Breathing pattern disorder is an altered rhythm, rate or pace of breathing that has existed for a period of time causing you to breathe beyond what your body requires. This can occur with physical exertion, strong smells, cold weather, stress or other triggers. People tend to breathe quickly through the mouth, hold their shoulders elevated and breathe using the upper chest. This can cause symptoms of hyperventilation.
You may notice chest and throat tightness, chest pain around the breast bone and breathlessness. Approximately 6-12% of the population experience chronic breathing pattern disorders, but some people are more affected than others. Chronic (long-term) changes in your breathing pattern can be very subtle and may happen over a long period of time.
Does dysfunctional breathing go away?
You may experience symptoms such as a racing heart (palpitations), tingling in your fingers and breathlessness, which usually disappear once the stressful period is over. If your breathing does not return to normal after the stressful event has passed the symptoms may continue. This can occur in people experiencing anxiety.
Referral to specialist respiratory physiotherapists can help teach you to normalise your breathing pattern and limit your symptoms
