How to Control Breathing to Prevent Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation is defined by Dictionary.com as excessively rapid and deep breathing "resulting in decreased carbon dioxide levels and increased oxygen levels that produce faintness, tingling of the fingers and toes, and, if continued, alkalosis and loss of consciousness." The main causes are either psychological conditions such as stress or anxiety or a variety of physical conditions from pregnancy to cardiac conditions. If your doctor has determined that your hyperventilation is the result of stress, anxiety or panic and not from an underlying physical condition there are several things that you can do to control your breathing.

Instructions

• 1

  Understand the mechanics of hyperventilation. If hyperventilation begins you must raise the level of carbon dioxide in the blood by reducing the amount of oxygen that is breathed in. This means that you must breath slower in order to reduce the symptoms of hyperventilation or to stop a full-blown panic attack.

• 2

  Breathe through pursed lips as if you were blowing out a candle, or breathe through only one nostril by closing the other with your hand.

• 3

  Ask a friend or family member to help you. Have someone repeat reassuring messages and attempt to calm you down. The more upset or anxious you get the more likely you are to hyperventilate.

• 4

  Exercise regularly. It helps you control your breathing on a long-term basis. Learn and practice breathing exercises to relax your diaphragm. Yoga and other exercise routines teach these, or you can simply practice "belly breathing," which is placing a hand on your stomach and making sure that your hand moves away from your body when you breath in while your chest and shoulders to not move.