(Psychological background the psyche, formative for the organism, spreads any discord to the physical body, upsetting its delicate balance and function. Long persisted-in psychological imbalances particularly leave a deep mark on the body.)

Psychosomatic medicine has developed from the close observation of detrimental mental/emotional effects on the body. These effects have been clearly demonstrated and categorized into several groups of diseases termed according to the physical expression of symptoms .

Throughout the last decades, health care specialists have observed how mental/emotional reactions to disease or physical problems complicate the process of healing and prevent healthy adjustment to the imposed limitations of illness or disability. The Psychology of Physical Illness shows the psychological dynamic of denial as underlying hindrance to cure and presents the importance of working through the grieving process, these being necessary stepping stones for mind and body to harmonize and achieve cure. There are four different types of patients, namely, the anxious patient , the angry patient, the depressive patient, and the helpless patient. In addition to the psychological complications deriving from these emotional imbalances, show the typical physical concomitants, especially for the anxious and depressive patient. It is realized that the mind/emotions create a whole new set of symptoms, superimposed on the already-existing disease and propelling its symptomatic development further. The anxious patient, for example, shows the recurring physical symptoms of heart palpitations, rapid breathing, digestive disturbance, dizziness or fainting, and tension headaches in addition to the psychological symptoms of fearful preoccupation and Hypochondriacal over concern.

Psychological explanation of Hyperventilation Syndrome

In this psychosomatic disease, the breathing rhythm is disturbed. Rapid deep breathing, often occurring without the conscious awareness of the patient, is resulting in inability to let go of air and a feeling of constriction and tightness in the chest. This accompanied by anxiety, often characterized by Hypochondriacal or phobic features, and oppressive feelings. The condition is found three times in women more than in men. Psychosomatic studies have related these breathing disturbances to patients characterized by inhibition in their expressive potential, especially in regard to aggressive-instinctual impulses while they over comply on the surface and 'swallow too much.' The psychological oppression and unvoiced need is expressed by body in oppressive breathing that also originated in excessive intake of unmanageable volume. The breathing apparatus tightens in response to this overload, just as the psychological self passively succumbs to excessive demands and does not assert adequately.

Alternative Names   

Rapid deep breathing; Breathing - rapid and deep; over breathing; fast deep breathing; Respiratory rate - rapid and deep

Definition   

Hyperventilation is rapid or deep breathing, usually caused by anxiety or panic. This over breathing, as it is sometimes called, may actually leave you feeling breathless.

When you breathe, you inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Excessive breathing may lead to low levels of carbon dioxide in your blood, which causes many of the symptoms that you may feel if you hyperventilate.

Considerations   

Feeling very anxious or having a panic attack is the usual reasons that you may hyperventilate. However, rapid breathing may be a symptom of an underlying disease, such as a heart or lung disorder, bleeding, or an infection.

Your doctor will determine the cause of your hyperventilation. Rapid breathing may be considered a medical emergency -- unless you have experienced this before and have been reassured by your doctor that your hyperventilation can be self treated. (See below.).

Often, panic and hyperventilation become a vicious cycle -- panic leads to rapid breathing while breathing rapidly can make you feel panicked.

If you frequently over breathe (sometimes referred to as hyperventilation syndrome), this may be triggered by ongoing emotions of stress, anxiety, depression, or anger. However, hyperventilation from panic is generally related to a specific fear or phobia, such as a fear of heights, dying, or closed-in spaces (claustrophobia).

If you have hyperventilation syndrome -- that is, if you regularly hyperventilate -- you might not be aware of it. But you will be aware of having many of the associated symptoms, including dizziness or lightheadedness, shortness of breath, belching, bloating, dry mouth, weakness, confusion, sleep disturbances, numbness and tingling in your arms or around your mouth, muscle spasms in hands and feet, chest pain, and palpitations.

Causes   

• anxiety and nervousness
• stress
• panic attack
• situations where there is a psychological advantage in having a sudden, dramatic illness (for example, somatization disorder)
• stimulant use
• lung disease such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung)
• infection such as pneumonia or sepsis
• cardiac disease such as congestive heart failure or heart attack
• severe pain
• bleeding
• drugs (such as an aspirin overdose), and pregnancy.

Risk factors

Many people with panic disorder or agoraphobia will experience HVS. However, most people with HVS do not have these disorders.

Diagnosis

Hyperventilation syndrome is a remarkably common cause of dizziness complaints. About 25% of patients who complain about dizziness are diagnosed with HVS. The gold-standard diagnostic technique is to have the patient breathe rapidly for two minutes. This will trigger the symptoms and convince the patient that over breathing is responsible for the symptoms. This test can only be performed at a time when the patient is not already experiencing symptoms.

