Dr. Natelson has found that about 20% of people with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) hyperventilate or take rapid, shallow breaths when they stand. (A small percentage may hyperventilate when they lie down as well.) Other studies suggest that hyperventilation during exercise may be common.
The hyperventilation is not associated with anxiety or other psychological factors but appears to be caused by autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
By increasing the levels of CO2 released into the air the levels of CO2 levels in the blood are reduced. Reduced blood CO2 levels can cause fatigue, pain and other symptoms that are often found in ME/CFS and FM.
Two Tests For Hyperventilation
A Simple Hyperventilation Test
Hypocapnia is a biological marker for orthostatic intolerance in some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Natelson BH, Intriligator R, Cherniack NS, Chandler HK, Stewart JM.
Dyn Med. 2007 Jan 30;6:2.
The hyperventilation is not associated with anxiety or other psychological factors but appears to be caused by autonomic nervous system dysfunction.By increasing the levels of CO2 released into the air the levels of CO2 levels in the blood are reduced. Reduced blood CO2 levels can cause fatigue, pain and other symptoms that are often found in ME/CFS and FM.
Two Tests For Hyperventilation
A Simple Hyperventilation Test
- Most people can hold their breath for 45 seconds or more. Take a breath and hold it: if you can only hold for your breath for 35 seconds or less you could be a chronic hyperventilator.
- Stand up straight for 8 minutes.
- If you start to feel ill stop and rest for a while.
- Repeat the test but time breathe into a paper bag held across your nose and your mouth. If your symptoms disappear when you are breathing into the bag you may be hyperventilating.
Hypocapnia is a biological marker for orthostatic intolerance in some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Natelson BH, Intriligator R, Cherniack NS, Chandler HK, Stewart JM.
Dyn Med. 2007 Jan 30;6:2.
