Rarely diagnosed, but a widespread phenomenon.

Hyperventilation syndrome is a breathing disorder which may affect about one in ten people. It develops over a long period of time, often many years, during which time the individual develops a faster than average breathing rate.

A side effect of prolonged stress, hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) is largely unrecognised, but could hold the key to a wide range of health problems.

Not to be confused with acute hyperventilation, where the sufferer experiences shortness of breath, rapid breathing or panting and possibly fainting, the symptoms of CHRONIC hyperventilation are more subtle, and often part of a confusing symptom picture:

Tiredness; poor concentration; poor sleep; restlessness; tingling; poor circulation to hands and feet; dizziness; chest pains and palpitations; irritable cough; breathing discomfort and wheezing; bloated feelings; frequent sighing and yawning; IBS; erratic blood pressure; heartburn; achy muscles; tension; twitching and cramps; depression; anxiety & panic attacks.

What can be done to alleviate these symptoms?

Sufferers need to retrain their breathing pattern. Eventually the body will adapt, and slower breathing will become the norm once more. This can take anything from one week to several months to achieve.

Anything which induces relaxation will be helpful, be it meditation, yoga, massage, acupuncture, counselling or hypnotherapy, all of which are available at the Natural Health Consultancy.

The Buteyko Method is a system of specific breathing exercises, scientifically devised to reverse the hyperventilation process. The method is easy to learn and the result is a slowing down of the breath rate per minute, a reduction in symptoms and a feeling of calm and wellbeing.

One-to-one sessions are available with Suzanne Cooper at the Clinic. Suzanne is a member of the Buteyko Breathing Association.

Click here for Buteyko Breathing Method