How much can a person hyperventilate themselves before they get into the danger zone and need medical intervention? Is there a general top end limit to this or could someone keep hyperventilating for hours at a time?
I ask because I’ve been in situations with extreme anxiety and started hyperventilating. They doctor had me breathe into a paper sack but it didn’t work. It kept getting so intense and scary that he finally gave me a stiff shot of valium to put me down. That worked really well.
Obvious disclaimer - I am not a (medical) doctor, the internet is a terrible place to seek advice regarding medical issues.
I suspect severity of effects are going to be heavily dependent on how much and how often you are hyperventilating. The problems are actually caused not by excess of oxygen but by reduced carbon dioxide concentration in the blood which makes the blood more alkali and triggers a reduction of blood flow to the brain amongst other things.
According to the flawless font of medical knowledge that is wikipedia the paper bag treatment is now contraindicated (because it can reduce blood oxygen at a time when bloodflow to your brain is already reduced) so you might want to query your doctor about that.
All I know is that I’ve often been told that hyperventilation will not kill you. Part of what keeps the anxiety going is the idea that it is dangerous.
It’s really not that hard to control your breathing. The anxiety relief may not be immediate, but you can definitely start breathing out twice as long as you breathe in. You can even hold your breath, and you won’t die.
Oh, and please, please do not rely on valium shots. Benzodiazepines should be a last resort for what is most likely an anxiety symptom. You do not want to get addicted.
Another mechanism to account for the ill effects of hyperventilating is by its effect on blood calcium levels.
In the bloodstream, calcium exists in two forms: 1. free, as the Ca[sup]++[/sup] ion and 2. bound to the blood protein albumin by which its charge is neutralized. In terms of normal body moment-to-moment physiology, it’s only the free, unbound, ionized Ca[sup]++[/sup] that’s active. Calcium bound to albumin is inactive.
When you hyperventilate, you breathe out excessive quantities of carbon dioxide. Since carbon dioxide dissolved in your blood is an acid, when you exhale too much of it, thereby removing it from your blood, your blood begins to turn more alkaline. However, when the blood is alkaline, hydrogen ions (H[sup]+[/sup]) more readily dissociate from albumin, thereby leaving the albumin with a negative charge. When that happens, the albumin is able to bind more of the positively charged free Ca[sup]++[/sup], thereby lowering the level of the unbound, free Ca[sup]++[/sup] in the blood. Since, as stated, it’s the free Ca[sup]++[/sup] that’s biologically active (at any instant), the net effect is of having too low calcium levels. Indeed, some of the symptoms of hyperventilation, ranging from tingling to convulsions, are typical manifestations of low calcium levels.
In passing, the fact that seizures can occur as a result of hyperventilation (at least in part due to the low Ca[sup]++[/sup] levels so induced), indicates that there is, indeed, a “danger zone” from engaging in the practice.
I used to have panic attacks, really bad, so I can guarantee you, two things.
Breathing into a paper bag does work, and if it doesn’t for you, you’re not doing it right. Now that is 100% understandable. When you panic, you are not thinking about proper form.
You can also try to cup up your hands over your mouth and nose. This will work nearly as well.
OR
If you can simply just shut your mouth. It is very difficult to hyperventilate while your mouth is closed. Oh sure it’s possible, but it’s really difficult to do.
The thing is you had a panic attack or anxiety. You didn’t get immediate relief and you got scared of the feeling of hyperventilation. Such as the tingling in your limbs that comes from it.
Your doc gave you Valium and it calmed you down ASAP. Now you want that 'cause it worked so quickly.
There is nothing really wrong with this. Valium and Xanax and the like are very helpful as TOOLS to fight your anxiety. But they will not cure it. Eventually you’re going to have to learn techniques to fight the fear.
Here’s a program that normally works for panic attacks. Your therapist will refer you to a doc (a psychiatrist who is an MD or DO). He/She will give you Valium or Xanax or something similar for short term use. That is one to three months.
You get an antidepressent for the anxiety. Paxil is one of the best, Imiprimine is also excellent though not used because of some side effects like constipation and dry mouth. These can take up to six weeks to take hold.
Next get a total physical. Check out your heart, breathing, blood tests, diabetes, etc, etc. This is very important, because once you rule out everything, you can assure yourself your anxiety is just that.
I also strongly recommend a book called “Stop Running Scared” by, Herbert Fensterheim. This book is out of print, (It was written in the late 70s) but it has valuable techniques and scripts to control fear and even a whole section on hyperventilation
Again, there is nothing wrong with Valium, it is there for a reason, it does help. But it’s not a cure all. In a month or so you’re going to hyperventiling while on Valium. But it is an excellent tool but not a cure all.
The hyperventilation produces more fear, tingling and dizziness. So it’s a vicious circle, but I can guarantee you, CAN get over it and you will not die, you will not go crazy or anything like that.
Remember when you get the fear to reassure yourself “This is distressing but not dangerous.”
Figting anxiety is not easy but it’s do-able. And one thing I’ve learned in life is this: you wll be surprised what you can do if you have to
Good Luck 