Home Care   

Assuming that a more serious, underlying cause of hyperventilation has been eliminated and your doctor has explained that you hyperventilate from anxiety, stress, or panic, there are steps you can take at home. You, your friends, and family can learn techniques to stop you from hyperventilating when it happens and to prevent future attacks.

If you start hyperventilating, the goal is to raise the carbon dioxide level in your blood, which will put an end to most of your symptoms. There are several ways to do this:

1. Reassurance from a friend or family member can help relax your breathing. Words like "you are doing fine," "you are not having a heart attack," and "you are not going to die" are very helpful. It is extremely important that the person helping you remain calm and deliver these messages with a soft, relaxed tone.
2. To increase your carbon dioxide, you need to take in less oxygen. To accomplish this, you can breathe through pursed lips (as if you are blowing out a candle) or you can cover your mouth and one nostril, breathing through the other nostril.

Over the long term, there are several important steps to follow to try to eliminate your tendency to over breathe:

1. If anxiety or panic has been diagnosed, see a psychologist or psychiatrist to help you understand and treat your condition.
2. Learn breathing exercises that help you relax and breathe from your diaphragm and abdomen, rather than your chest wall.
3. Practice relaxation techniques regularly, such as progressive muscle relaxation or meditation.
4. Exercise regularly

To obtain your medical history, your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms like:

Do you feel short of breath? What other symptoms do you have when you are breathing rapidly? Do these symptoms start at any other time (for example, when you are walking or exercising)? Do you have any underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol? What medications do you take? What is happening in your life in general? Has it been a particularly stressful time? Do you feel anxious or stressed, especially before you start breathing rapidly? Are you in pain? What does the pain feel like? How intense is the pain? Where is it located? And what other symptoms do you have (for example, have you had any bleeding? Are you dizzy?)

The doctor will assess how rapidly you are breathing at the time of the visit. If you are not breathing quickly, the physician may try to induce hyperventilation by instructing you to breathe a certain way.

While you hyperventilate, the doctor will ask how you feel and watch how you breathe -- including what muscles you are using in your chest wall and surrounding areas.

Tests that may be performed include:

ECG ; X-rays of the chest ; Blood tests for the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood; Chest CT scan; and Ventilation/perfusion scan of your lungs.

Role of Homeopathy in the treatment of Hyperventilation Syndrome

Long clinical experience has conclusively proven that for the homeopathic treatment, the characteristic emotional and mental traits of the patient himself represent the most practical guide towards the selection of effective medicine, regardless of the kind of clinical illness. How we justify the practice of allowing ourselves to be guided by mental symptoms in the selection of medicines for physical illness?Our experience has shown that "mentals" are often of overruling importance in determining the remedy which represents the total symptomcomplex similar to the patient's condition. Besides justifying our method of remedy selection, this fact also suggests that the mental attitudes, probably, are also of paramount importance in the establishment of the very psychosomatics complex itself, which represents the illness. The proving experimentally demonstrates the fact that every constitution brings forth mental symptoms. On the other hand modern psychosomatic research has conclusively shown that mental and emotional attitudes deeply influence the physiologic functioning.

An evaluation of the psychological personality should be a part of the routine case-taking. Particularly when there is dearth of sufficient generalities and modalities on which to base a proper prescription, we can make the most of our evaluation of the psychological type. Personality traits frequently serve as a keynote for identifying the therapeutic medicine in physical illness.

To finish and reach a kind of conclusion, it may be realized that the "prudence, mature deliberation, knowledge of human nature and delicacy of approach" a doctor must have in the "highest degree" as Hahnemann says in paragraph98 of the Organon, it becomes all the more necessary in the difficult task of understanding the emotional life of our patients, through their expressions. It is a task without which it is not possible to benefit from the Law of Similars.

Miasmatic background Psora

Prognosis Favorable

Therapeutics

Examples of homeopathic remedies: Ignatia amara, Nux moschata, Asafoetida (Narthex asafoetida), Lobelia inflata, Sanguinaria canadensis, Nux vomica, China officinalis, Kali carbonicum, Ammonium carbonicum...

