Breathing Pattern Disorder

Definition:

Breathing Pattern Disorder(BPD) is a combination of individual symptoms which, on their own, may all be attributed to other causes, but collectively, may make up a breathing pattern disorder. These symptoms are all actually due to low levels of CO2 (carbon dioxide), as opposed to the common misconception that the cause is insufficient intake oxygen. BPD is diagnosed using physical assessment, a validated questionnaire (the Nijmegen) and a machine that measures respiratory CO2 levels (a Capnometer). Symptoms of Breathing Pattern Disorders can cause fatigue, abdominal bloating, brain fog, muscular aches and pains, pins and needles in arms and hands, feeling of anxiety, palpitations, muscular fatigue, and headaches. They can also cause sighing or yawning, gasping for air during speech, breath holding and clenching of the teeth. Hyperventilation Syndrome (HVS) is a disorder that often presents with chest pain and a tingling sensation of the fingertips (paresthesia) and around the mouth, as well as deep and labored breathing (causing hyperventilation), although chronic but subtle hyperventilation can cause these symptoms too. Hypocapnia is a deficiency of carbon dioxide in the blood, resulting from hyperventilation and eventually leading to alkalosis.

Mr Stefan Chmelik on Breathing Pattern Disorder, HVS (Hyperventilation Syndrome), low Co2 symptoms (hypocapnia):

Although BPD is not the cause of all chronic health problems, it certainly appears to be a complicating factor in a significant proportion of them. Rehabilitating the breathing pattern is a straight forward, if not always easy process, and is likely to be an essential step for many people in recovering from long term complex and hard to diagnose health problems. I use breathing retraining, Mindfulness and relaxation exercises often combined with acupuncture, bodywork or talking based therapy to guide people through the recovery process. We are one of the very few clinics that can offer both the Nijmegen and the Capnometer to assess breathing function.

At New Medicine Group, we believe BPD is one of the most prevalent unrecognised epidemics of modern medicine. Based on our collective experience over many years, as many as 30% of people suffering with chronic health problems have BPD as the main or complicating factor involved in their health problems. People BPD frequently present with one or several other diagnoses, including with panic attacks, asthma, chronic pain or Fibromyalgia (FMS), and MUPS, as well as PTSD.

What is Breathing Pattern Disorder?

Essentially a syndrome defined by having several of a collection of symptoms at the same time, each of which could have a separate explanation when taken individually. It is the number and severity of these symptoms appearing in the same person that define how marked the BPD is. This is worked out through physical assessment and testing, a special questionnaire (the Nijmegen) and using a Capnometer (a special machine that measures Co2 levels).

What does this mean?

Someone with BPD, HVS or hypocapnia is ‘over breathing’. This usually means that they are breathing too fast, shallowly and from the upper chest. Co2 (carbon dioxide) levels drop, and mental and physical symptoms arise as an immediate and direct physiological response (the Bohr Effect).

References: Chaitow, Bradley and Gilbert. Multidisciplinary Approaches to Breathing Pattern Disorders. Churchill Livingstone

Humphriss, Baguley, Andersson and Wagstaff. Hyperventilation in the vestibular clinic: use of the Nijmegen Questionnaire. Clinical otolaryngology and allied sciences, 2004, vol. 29, no3, pp. 232-237

Leon Chaitow on Breathing Pattern Disorders (BPD), HVS (Hyperventilation Syndrome), low Co2 symptoms (hypocapnia)

There is evidence that the effects of breathing pattern disorders (BPD), such as hyperventilation, result in a variety of negative psychological, biochemical, neurological and biomechanical influences and interferences, capable of modifying each of these three subsystems. BPD (the extreme form of which is hyperventilation), automatically increases levels of anxiety and apprehension, which may be sufficient to alter motor control and to markedly influence balance control. Hyperventilation results in respiratory alkalosis, leading to reduced oxygenation of tissues (including the brain), smooth muscle constriction, heightened pain perception, speeding up of spinal reflexes, increased excitability of the corticospinal system, hyperirritability of motor and sensory axons, changes in serum calcium and magnesium levels, and encouragement of the development of myofascial trigger points – all or any of which, in one way or another, are capable of modifying normal motor control of skeletal musculature.

Diaphragmatic and transversus abdominis tone are key features in provision of core stability, however it has been noted that reduction in the support offered to the spine, by the muscles of the torso, may occur if there is both a load challenge to the low back, combined with a breathing challenge. It has been demonstrated that, after approximately 60 seconds of hypercapneoa, the postural (tonic) and phasic functions of both the diaphragm and transversus abdominis are reduced or absent. Smooth muscle cells, now known to be widely embedded in connective tissues (including spinal discs, and lumbar fascia) constrict during periods of respiratory alkalosis, with as yet undetermined effects on joint stability and fascial tone. Breathing rehabilitation offers the potential for reducing the negative influences resulting from BPD.

BPDs are easily tested for and - with patient cooperation - are commonly correctable via a combination of manual therapy and breathing rehabilitation strategies.