Hyperventilation can cause wicked cramping (hexbear.net)

submitted 11 months ago by john_brown@hexbear.net 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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[-] Diva@lemmy.ml 7 points 11 months ago

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.