Constant yawning causes lack of air. Psychogenic respiratory disorders. What to do if you find it hard to breathe

with a variety of clinical manifestations.

One of them is a violation of breathing, which brings a person great discomfort.

Most often it is combined with other signs of nervous dysfunction, but in some cases it may be the only complaint.

Symptoms and treatment of respiratory neurosis are individual for each patient.

Respiratory neurosis is characterized by a violation of the correct rhythm of breathing

Respiratory neurosis is a psychological state of a person in which the correct rhythm of breathing is disturbed.

Such a change may be formed on the basis of other psycho-emotional disorders or be an independent disease.

In medicine, this type of neurosis has other names: "dysfunctional breathing" and "hyperventilation syndrome."

A survey of patients diagnosed with disorders of the nervous system showed: 80% of them experienced a change in the usual rhythm of breathing, lack of air and even suffocation.

This not only creates inconvenience, but also increases anxiety, causes a panic attack and an uncontrollable fear of death, worsening the already precarious emotional state of patients.

The work of the human respiratory system is controlled by a special section of the brain.

Failure in the activity of the nervous system, stressful and hysterical conditions cause violations of this complex mechanism.

The respiratory center of the human brain begins to send too frequent impulses that reach the diaphragm and muscles through the nerve fibers.

In response to such signals, they begin to contract more rapidly, and more air enters the lungs than is normal.

This phenomenon of hyperventilation of the lungs inevitably leads to an imbalance of substances: there is too much oxygen in the blood and not enough carbon dioxide.

Deficiency of the latter is called "hypocapnia" . It is this condition that is the cause of the symptoms of respiratory neurosis.

With respiratory neurosis, attacks of suffocation often occur.

Reasons for the appearance

In the mechanism of the appearance of respiratory failures in neurosis, they play an important role.

But a third of cases is of a mixed nature, that is, the condition provokes one or more factors at the same time.

If respiratory neurosis is a consequence of a psychosomatic disorder, then stress, emotional experiences, and exposure to a psycho-traumatic environment lead to disruption of the respiratory system.

In this case, the brain can "remember" the circumstances of the onset of an attack of hyperventilation.

For example, if the first episode of the disease occurred while riding the subway - shortness of breath appeared with neurosis, the symptom may recur during the subsequent descent into the subway.

The most common causes of respiratory neurosis:

  1. Mental and neurological diseases. For example, the cause of lack of air.
  2. Unstable psycho-emotional state.
  3. Regular stress.
  4. Malfunctions of the human autonomic nervous system.
  5. Respiratory diseases.
  6. Exposure to aggressive and toxic substances.
  7. Overdose of drugs.

Regular stress is a common cause of respiratory neurosis.

Doctors have found that some patients have a tendency to develop dysfunctional breathing. In such people, the body is characterized by increased sensitivity to the content of CO 2 (carbon dioxide) in the blood. A sharp decrease in the amount of this substance can cause dizziness and even lead to loss of consciousness.

Symptoms of respiratory neurosis

Lack of air in neurosis with respiratory disorders is the main symptom characteristic of the disease, which patients complain about.

When a person has an attack, he cannot breathe evenly: the breaths become short and intermittent, and their pace becomes rapid.

Then comes a short stop, after which the patient again begins to frantically inhale the air.

As a rule, such hyperventilation leads to feelings of anxiety or imminent death, often leading to a panic attack.

Respiratory neurosis occurs in patients in two forms: acute and chronic:

  1. In the acute form, attacks are accompanied by pronounced symptoms: a person suffocates, falls into hysterics, requires others to call an ambulance. In such a period, it really seems to him that "".
  2. The chronic form has somewhat erased symptoms: for example, at the beginning of the patient, only periodic shortness of breath in stressful situations may disturb. As the disease progresses, its manifestations become stronger, new complaints appear.

Shortness of breath with neurosis and other respiratory disorders are far from all symptoms of neurosis. As a rule, this disease disrupts the work of almost all body systems.

In the acute form of the disease, a person suffocates

Other possible manifestations of respiratory neurosis:

Group of symptoms Description
Gastroenterological There are serious malfunctions in the digestive system. A person begins to suffer from gas formation, constipation or diarrhea. Often this is accompanied by pain in the stomach and intestines. The patient notes a decrease in appetite and dry mouth.
Cardiac Violation of the usual heart rate(usually with a tendency to tachycardia), pain in the center of the chest or under the left shoulder blade.
Muscular Patients often complain of muscle weakness and pain. Often there is a tremor - trembling of the limbs.
neurological A symptom that accompanies suffocation in neurosis, which most patients complain about, is dizziness. There may also be a feeling of crawling on the skin, numbness of the fingers and fainting.
Psycho-emotional The patient feels increased anxiety. It seems to him that danger lurks at every step and soon he will definitely feel bad again. The person becomes irritable, hardly falls asleep.
Respiratory Cough without sputum, rapid and irregular breathing, yawning, feeling of a coma or spasm in the throat.

Respiratory neurosis is characterized by the frequency of attacks and the intensification of symptoms over time.

Having arisen once, they will surely repeat again sooner or later.

To prevent this from happening, it is important to diagnose the disease in time and.