Ignatia amara shows breathing disturbances after disappointments, after too much has been swallowed. In the Ignatia amara state, the body expresses the inner need and frustration through erratic, often spasmodic symptoms. These patients also feel hurt easily and turn inward; sighing, yawning, and constriction or senses of weight in the chest are common expressions. There is the desire to draw a long breath and lift the weight upon the chest; breathing is slow and belabored and may develop into hysteria and hyperventilation, with rapid expulsion of air. Other symptoms are Hypochondriacal concerns, conscientiousness about trifles, and a release of built-up resentment through voicing recriminations and accusations. The muscles of the face and lips may twitch; a congestive headache that is worse from tobacco may follow anger or grief. There are sour eructations and craving for acid things; the rectum undergoes painful spasms. There is a tendency to cramping and spasms throughout the body, as occurs in the intestines, the respiratory tract, and the skeletal system.

Nux moschata is indicated in a sleepy, absent-minded, at times giddy state, and there may be the tendency to take unfair treatment lightly or hardly respond adequately, until the body voices the unexpressed need. The patient experiences heaviness and oppression of the chest, with a sense of contraction in the throat as if being strangulated. Distressed breathing patterns may escalate into hysteria and hyperventilation. Inspiration typically is impeded and expiration comes rapidly. Other important symptoms are a deficiency in hormonal power; dryness of all mucous membranes, including the eye balls; obstinate constipation; hypochondriasis; and fear and fainting from the sight of blood. Anger is voiced occasionally, most intensely during pregnancy when pressures build up and hormonal shifts disturb the equilibrium further. There is no milk during the nursing period.

Asafoetida (Narthex asafoetida) is another hysterical, hormone-related medicine with Hypochondriacal features. There are the symptoms of ill humor, irritability, and protest reactions throughout the body. Internal contradictions are expressed through breathing disturbance, a spasmodic air hunger and insufficient expanding of lungs, globus hystericus, reversed peristalsis in the esophagus, and ineffectual urging in the rectum. The abdomen is distended and pulsations are felt in the stomach and abdomen. There is a rising-up feeling throughout the respiratory tract and intestinal canal. Eructations smell like garlic; a craving for wine and a generally good appetite can be observed. Milk production may occur in the breasts of the un-impregnated.

Lobelia inflata shows intense Hypochondriacal anxiety about chest and heart complaints, although the pathology itself is rather mild. There is also a tendency to anger and irritability which can affect the breathing apparatus and cause hyperventilation. Constriction in the chest, asthma, air hunger, and oppressed breathing are generally worse from exertion, after eating, from the least fatigue, from a current of air, and from cold bathing. A rapid walk in the fresh air, however, relieves the sense of weight on the chest and the congestion. Other symptoms are spasms in the esophagus, beginning in the stomach region and extending to the throat, preventing food from descending; nausea with sweating and nausea from alcohol; a prickling of the skin all over preceding asthmatic attacks; and a sensation that the heart stands still.

Sanguinaria canadensis is marked by irritability and anger that are propelled by marked vasomotor disturbances. These are manifest in the red cheeks, flushes of heat, distention of temporal veins, and hot palms and soles, especially apparent during menopause. Repressed anger may lead to the typical constriction in the respiratory region, with inclination to take a deep breath. Inspiration is difficult and expiration accelerated. There are accompanying sharp, stitching pains beneath the sternum and neuralgic pains half-way between sternum and nipple. Other symptoms are hay fever, a headache that begins in the occiput and settles over the right eye, an aversion to butter and aggravation from sweets, and intense thirst.

Nux vomica can experience Hypochondriacal concerns, fastidiousness, and intense irritability that may cause a spasmodic tightening of the breathing system in response. Asthmatic complaints or hyperventilation can develop, with difficulty in inspiring and rapid expiration. Generally, the muscles undergo cramps and twitching; frequent symptoms are ineffectual urging and reversed peristalsis in stomach, esophagus, and rectum. The patient is adverse to tight clothing, irritating lights, odors, noises, and alcohol. Generally, improvement from heat and warm drinks occurs.

China officinalis is marked by great nervous sensitivity, debility, hypochondriasis, and a tendency to be insensitive or hurtful from intense irritability. Self-control has to be exercised and, as typical response to suppressed emotions, may precipitate psychosomatic complaints. The suffocative attacks are also elicited by prolonged conversations and are marked by difficulty in taking in air and by rapid expiration. There is great oppression of the chest, with excessive anguish. Patients may expire by puffing and blowing air out of the cheeks. Respiration is possible only when lying with the head high. Other symptoms of China officinalis are a general inability of the body to process fluids; water causes nausea and is not absorbed properly. The China officinalis state can come on after excess loss of fluids such as occurs after severe blood loss or diarrhea. There is hunger for food, yet it is not digested, especially meat is felt like a stone or lump in the stomach. The patient is easily annoyed and sensitive to any touch, although a firm hug relieves. The skin can appear jaundiced.

