PANIC ATTACKS, ANXIETY, STRESS DISORDERS AND BREATHING
from The Blue Mountains Gazette
Hyperventilation (over breathing) reduces carbon dioxide levels in the body. This disturbs chemical stability in the body which in turn restricts blood flow to the brain and heart. The brain receives too little blood, and, therefore oxygen, giving rise to very unpleasant conditions ranging from headaches to phobias and panic attacks. Symptoms resulting are dizziness, disorientation, anxiety and a feeling of suffocation. Lack of oxygen to the heart causes it to beat faster and to pound.
Once anxiety has overcome a person a vicious cycle of hyperventilation/anxiety/hyperventilation locks into place.
The range of symptoms this produces include feelings of unreality, fatigue, fear, chest pain, nausea, muscle aches, cramps and pains, shortness of breath, sweating, tightness in the throat, dry mouth and depression.
Chronic hyperventilation is common and frequently remains undiagnosed. Once recognised and corrected the myriad of symptoms it produces can be eliminated.
Our mental and physical health depends on our ability to maintain a stable chemical environment in our bodies in the face of stresses in our external environment. Buteyko breathing retraining corrects the faulty breathing pattern.
Jennifer Harris B.I.B.H. conducts classes and private consultations in the Blue Mountains. Phone 0414 833 857 or for more information take a look at http://www.pnc.com.au/~breatheasy which is Jennifer’s website.