Features of respiratory neurosis in a child

Respiratory neurosis in children is a condition in which the child must be carefully examined.

Such a violation may indicate pathological disorders in the respiratory and central nervous system.

But more often, as in adults, the cause of the disease is, and constant stress.

Respiratory neurosis in a child can also be caused by frequent anxiety disorders.

  1. Mood swings often occur in children with hyperventilation syndrome.
  2. The child looks nervous and gets tired quickly.
  3. He may lose the desire to play with his best friends or favorite toys.
  4. In the evening he falls asleep badly, and often wakes up at night.

Children, like adult patients, complain of periodic attacks of lack of air and suffocation.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of "respiratory neurosis" is not an easy task.

The symptoms of this condition are often disguised as other diseases with which hyperventilation syndrome must be differentiated.

For example, with pain in the center of the chest, it is important to exclude cardiac pathologies.

Therefore, when diagnosing respiratory neurosis, doctors often act by exclusion. This may require more than one examination.

In the presence of special diagnostic equipment, it will be useful to carry out capnography.

This study measures the concentration of carbon dioxide that a person exhales.

The patient is asked to breathe faster, thereby simulating an attack of respiratory neurosis.

This allows you to register the content of carbon dioxide in episodes of hyperventilation.

The doctor will be of great benefit for the correct diagnosis: discussion of the nature of the complaints, their severity and the rate of progression.

The Niimigen Questionnaire can be used- a special test developed by pulmonologists from Holland.

It consists of 16 items , each of which represents a sign of hyperventilation. The patient must evaluate their severity in points from 0 to 4. This allows you to collect and systematize important information about the state of human health.

Methods of treatment

The treatment of respiratory neurosis must be dealt with by someone with experience in the treatment of mental disorders.

The lack of adequate medical care will not only lead to an increase in seizures and a decrease in the quality of life, but can also provoke the progression of existing psychological disorders. and the appearance of secondary ones due to the constant fear of a new attack of suffocation.

The treatment plan is selected individually in each clinical case. It depends on the set of symptoms of respiratory neurosis and the degree of their manifestation. Psychotherapy sessions are based . Unfortunately, many patients are skeptical about them and try to avoid them, but only work with a psychotherapist can reveal the root of the problem.

The purpose of her exercises is to reduce the depth of inhalations and exhalations, as well as increase the carbon dioxide content.

This allows you to improve the overall well-being of a person and minimize the symptoms of the disease.

A proper daily routine, a balanced diet, physical activity and the rejection of bad habits will also benefit.

Proper breathing exercises are one of the best ways to treat respiratory neurosis.

In more severe forms, drug therapy is prescribed:

  1. Lungs sedatives , including herbal ingredients.
  2. , which affect the mental state of the patient, and significantly reduce the level of anxiety.
  3. Antipsychotics ( but not always and everywhere);
  4. Vitamin D, calcium and magnesium help relieve the excitation of the muscles of the chest.
  5. B group vitamins.
  6. Beta blockers.

Friends, the most important any drugs should be used only when prescribed by the attending physician.

To quickly stop an attack of respiratory neurosis, you can use a little trick: start breathing into the bag.

Very soon, the level of carbon dioxide in the body will return to normal, and the symptoms will recede.

Breath- a natural physiological act that occurs constantly. Usually we do not think about it and do not pay much attention to it. The body itself regulates the depth and frequency of respiratory movements depending on the situation.

Everyone knows the feeling when there is not enough air. Sometimes it occurs for no reason, sometimes - after climbing stairs or, for example, jogging. It is common to experience shortness of breath with great excitement, when a person complains that he cannot breathe. A healthy body quickly brings breathing back to normal, and shortness of breath goes away by itself.

The shortness of breath associated with such a load passes quickly and is not a cause for concern, because it immediately disappears after rest. But with prolonged or severe difficulty breathing, you should consult a doctor for immediate treatment. Breathing problems can be a sign of a serious problem.

Sudden and acute lack of air occurs in the following life-threatening situations:

  • pulmonary edema;
  • closing of the respiratory tract with a foreign body;
  • asthma attack;
  • pneumothorax (air penetration between the layers of the lung membrane - pleura - with compression of the lungs);
  • thromboembolism (blockage) of the pulmonary artery;
  • other reasons.

In all cases of difficulty breathing, it is urgent to determine the cause of the disorder and prescribe the optimal treatment in a timely manner.

Obviously, it is the respiratory system that provides tissues with oxygen and organizes the process of respiration, but many other organs are involved in this system. For breathing, the correct functioning of the muscular frame of the chest and diaphragm is very important. Also, the brain, heart and blood vessels are fully involved in this process. In many ways, breathing depends on the composition of the blood, the activity of the nerve centers of the brain, and the hormonal status of a person. It is also influenced by external causes: abundant nutrition, strong emotional experiences, frequent and intense physical activity, and others.

With fluctuations in the concentration of gases in the blood and tissues, the body adapts to changes. If necessary, the frequency of respiratory movements will also increase. An increase in oxygen demand or a lack of it leads to an increase in breathing.

With many infectious diseases, fever and tumors, acidosis occurs, which is a factor that provokes rapid breathing. As a result, excess carbon dioxide is removed from the blood, and its composition gradually normalizes. This explains why breathing is difficult. Such mechanisms are activated automatically, so a person does not need to make any effort. Sometimes they become pathological.

