic attack. What is the first thing your breathing does?
It certainly doesn't slow down to keep you calm.
It speeds up and you instantly forget what a normal breath is. It's very difficult in that position to remember how to breathe normally. You seem more intent on breathing to stay alive, but you know you're not going to just stop breathing.
Even if you tried to stop breathing, and I don't recommend that; but I have tried it, your body forces itself to breath. The muscle under your lungs flutters widly and makes you breathe in air.
So why do we obsess about it, and how can we breathe better?
It was, and to some extent is, a fixation of mine. I blamed my breathing for everything to do with my symptoms. And I might not have been simply mad.
It has been proven that constant hyperventilation causes chronic fatigue, headaches, acid reflux (which gives sensations of heart pain) dizziness and lightheadedness, nausea, etc. Sound farmiliar?
Prolonged overbreathing for a long time leads to something called Hyperventilation Syndrome (HVS for short).
This is when overbreathing becomes your normal breathing rate. You are taking in too much oxygen. Ironically, this makes you feel as though you are not taking in enough breath - and that's why most of you will probably feel breathless a lot.
I know I did and do.
It also gives the feeling that you can't take in a deep breath.
For those who want to know, this is apparently because the oxygen binds heavily to your red blood cell's haemoglobin and the body can't take away as much carbon dioxide. Although the exact scientific facts are disputed; I don't doubt the theory.
So how can this be treated?
Breathing less.
It sounds simple, but it's really not. It's actually very difficult, because you have to be very self-aware about your breathing without obsessing over it.
There are various methods. Some say using stomach or diagphramic breathing is best. Others say it doesn't matter if you use your chest or your diagphram.
This website's box breathing technique is very useful, too.
I personally don't think it matters. As long as you are creating more carbon dioxide.
Exercise, yoga, walking frequently - all are good ways to get more CO2 without having to worry about it.
You will not stop breathing. It may feel like you are suffocating at first, but that will pass with practice.
Once mastered, you will start breathing at a healthy rate all the time, and maybe your symptoms will reduce with it. It does for me.
Take care,
DB.
It really does take a lot of practice.
.