Kali carbonicum is a stoic worker and tends to appear proper and upright, yet the continuous holding down of emotional agitation take its toll. Dread or nausea is felt in the epigastrium from excitement, while the breathing apparatus tightens, causing asthmatic attacks, shortness of breath, and anxious oppression of chest. Breathing difficulties can grow into hyperventilation with difficult inspiration and rapid expiration. The asthma is worse from 2 to 4 a.m. And at 3 a.m.; it is improved by sitting up, by leaning forward and resting the elbows on the knees. Respiration is generally improved by lying propped-up. Weakness and faintness come on from walking fast, and there can be a pain in the chest when speaking. Other symptoms are concern about health, about being alone, about ghosts. These patients startle easily from noises, are worse from cold and drafts, and often appear heavy-set or stiff.

Ammonium carbonicum is marked by great weakness and lethargy in mind and body. There is very low endurance for walking and ascending when shortness of breath, possibly hyperventilation, and heart palpitations occur. These patients are also irritable and morose, especially in the morning. The sins of others against them cause agitation and annoyance, and the repression of aggressive impulses may precipitate psychosomatic complaints such as spasmodic asthma, an additional respiratory symptom. These people tend to be overweight, lead a sedentary life, and are averse to cold air and bathing. They suffer from sinusitis and congestion that are worse during the menses. Specific nerve sensitivity exists around the teeth; mere pressing of the teeth together causes shocks of pain through ears, eyes, and head. These pains are intensified during tooth aches.

Repertorial analysis

MIND - AILMENTS FROM - anxiety

aur. calc. calc-p. carc. cimic. cocc. hyos. ign. kali-p. lyc. nit-ac. op. ph-ac. RUTA samb. SIL. Spong. staph.

MIND - ANXIETY - health; about - own health; one's

Acon. AGAR. . Arg-met. ARG-N. . ARS. Ars-h. Aur-m. Calad. Calc. Calc-p. . carc. Chinin-ar. Cocc. . ign. KALI-AR. Kali-br. Kali-c. kali-p. Kali-sil. Lil-t. lob. Lyc. . Med. . NIT-AC. nux-v. Ph-ac. PHEL. PHOS. Psor. Puls. sel. Sep. Syph.

RESPIRATION - ACCELERATED - anxiety, during

ars. nux-v. seneg.

RESPIRATION - ANXIOUS

ACON. Am-c. Aml- . Anac. Apis Arn. ARS. BAR-M. Bell . . Camph. Carb-an. Cham. CHEL. Chlor. . Cocc. CoffColoc. corv-cor. Crot-c. Crot-h. . Dig. Hep. . Hyos. . Ign. IP. Kali-c. Lach. Laur. Mez. . NAT-M. Op. PHOS. Plat. . PRUN. Psor. PULS. . Rhus-t. Samb. . SEC SPONG. SQUIL. STANN. Stram. Sulph. .

MIND - FEAR - sudden (Panic attack)

.Acon. Ars. Cann-i. Ruta Tritic-vg. Vanil.

MIND - FEAR - terror

Tritic-vg. Vanil.

MIND - AILMENTS FROM - fear

ACON. Act-sp. . Arg-n. . Bell . Caust. . GELS. . Ign. Op. Spong.

MIND - FEAR - narrow place, in (agoraphobia)

ACON. ARG-N. Aur-m-n. Bamb-a. Calc. . Ign. Lac-d. Lyc. Puls. . STRAM. Tritic-vg.

MIND - FEAR - high places, of

Arg-n. Aur-m-n. Carc.

Note: The abbreviations of remedies as mentioned above are the standard abbreviations as given in the SYNTHESIS 9.2 (RADAR 10.32).

"No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers and act of reasoning as fear" - Edmund Burke.

References

1. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia-html
2. From Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia.
3. Irwin G Sarason and Barbara R. Sarason, Abnormal Psychology (The problem of Maladaptive Behavior), 11 th edition, Published by Pearson Prentice Hall.
4. Walter J Coville, Timothy W. Costello and Fabian L Rouke, Abnormal Psychology, Published by Barnes E Noble, New York.
5. Fernando Risques, Psychiatrist Homeopath, Psychiatry and Homeopathy, Published by B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd. New Delhi.
6. Cornelia Richardson-Boedler, Psychiatrist Homeopath, Applying Homeopathy and Bach Flower Remedy, Published by B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd., New Delhi.
7. Synthesis 9.2 (RADAR 10.5.003)