For any respiratory disorder, a thorough examination and a differentiated approach to treatment are necessary, even if the cause of the respiratory disorder seems obvious. If breathing is difficult and there is a feeling of lack of air, you should immediately contact any of the indicated doctors: a cardiologist, neurologist, psychotherapist, therapist. In case of acute development of shortness of breath - call an ambulance!

Causes of breathing problems

If there is a problem with breathing and it seems that there is not enough air, doctors may attest that the patient is short of breath. It is also worth knowing what to do if it is difficult to breathe. This symptom is considered to be a response to an existing pathology, it occurs when the body begins to adapt to it. Also, this sign can be a confirmation of the natural physiological process of adaptation to changing external conditions.

There are times when it is difficult to breathe, but there is no unpleasant feeling of lack of air. This is due to the fact that the frequency of respiratory movements increases, due to which hypoxia is eliminated. This happens with a sharp rise to a height, work in various breathing apparatus or carbon monoxide poisoning.

There are two types of shortness of breath: inspiratory and expiratory. In the first case, the air will not be enough when inhaling, in the second - when exhaling. Sometimes the patient has a mixed type of shortness of breath: he cannot normally take a full and deep breath and exhale fully.

There is also physiological shortness of breath, which is considered a completely natural condition. The appearance of physiological shortness of breath can lead to:

  • excitement or strong emotional experiences;
  • physical exercise;
  • stay in high mountains;
  • poor indoor climate and insufficient ventilation.

Usually, a symptom such as rapid breathing is associated with physiological causes and disappears after a while. Shortness of breath appears reflexively. If a person is in poor physical shape and leads a sedentary lifestyle, then during physical exertion he may often experience shortness of breath. For those who exercise regularly or even just walk, this problem does not arise. The feeling of shortness of breath will occur much less frequently as your general physical condition improves.

Shortness of breath of the pathological type often has an acute character of development. She torments the patient all the time, sometimes even at rest. In addition, with the slightest physical effort, the problem only gets worse.

If the airways are abruptly blocked by a foreign body, there is swelling of the tissues of the larynx, lungs, and other serious conditions. The person immediately begins to choke. In this case, the body during breathing does not receive even the necessary minimum of oxygen. At the same time, in addition to shortness of breath, there are severe disorders in other organs and systems.

Pathological causes that cause breathing difficulties include:

  • pathology of the heart and blood vessels (such shortness of breath is called cardiac);
  • with diseases of the respiratory system, pulmonary dyspnea occurs;
  • hematogenous shortness of breath is the result of a violation of the gas composition of the blood;
  • shortness of breath of the central type develops with violations of the nervous regulation of the act of breathing;

cardiac causes

The most common cause that makes it difficult for a person to breathe is heart disease. In this case, it seems to the patient that the air does not enter the lungs. There is also cyanosis of the skin, fatigue, swelling in the legs, cold to the touch and symmetrical.

Sometimes, after examining patients with impaired breathing against the background of changes in the heart, shortness of breath persists even with the use of the necessary drugs. In some cases, shortness of breath even becomes even more pronounced.

If there is not enough air on inspiration during the pathology of the heart, shortness of breath is inspiratory in nature. It often occurs with heart failure. At the same time, shortness of breath in severe stages persists even at rest. Deterioration is observed at night, when the patient is in a horizontal position for a long time. The patient begins to put extra pillows under his back - and this is the only way he can sleep. In severe cases, patients sleep sitting up.

The most common causes of cardiac dyspnea are:

  • cardiomyopathy;
  • myocardial dystrophy;
  • cardiac ischemia;
  • heart defects (congenital diseases that are accompanied by the appearance of shortness of breath even in the newborn period and in childhood);
  • arrhythmias (the most common is atrial fibrillation or atrial fibrillation);
  • heart failure;
  • inflammatory processes that are found in the heart, including myocarditis and pericarditis.

In cardiac pathology, breathing difficulties most often occur with the progression of heart failure. In this case, there is no adequate cardiac output, which leads to the development of tissue hypoxia. Also, the cause of shortness of breath can be congestion in the lungs, which is associated with failure of the myocardium of the left ventricle. This condition is called cardiac asthma - it is she who is characterized by shortness of breath when lying down.

In addition to shortness of breath, which is often combined with a dry, painful cough, people with heart pathologies complain of other problems. They develop some characteristic symptoms that make diagnosis easier. These include the following:

  • swelling that appears in the evenings;
  • pain in the region of the heart;
  • the appearance of interruptions in the heart;
  • bluish skin.

In this case, most often, breathing difficulties occur in the supine position. Some patients even sleep in a semi-sitting position. This allows you to weaken the flow of venous blood from the legs to the heart, which reduces the symptoms of shortness of breath.

An attack of cardiac asthma can quickly turn into alveolar pulmonary edema. In this case, the patient immediately begins to suffocate. The respiratory rate during an attack exceeds 20 times per minute. At the same time, the face begins to turn blue, and the veins in the neck begin to swell; mucus turns to foam. At the first sign of pulmonary edema, the patient needs emergency care.

