Dysfunctional breathing

Abstract

Dysfunctional breathing encompasses a range of breathing pattern abnormalities with breathlessness and overbreathing in the absence of or in excess of any physiological abnormality. Hyperventilation syndrome is a form of dysfunctional breathing and the terms are often used interchangeably. Dysfunctional breathing may occur as part of a spectrum of physical symptoms (e.g. chest pain, palpitations/tachycardia, fatigue, dizziness, paraesthesiae, headache, diarrhoea, inappropriate sweating, etc.) from anxiety or panic disorder.