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A 18-year-old female asked:
I have a few questions. i hope i'm not going crazy but i get this weird feeling that goes down my body. it's usually out of nowhere & i feel like i can't breathe, my chest feels tight, i get lightheaded, my heart races and i for some reason think i'm dyin
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A Verified Doctoranswered
Family Medicine 49 years experience
Hyperventilation: syndrome: anxiety causing rapid shallow breathing with an associated rapid heartbeat and a sensation of impending doom.
Some tricks to stop it:
- rebreathe into a paper bag
-immerse face into ice water ( diver's maneuver)
-blow out as long and hard as you can
-strain on a toilet like you are trying to have a difficult bowel movement. ( check Valsalva maneuvers to treat hyperventilation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 18, 2015
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