Pulmonary causes

The second reason that leads to difficulty in breathing is the pathology of the lungs. In this case, it is difficult for the patient to inhale or exhale. Respiratory failure in pulmonary pathology occurs with the following diseases:

  • chest pneumo- and hydrothorax;
  • chronic diseases of the obstructive type. These are bronchitis, pneumosclerosis, emphysema, asthma, pneumoconiosis;
  • thromboembolism that occurs in the branches of the pulmonary arteries;
  • foreign bodies in the airways;
  • tumors.

Changes in the lung parenchyma of a sclerotic or chronic type can affect respiratory failure. Unfavorable external factors can also aggravate the problem. Among them, recurrent infections of the respiratory system, poor environmental conditions and smoking can be highlighted.

At first, shortness of breath occurs during physical exertion. Then she begins to worry constantly - this indicates the development of a severe and irreversible stage of the course of the disease. Pathology of the lungs leads to a violation of the gas composition of the blood. This causes a constant lack of oxygen in the head and brain. Due to severe hypoxia, metabolism in the nervous tissue is disturbed and encephalopathy develops.

Patients with bronchial asthma know firsthand about all the manifestations of respiratory failure during an attack. It becomes almost impossible to exhale, discomfort and pain in the chest appear. An arrhythmia may also develop. The patient has difficult and scanty sputum when coughing. The veins in the neck swell.

If the patient suffers from this type of dyspnea, then during the attack he sits and rests his hands on his knees, which reduces venous return. This alleviates the condition by reducing the load on the heart. Such patients quite often fail to breathe in and out at night, or they lack air early in the morning.

A severe asthma attack causes a condition in which the patient begins to suffocate. His skin turns blue. Panic and disorientation in the outside world may also occur. Asthmatic status often leads to seizures and loss of consciousness.

Also, patients may not have enough air in diseases such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, pneumonia.

In addition to shortness of breath, inflammation of the lung parenchyma leads to an increase in temperature. The patient can be diagnosed with all the symptoms of intoxication. In addition, when coughing, a lot of sputum is released.

The entry of a foreign body into the respiratory tract is a very serious cause of sudden respiratory failure. A foreign body can be a small part of a toy or a piece of food. They are usually accidentally inhaled by babies while playing or eating.

In a victim with a foreign body in the respiratory tract, the following symptoms occur:

  • blue skin;
  • respiratory failure;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • cardiac arrest if not treated immediately.

Difficulties in breathing with osteochondrosis

The most common symptom of osteochondrosis is shortness of breath. She requires special attention. Shortness of breath in this case acts as a consequence of the disease, and it is pointless to treat it. The disease carries a much greater danger than all its manifestations. A visit to the doctor is absolutely necessary for osteochondrosis.

The main symptoms of shortness of breath in osteochondrosis or how to identify it

With this disease, pain in the head or neck can occur, as well as completely unexpected numbness of the limbs.

If cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed, then shortness of breath looks like the inability to breathe deeply. The patient also complains of muscle spasms and body aches.

In this case, shortness of breath is expressed in violation of the rhythm of breathing. In this case, an acute or mild lack of oxygen can lead to discomfort.

With osteochondrosis, the symptoms of shortness of breath are supplemented by the following phenomena:

  • the appearance of constant drowsiness;
  • it is impossible to breathe normally;
  • hard breath;
  • yawn;
  • constant feeling of fatigue;
  • dizziness;
  • the appearance of clouding in the head;
  • chest or neck pain when taking a deep breath;
  • inability to yawn fully.

Also, if a person has a sick spine, sometimes there may be a deterioration in memory or mental activity. This is due to the lack of the required amount of oxygen in certain parts of the brain.

What is the danger of shortness of breath

The owners of this disease may suspect that they have various heart diseases, primarily angina pectoris or a heart attack. In most cases, the appearance of shortness of breath is associated with obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, or smoking. Self-diagnosis makes it difficult to undergo a diagnostic procedure on time, which can bring the patient to a deplorable or critical condition.

It is quite difficult to cure osteochondrosis, so it is better to do its prevention in the early stages.

Any shortness of breath can lead to suffocation, which causes permanent damage to brain cells. These symptoms should be treated by a neurologist. He will conduct a visual diagnosis, taking into account the analysis of all patient complaints.

With the help of pressure in the chest area, a specialist can determine the causes of this condition and all possible pathologies. A tomography may also be ordered.

Why does shortness of breath appear

When it is difficult to breathe with osteochondrosis, as well as with shallow and incomplete breathing, displacement of the polyposis nucleus can be diagnosed. Symptoms of this condition are incomplete, difficult inhalation or exhalation and the inability to breathe. As a result of the displacement of the nucleus, the nerve endings are irritated and the vessels are blocked, through which oxygen enters the tissues and organs. To restore oxygen balance, a person has to take frequent breaths. This is what the patient perceives as shortness of breath.

The main cause of shortness of breath is lack of physical activity. It can also be caused by other reasons:

  • malnutrition, which leads to metabolic disorders;
  • uncomfortable posture during prolonged sitting;
  • various back injuries (falls, bumps, sprains);
  • genetic inheritance;
  • poorly furnished tables, beds, desks.

