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Hyperventilation can cause wicked cramping (hexbear.net)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net
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I got food poisoning and ended up going to the ER last night because I lost control of my upper body. Apparently hyperventilation (while puking my guts out) can reduce the amount of CO2 in your blood stream, making your blood mildly acidic. Before I went to the hospital I was laid out on the ground, unable to control my arms which were partially bent with my hands balled into tight painful fists. Thought I was dying.

So, pro tip, if you're ever hyperventilating and your upper body gets tingly and starts to cramp up, try your hardest to regulate your breath.

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[–] 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I learned to do some Buteyko breathing techniques, which uses this principle as a way to help some chronic conditions.

My main takeaway was to focus on nasal breathing, controlled breathing patterns, and reducing over time the amount that you inhale unless necessary to operate.

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  • [+] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)
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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    Oh yeah, my experience is using it with asthma, particularly aggravated by exercise. Reducing hyperventilation actually helped reduced symptoms that persisted despite being otherwise well controlled on medication. Unfortunately you're right it did go trending at some point so there's all sorts of harmful bullshit out there.

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