Studies have demonstrated how stress and breathing have reciprocal relationships. Exposure to a stressor will call physiological hyperventilation, to ready our body for the threat. We will discuss how hyper-ventilation causes stress
Hyperventilation (fast breathing) creates low levels of plasma carbon dioxide (hypocapnia). Hypocapnea increases excitability of the nervous system and stimulates catecholamine release, the neurohormones dopamine, adrenaline and noreadrenline that are usually released in response to emotional or physical stress and are responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response. Essentially fast breathing tells your brain that there is a danger around and your body prepares you for the threat, or at least makes your nervous system more aroused to smaller stimuli, characterised by high stress, low relaxation or low ability to focus.
Many people are highly chemo-sensitive to increasing levels of blood carbon dioxide and can experience panic reactions. In these cases, hyper-ventilation can be considered a protective mechanism as it lowers carbon dioxide levels. This becomes self-perpetuating as low carbon dioxide levels also increase excitability of the respiratory centre in the brain, makes us react quicker and stronger to changes in physical activity.
But we need carbon dioxide! Once considered merely a waste by-product of respiration, carbon dioxide is an incredibly important molecule that regulates how efficiently we oxygenate our tissues. Low carbon dioxide levels strengthen the bond between haemaglobin (in red blood cells) and oxygen. These patients are more likely to experience high blood pressure and heart rate, as the body tries to compensate for less efficient oxygenation. Carbon dioxide also acts as a relaxant to smooth muscles in airways and blood vessels, so low levels can cause narrowed airways and constricted arteries.
Buteyko techniques are effective at allowing the patient to restore normal chemo-sensitivity to carbon dioxide to eliminate the protective response of hyper-ventilation. Breath re-training should be included as a priority for any patient experiencing chronic stress or panic as it is non-invasive, relatively easy and gives the client autonomy over their own sense of well-being.