What to do to treat shortness of breath with osteochondrosis

With wandering osteochondrosis, it is often difficult for the patient to breathe. In this case, this symptom should not be fought with the help of various medications recommended by the doctor. After curing the disease, the problem with shortness of breath will completely disappear.

The treatment can take 1-3 months. In advanced cases, with cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis, an operation is prescribed. It will take about one year for the patient to recover.

Ways to deal with shortness of breath without surgery:

  • physiotherapy helps to remove pain and quickly restore the body after surgery;
  • massage for osteochondrosis improves blood circulation and saturates tissues with oxygen. As a result, the symptom of heavy breathing is eliminated;
  • physical therapy helps to create the necessary load on certain parts of the body. With the help of such exercises, the muscles are strengthened and the displaced blocks are aligned. Thus, a person will be able to exhale and breathe deeply.

To eliminate dissatisfaction with breathing, the doctor may prescribe medication, manual, reflex therapy and traction, that is, traction of the spine. The measures taken lead to relief, shortness of breath is removed and the general condition of the body improves significantly.

How to eliminate shortness of breath at home

There are many ways to get rid of heaviness and shortness of breath and alleviate the patient's condition.

Additional home treatments can only be used in consultation with your doctor!

These treatments include the following:

  • foot baths;
  • inhalation;
  • exercises that allow you to normalize respiratory function.

The easiest way to eliminate shortness of breath is to run and warm up. After consulting with doctors, you can perform exercises with weight lifting.

Prevention

In order to remove the discomfort of shortness of breath, it is necessary to do a warm-up and exercise every day for at least 10 minutes. The best prevention for a healthy person will be rings, bars and a horizontal bar. With the help of training, you can quickly cope with shortness of breath, fill the brain and blood vessels with oxygen and reduce stress.

Attacks of lack of air is one of the most common symptoms that occur during a panic attack, as a result of vegetovascular dystonia and panic disorder. In these diseases, it occurs only on inhalation and is in second place as far as possible to intimidate a person, after functional disorders associated with cardiac activity.

Although the symptoms of a panic attack are very diverse and individual, for each patient, the symptom that causes the greatest fear comes first. As you get used to one symptom, they change to more terrible and incomprehensible ones. Therefore, after extrasystoles, tachycardia and pressure surges, the body tries to intimidate you, causing a feeling of lack of air. Indeed, it turns out to be very scary!

Suffocation with VSD.

Here is the story of one patient: - For about a year I have been suffering from the problem of my breathing. I can't take a deep breath, I don't have enough air, I often yawn. Sometimes there are attacks of suffocation with panic and fear. The feeling of lack of air is aggravated by nervous excitement, in a stuffy closed space, in tight-fitting clothes.
When I forget about it, I seem to be breathing normally, but with very small breaths. As soon as I remember, I immediately want to check how my breathing is and I want to inhale deeply, but it doesn’t work. At times, it seems that I can’t breathe normally anymore.
Has addressed to the doctor. I did a fluorography in three planes, an ultrasound scan and an analysis for thyroid hormones. Everything is okay. Maybe I have breathing problems, asthma?

Lack of air, causes.

VSDshniki all the time looking for organic causes of their condition. If they don't find one, they get even more upset.

An attack of suffocation in bronchial asthma occurs on exhalation (it is easy for the patient to inhale, and exhalation is difficult and lengthened), and with VVD and a panic attack on inhalation (the patient cannot inhale, but exhales without problems). This is the main difference in the differential diagnosis of these two diseases at home, close to combat.


The VVDshnik does not have any problems with the respiratory organs and the heart, there is - only with neurosis and the fear of death.

Although the symptom is perceived as very scary, it is completely harmless and not dangerous to your life. The worst thing that can happen in this case is loss of consciousness due to hyperventilation (increased ventilation) of the lungs, increased oxygen levels and hypocapnia (low concentration of carbon dioxide) in the body. The condition is called hyperventilation syndrome.

Let's take a closer look at why this is so.

When a stressful situation arises, your body begins to prepare to reflect it, preparing for increased physical activity. He prepares to exit stress and perform fight-or-flight actions. Hormones are released into the blood, which constrict blood vessels, expand the bronchi, increase the pulse, frequency and depth of breathing. All this is done in order to oxygenate the muscles, which, according to the brain, have a lot of work to do.

But you are a well-mannered person and cannot rush at the offender with your fists or run away.
You stay in place, and the increased level of oxygen in the muscles is unnecessary. At the same time, with frequent breathing, carbon dioxide is removed from the blood - its concentration drops. It should be replenished with increased muscle work, but this does not happen. You need to lie down and not move - an ambulance is already rushing behind you at full speed.

The decrease in carbon dioxide in the body leads to narrowing of the blood vessels. The body constricts blood vessels to raise the concentration of carbon dioxide - there is plenty of oxygen. As a result of this narrowing, the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain is reduced.
In turn, the brain, which is in the grip of anxiety and panic, has an increased need for oxygen. It instructs the respiratory center to increase the depth and frequency of breathing, thereby further aggravating the situation and causing even greater fear.
Here, the inconsistency of the actions of the hormonal (humoral) and nervous systems of the body's regulation is clearly visible. They are simply trying together to regulate the same function of your body, and each pulls the blanket over himself.

