Hyperventilation can cause wicked cramping (hexbear.net)

submitted 23 hours ago by john_brown@hexbear.net to c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net

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I got food poisoning and ended up going to the ER last night because I lost control of my upper body. Apparently hyperventilation (while puking my guts out) can reduce the amount of CO2 in your blood stream, making your blood mildly acidic. Before I went to the hospital I was laid out on the ground, unable to control my arms which were partially bent with my hands balled into tight painful fists. Thought I was dying.

So, pro tip, if you're ever hyperventilating and your upper body gets tingly and starts to cramp up, try your hardest to regulate your breath.

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[-] JoeByeThen@hexbear.net 13 points 23 hours ago

Is that why they have you breath into bag when you hyperventilate? Or is that just a trope?🤔

[-] john_brown@hexbear.net 9 points 23 hours ago

That's a great question, I think you might be right

[-] AlmightyDoorman@kbin.earth 6 points 22 hours ago

They are right, breathing back into the back increases the CO2 you breath in (the same you just breathed out so around 4% instead of nearly 0% in the normal air. And reduces the effect of the hyperventilation.