PANIC, ANXIETY AND NORMALS ALL SHOW DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CARBON DIOXIDE

Date: 02/08/2008


There may be individual differences in the extent of symptoms associated with one?s anxiety, but one thing is held in common with all anxiety/PANIC patients; They all have lower levels of Carbon Dioxide in their blood. First, I will give the levels and then explain them.


Normals 40mmHg of C02 in PC02 or expired air

Anxiety 30mmHg of C02 in PCO2 or expired air

Panic Patients 20mmHg of C02 in PC02 or expired air


The theoretical Normal person would have a blood level of 40 mmHg of C02 on board at all times. When I say normal I do not mean average; I mean a truly proper healthy breather. They regulate their exhalation unconsciously (usually) to maintain a certain amount of C02 in their blood. Why is this important? Most important about C02 is its ability to relax a person and to relax the blood vessels primarily in the brain, the heart and the periphery. This leads to greater blood flow to these areas and more oxygen.


An anxiety patient will have a blood level of C02 around 30 mmHg leading to cold hands, a heart not receiving sufficient 02 on an on-going basis, and a compromised cerebral cortex, also not receiving enough 0yxgen. The consequences in all three areas can be significant. Those might include: cold hands and feet, Raynaud's Syndrome, head aches, Migraines, memory loss, heart attack, palpitations, or arhythmias.


The Panic patient with a blood level of 20mmHg will definitely feel the effects of a significantly lower level in C02 level. This person will experience many effects, including vaso-constriction and spasm, light-headedness, dizziness, visual disturbances, impaired coronary blood flow, weakness, heart palpitations, chest pains, tension, peripheral tingling and numbness, a full blown stress response, fear of death, restlessness, heightened vigilance, catastrophic thinking and much more.


What kind of breathing is the anxiety or panic person doing? They are hyperventilating or over-breathing. The best definition of hyperventilation I have found is the following: Hyperventilation means you are blowing out C02 too fast. That?s all! By slowing down one?s exhalation the above symptoms can be reversed.


This is not easy for the person with panic or anxiety is used to a lower level of C02 and the feelings associated with a higher level of C02 on board does not feel normal to them. It takes more time to accomplish this shifting, an analysis of one?s emotional response to issues, and then a very conscious effort to change that.


By Rosemary MacGregor RN, MS info@themangotreespa
506 2786 5300


Until you know your C02 level you will not know if you are breathing correctly. Most people are hyperventilating or over-breathing and don?t know it. You have to measure your exhalation to know if you are over-breathing. There is no other way to know.

http://www.theMangoTreeSpa.com