Treatment
Treating the underlying cause of the hyperventilation is normally the first step to counter the condition.
Other
- The patient should be encouraged to be calm and exercise control over his breathing. If this fails then the patient must be taken to a hospital to check out the causes of hyperventilation.
- Oxygen may be administered to reduce tissue hypoxia. This must be continued until hypoxia is clinically ruled out.
- In case the patient is unconcious care should be taken in order not to block the airway
- There may be a requirement to admnister parenteral drugs to reduce anxiety and to slow excessive breathing
- Hyperventilation syndrome patients may require behavior therapy or other psychiatric treatments
- Breathing and relaxation techniques are known to benefit hyperventilation patients
Breathing into a paper bag is no longer recommended.