Treatment of an attack of lack of air in VVD.

As you can see, there is no reason to be afraid of an asthma attack with VVD. The feeling of lack of air, of course, is unpleasant, but tolerable. The sooner you explain this to your brain, the sooner these seizures will go away from you.

To relieve the feeling of lack of air during a panic attack, it is necessary to increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inhaled air. To do this, you need to breathe into any bag or folded palms for several minutes. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood increases, the vessels dilate, and the respiratory rate decreases.

All other actions proposed as will also have a positive effect.

I do not recommend using all breathing exercises and various inhalations. Here they are completely useless because you do not have any problems with the respiratory system. Don't waste your time and money on their use. All your respiratory organs are in perfect order, which cannot be said about the nervous system, suffering from neurosis and stress.

The modern name for this condition "hyperventilation syndrome" means a state of increased breathing (hyper - increased, enhanced; ventilation - breathing). At the end of the twentieth century, it was proved that the main cause of all the symptoms of HVS (shortness of breath, a feeling of a coma in the throat, sore throat, annoying coughing, a feeling of inability to breathe, a feeling of chest tightness, pain in the chest and in the heart area, etc.) are psychological stress, anxiety, excitement and depression. As mentioned above, the function of breathing is under the influence of the somatic nervous system and the psyche and therefore reacts to any changes that occur in these systems (mainly stress and anxiety). Another reason for the occurrence of HVS is the tendency of some people to imitate the symptoms of certain diseases (for example, cough, sore throat) and to unconsciously fix these symptoms in their behavior. The development of HVS in adulthood can be facilitated by monitoring patients with dyspnea in childhood. This fact may seem unlikely to many, but numerous observations have proven the ability of a person’s memory (especially in the case of impressionable people or people with artistic inclinations) to firmly fix certain events (for example, perceptions of sick relatives or their own illness) and subsequently try to reproduce them in real life. life after many years. In case of hyperventilation syndrome, disruption of the normal breathing program (change in the frequency and depth of breathing) leads to a change in blood acidity and the concentration of various minerals in the blood (calcium, magnesium), which in turn causes such symptoms of HVA as trembling, goosebumps, convulsions, pain in the heart area, a feeling of muscle stiffness, dizziness, etc.

Symptoms and signs of hyperventilation syndrome. Different Types of Breathing Disorder

Respiratory disorders in hyperventilation syndrome can be permanent or occur in the form of seizures. GVS attacks are characteristic of conditions such as panic attacks and anxiety disorders, in which various symptoms of respiratory distress are combined with some of the symptoms characteristic of these conditions.
Panic attacks and respiratory symptoms
Panic attacks are attacks of intense unmotivated fear accompanied by shortness of breath and a feeling of lack of air. During a panic attack, there are usually at least 4 of the following symptoms:
  • strong heart beats
  • sweating
  • chills
  • shortness of breath, choking (feeling short of breath)
  • pain and discomfort in the left side of the chest
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • a feeling of unreality of the surrounding world or one's own self
  • fear of going crazy
  • fear of dying
  • tingling or numbness in the legs or arms
  • flushes of heat and cold.
Read more about panic attacks in our article.
Anxiety disorders and respiratory symptoms
Anxiety disorder is a condition, the main symptom of which is a feeling of intense internal anxiety. The feeling of anxiety in an anxiety disorder is usually unjustified and not associated with the presence of a real external threat. Severe internal restlessness in an anxiety disorder often accompanies shortness of breath and a feeling of shortness of breath. Read more about panic attacks in our article. The constant presence of symptoms of HVS is observed more often than the paroxysmal development of this condition. As a rule, three types of disorders are simultaneously present in patients with hyperventilation syndrome: respiratory, emotional and muscular. Respiratory disorders with GVS:
  • constant or intermittent feeling of shortness of breath
  • a feeling of not being able to take a deep breath or that "air is not getting into the lungs"
  • feeling of difficulty breathing or tightness in the chest
  • annoying dry cough, frequent sighs, sniffling, yawning.
Emotional disorders in GVS:
  • internal feeling of fear and tension
  • a sense of imminent disaster
  • fear of death
  • fear of open or closed spaces, fear of large crowds of people
  • depression
Muscular disorders in HVS:
  • feeling of numbness or tingling in the fingers or feet
  • spasms or cramps in the muscles of the legs and arms
  • feeling of tightness in the arms or muscles around the mouth
  • pain in the heart or chest

Principles of development of symptoms of HVS

As mentioned above, the triggering factor in the development of HVS symptoms is psychological stress or another factor that has affected the psychological life of the patient. It is important to note that often patients with HVS cannot say exactly after what kind of stressful situation they first developed respiratory problems or cannot remember at all an unpleasant situation that could provoke this disease, however, upon detailed questioning, the cause of HVS, most often is still determined. Very often, this may be a hidden or not fully realized concern about the patient's state of health, a past illness (or illness of relatives or friends), conflict situations in the family or at work, which patients tend to hide or unconsciously reduce their significance. Under the influence of a mental stress factor, the work of the respiratory center changes: breathing becomes more frequent, more superficial, more restless. A long-term change in the rhythm and quality of breathing leads to a change in the internal environment of the body and to the development of muscle symptoms of HVS. The appearance of muscle symptoms of HVS, as a rule, increases the stress and anxiety of patients and thus closes the vicious circle of the development of this disease.

