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Hyperventilation

 Hyperventilation or over-breathing, is breathing more than the body requires at that time. If you are seated but are breathing the amount of air required for a brisk walk, then you are hyperventilating. Even if you are breathing three times the normal volume of air, neither you nor your GP are likely to notice that you are breathing too much.  Because breathing is such a basic function and we tend to believe it “looks after itself”, hyperventilation can be overlooked, with serious long-term health consequences. This is hidden hyperventilation.

 The respiratory system is often the first part of the body to show symptoms related to bad breathing and many people with hidden hyperventilation have narrowed airways and/or increased mucus production. This can give you mild symptoms like a blocked or running nose or more serious conditions such as asthma, hay fever, chronic allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, coughing, and difficulty swallowing.

Several small clinical studies have shown that the Buteyko method is effective for asthma control, alleviating symptoms, reducing the need for medication and improving quality of life.  The British Guideline on the Management of Asthma 2008 grants permission for British health professionals to recommend Buteyko, stating that the method "may be considered to help patients control the symptoms of asthma". The guideline grades clinical research on Buteyko with a 'B' classification - indicating that high quality supporting clinical trials are available. British Thoracic Society & Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). British Guideline on the Management of Asthma. Guideline No. 101. Edinburgh:SIGN; 2008. LINKS

 NOTE Buteyko is not about throwing away medications. You are strongly encouraged to consult with your GP. You must not reduce your prescribed steroids without medical supervision.

 A summary of the Buteyko Method for GPs can be found here.  GPs are busy people and may not know of Buteyko or that Buteyko has been listed in the UK Guideline for Asthma Management since 2008.