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part one
if you doubt that overbreathing causes symptoms try this exercise…
WARNING: If you are seriously sick – e.g. your asthma is severe, you are an epileptic, suffer from panic attacks or you have a heart condition – do not do this exercise. If you feel strong discomfort you must stop immediately!
If you take very deep breaths, in and out in quick succession, for a minute or so, you will begin to experience some unpleasant symptoms, which may include dizziness, headache, wheezing, chest pains and coughing.
If you then stop breathing deeply, close your mouth and breathe very gently and softly through your nose, these symptoms will abate, often within a few minutes.
This test shows that deep breathing is not good at all! If you fail to listen to your body and continue to deep breathe, you could develop a serious migraine, asthma attack, or even pass out. What you need to know is that these symptoms are not brought on by too much oxygen, but by too little carbon dioxide.
Of course, most people would not deep breathe in the exaggerated way the above exercise suggests, and generally believe they breathe normally. Is this true? The next exercise will demonstrate what it means to have normal, healthy breathing.
part two
how healthy are you?
Everyone can do this test.
If breathing is normal the level of carbon dioxide retained in the air sacs of the lungs is around 6.5%. Doctor Buteyko devised a simple way to measure the percentage of carbon dioxide gas in the lungs, using only a stopwatch. The level of carbon dioxide correlates with the ability to hold the breath after exhalation.
Gently exhale through your nose, hold your breath (pinching your nose closed with your thumb and forefinger) and start your stopwatch. Hold only until you feel the first signs of slight discomfort or until you feel mild air starvation. Note the number of seconds and resume breathing through the nose – at no point during the exercise must your mouth be open.
How long did you hold for? If your breathing is normal you should be able to hold your breath for at least 40 – 60 seconds.
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