Respiratory disorders with GVS

Respiratory symptoms of hyperventilation syndrome do not occur randomly, but systematically, in certain associations and ratios. Here are the most characteristic combinations of symptoms of respiratory failure with GVS: Feeling empty breath- characterized by a feeling of incomplete inspiration or the inability to take a full breath. Trying to inhale more air, patients take deep breaths, open the vents, windows, go out onto the balcony or the street. As a rule, the “feeling of lack of air” increases in crowded places (in a store), in public transport (in a bus, in the subway), in enclosed spaces (in an elevator). It is not uncommon for the feeling of "shortness of breath" or "out of breath" to be exacerbated during the excitement of public speaking, an exam, or an important conversation. Difficulty breathing and "lump in throat"- characterized by a feeling of obstruction in the passage of air through the respiratory tract or stiffness of the chest, which makes breathing extremely difficult and incomplete. Experienced breathing difficulties make the patient restless and often cause suspicion of bronchial asthma or goiter. The feeling of "lump in the throat" is often observed for a long time and without visible difficulty in breathing. Confused breath- characterized by a feeling of interruption (stopping breathing) and fear of suffocation. Due to the feeling of respiratory arrest, patients are forced to constantly monitor and control the breathing process. Obsessive dry cough, yawning, deep sighs- This is another type of respiratory disorder with GVS. Patients with HVS often complain of a chronic dry cough, which is accompanied by a feeling of a lump in the throat or persistent sore throat. Typically, patients with these symptoms undergo long and ineffective treatment for pharyngitis and sinusitis, as well as unnecessary thyroid tests for suspected goiter.

Other symptoms of HVS

In addition to respiratory failure against the background of hyperventilation syndrome, other symptoms are often observed:
  • Pain in the heart or chest, short-term increase in blood pressure
  • Intermittent nausea, vomiting, intolerance to certain foods, episodes of constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Feeling of unreality of the surrounding world, dizziness, feeling close to fainting
  • Prolonged fever up to 37-37.5 C without other signs of infection.

Hyperventilation syndrome and lung diseases: asthma, chronic bronchitis

Quite often, the symptoms and signs of hyperventilation syndrome develop in patients with certain lung diseases. Most often, patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis suffer from HVS. The combination of HCV with lung diseases always makes the situation much more difficult: the symptoms of HCV are very similar to those of asthma or bronchitis, but require completely different treatment than the symptoms of these diseases. According to modern statistics, about 80% of patients with bronchial asthma also suffer from HVA. In this case, the starting point in the development of HVS is exactly asthma and the patient's fear of the symptoms of this disease. The appearance of HVA against the background of asthma is characterized by an increase in dyspnea attacks, a significant increase in the patient's need for medications, the appearance of atypical attacks (dyspnea attacks develop without contact with the allergen, at an unusual time), and a decrease in the effectiveness of treatment. All patients with asthma should carefully monitor their external respiration during and in between attacks in order to be able to distinguish between an asthma attack and an HVA attack.

Modern methods of diagnostics and treatment of respiratory disorders in HVS

Diagnosis of hyperventilation syndrome is often quite difficult due to the need to exclude many diseases that can be accompanied by symptoms similar to those of HVS. The majority of patients with HVS and doctors consulting them who are unfamiliar with the problem of HVS believe that the cause of symptoms is diseases of the lungs, heart, endocrine glands, stomach, intestines, and ENT organs. Very often, the symptoms of HVS are considered as symptoms of chronic pharyngitis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, angina pectoris, pleurisy, tuberculosis, gastritis, pancreatitis, goiter, etc. As a rule, patients with HVS undergo a very long diagnosis and treatment, which not only does not eliminate the symptoms of the disease , but also often enhances them. Despite this, a complete examination in the case of HVS is still necessary, but not in order to “find the cause of the disease”, but in order to exclude all other diseases that can occur with similar symptoms. The minimum examination plan for suspected HVS includes:
  1. Therapist's consultation
  2. Endocrinologist's consultation
  3. Neurologist's consultation
  4. Ultrasound of internal organs and thyroid gland
  5. X-rays of light
The state of affairs in the diagnosis of HVS is often complicated by the patients themselves. Many of them, paradoxically, by no means want to accept that the symptoms they experience are not a sign of a serious illness (asthma, cancer, goiter, angina pectoris) and come from the stress of a breakdown in the breathing control program. In the assumption of experienced doctors that they are sick with HVS, such patients see a hint that they are "faking the disease." As a rule, such patients find some benefit in their morbid condition (liberation from certain duties, attention and care from relatives) and therefore it is so difficult to part with the idea of ​​a “serious illness”. Meanwhile, the patient's attachment to the idea of ​​a "serious illness" is the most significant obstacle to the effective treatment of HVS.

Express DHW diagnostics

For the diagnosis of HVS, a special questionnaire was developed, which makes it possible to make a correct diagnosis in more than 90% of cases. To take the test go to . To confirm the diagnosis of HVS and treatment, you should contact a neurologist.

Treatment of hyperventilation syndrome

Treatment of GVS includes the following approaches: changing the patient's attitude to his illness, breathing exercises, drugs to eliminate internal stress.

Changing the patient's attitude towards his disease

Often the symptoms of HVS can only be eliminated by changing the patient's attitude towards them. Patients who trust the doctor's experience and really want to get rid of HCV usually respond very positively to the doctor's explanation that HCV is not a serious disease and does not in any way lead to death or disability. Often, the mere understanding of the absence of a serious illness relieves patients with HVS from the obsessive symptoms of this disease.

Respiratory gymnastics in the treatment of respiratory disorders in HVS

Violation of the rhythm and depth of breathing in HVS is not only a manifestation, but also the driving mechanism of this disease. For this reason, with DHW, breathing exercises and teaching the patient "correct breathing" are recommended. During severe attacks of shortness of breath or the appearance of a feeling of lack of air, breathing into a paper or plastic bag is recommended: the edges of the bag are tightly pressed against the nose, cheeks and chin, the patient inhales and exhales air into the bag for several minutes. Breathing into a bag increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood and very quickly eliminates the symptoms of an attack of GVS. For the prevention of HVS or in situations that can provoke symptoms of HVS, “belly breathing” is recommended - the patient tries to breathe, raising and lowering the stomach due to diaphragm movements, while exhalation should be at least 2 times longer than inhalation. Breathing should be rare, no more than 8-10 breaths per minute. Breathing exercises should be carried out in a calm, peaceful atmosphere, against the backdrop of positive thoughts and emotions. The duration of the exercises is gradually increased to 20-30 minutes.

Psychotherapy for GVS

Psychotherapeutic treatment is extremely effective for GVS. During psychotherapy sessions, a psychotherapist helps patients to realize the inner cause of their illness and get rid of it.

Medicines for the treatment of HVS

Due to the fact that hyperventilation syndrome most often develops against the background of anxiety or depression, additional drug treatment of concomitant psychological disorders is required for the qualitative treatment of this disease. In the treatment of HVS, drugs from the group of antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Paroxetine) and anxiolytics (Alprazolam, Clonazepam) are highly effective. Drug treatment of HVS is carried out under the supervision of a neurologist. The duration of treatment is from 2-3 months to a year. As a rule, drug treatment of HVA is highly effective and, in combination with breathing exercises and psychotherapy, guarantees the cure of patients with HVA in the vast majority of cases.

The content of the article

We don't notice how we breathe. But if there is not enough air when inhaling, we think about the reasons. What prevents us from breathing deeply?

When there is not enough air when inhaling

Difficulty breathing that does not give satisfaction from inhalation is called shortness of breath. In healthy people, shortness of breath is the result of physical effort,.

Organs and tissues lack oxygen, hypoxia and a feeling of lack of air develop. The respiratory center of the brain "commands" to speed up breathing and reduce oxygen starvation. This condition is natural and does not require correction.

A GOOD WAY TO REDUCE PHYSIOLOGICAL DYNEFUL IS RUNNING, SWIMMING, SKIING.

Shortness of breath due to hyperventilation

Hyperventilation develops when stress hormones enter the bloodstream. They command the heart to pump a lot of blood and oxygen through the lungs, the person begins to breathe shallowly, often and “overflows” with O₂. At the same time, the feeling of lack of air does not disappear. The disorder is corrected by drugs that calm the nervous system and respiration.

Hyperventilation accompanies some conditions and diseases:

    Panic attacks;

    Hysterical and others;

    infections;

    Pregnancy.

Difficulty breathing deeply

Shortness of breath is caused by:

  • Obesity

The internal organs are covered with fat, the lungs cannot fully open and breathe, but contract. Shortness of breath develops from a lack of oxygen in the tissues.

  • Iron-deficiency anemia

If there are no external causes of shortness of breath, but there is not enough air when inhaling, you need to check for iron deficiency anemia. Iron is part of the hemoglobin molecule responsible for delivering oxygen to tissues and organs. Little hemoglobin - little oxygen and shortness of breath with little physical activity.

  • Neuritis of the intercostal nerve

Everyone experienced the sensation: you can’t breathe in deeply because of a sharp pain in the heart or lung. The pain can be short-term - pricked and gone, and can last for a long time due to inflammation, injury or nerve compression.

All these conditions are treated: exercise therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve inflammation, iron-containing drugs are taken for anemia, they fight obesity with diet, sports, and surgical reduction of the volume of the stomach.

Night shortness of breath

“I wake up in a cold sweat, I wake up in a nightmarish delirium ...”, the domestic group sings. The song accurately describes that accompanies episodes of heart or lung failure. A person does not have enough air when inhaling, he wakes up with sweat and panic.

Causes of nocturnal shortness of breath:

    Pulmonary embolism;

    Cardiac or bronchial asthma;

Such night rises require an "ambulance" and long-term treatment. For most causes of shortness of breath, drugs with cardiotonic and sedative properties will support breathing and heart function.

One of them is the complex drug Cardiovalen. He contains - an analeptic that activates the respiratory center of the brain and normalizes breathing; extracts, and , which protect the heart from overload and align
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