when panicing-why are people told to breath into a paper bag?
818627
The medical term for the condition caused by hyperventilation is RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS. This is caused by the exhalation of excess CO2 due to rapid breathing. \n\nAs you breath deeper and quicker your pCO2 drops substantially and CO2 is released from carbonic acid in the blood. This results is an increase in blood pH. Breathing into a bag ensures that you inhale a greater percentage of CO2 and thus balance your blood pH. \n\nRespiratory alkalosis can result in loss of consciousness and coma in worst-case scenarios.\n\nThere are two observations based on this that anyone can try for themselves. First, try and hold your breath after a big breath in. Time it. Now, inhale and exhale as deep as you can as rapidly as you can for about 20-30 seconds. Now exhale strongly and hold your breath with empty lungs. You'll almost cetainly be able to beat the other time.\n\nHOWEVER, you must stop immediately after. The reason you have less of a reflex to inhale is because you have lowered your pCO2 which is the measurement the body uses to detect possible lack of oxygen. Your body does not measure oxygen levels only CO2.\n\nIt is actually possible to put yourself into a coma this way unless you make yourself inhale. This is why rebreather that filter out CO2 can be deadly if they malfunction. If you run out of oxygen but there is not build up of CO2 you will simply slip into a coma unaware.\n\nThe other phenomenon occurs when you vomit. The massive loss of acid from your stomach causes the body to go into METABOLIC ALKALOSIS. The automatic response of the body is to lower you breathing rate so that you accumulate CO2 in the blood and thus counter the alkalosis.\n\nNot that you'll be thinking, wow I'm breathing really slow now, next time you puke. But it's true.
979927
to protect your lungs. sound a little bizarrie doesnt it
660782
The previous answer is partially mistaken-I think just a mis-typing, because the rest it correct, but "pH of blood will increase (i.e. it will become more acidic)" should be the pH increases to become more basic, not acidic-Low pH is acidic.\nAsthma attacks, which cause increased CO2, can cause acidosis which often becomes the most serious aspect of the attack, not the reduction in oxygen.  Hyperventilation can result in alkylosis, but the body will render itself unconcious when this begins to happen, so that breathing can go back to normal-the O2/CO2 balance lost with hyperventilation is why people breath into a paper bag- the air in the bag will have higher CO2 levels, and thus aid in rebalancing the pH.  Alkylosis is not nearly as common as acidosis, since in order to get alkylosis you have to somehow increase the expulsion of CO2...which is a lot less common than reducing the replacement of CO2 with O2.
1150092
When you hyperventilate, you breathe out excess carbon dioxide.\n\nWhen you breath out excess carbon dioxide, the pH of your blood gets affected (it becomes more basic).\n\nBy breathing into a paper bag, you breath the lost carbon dioxide back into your system, thus preventing a severe disruption in your blood's pH.\n\n-random physician
1131995
It's like a child holding his breath until he gets what he wants. But neither method works. When the child holds his breath long enough, he passes out and then he breathes. The terrorist stops eating until he dies. So the problem is solved either way in both situations.
657026
The machine is taking a picture while you are holding your breath.  If you are breathing, everything inside your body is moving and the picture will be blurred.  If you held your breath for most of the pictures, they probably had enough information from the good pictures.  If you were breathing the whole time then they should repeat the whole thing because they cannot get good results.
538123
Best fear is what gets you zipping and is called eustress. The fear that turns you into a mental or physical frozen state is distress
496062
Its basically when you have to much stress on your hands an you freak out. Its nothing to be ashamed of but when someone have one they need there space an help to get through it. They may not exactly know what is going on at that point of time. An they may be confused in their role in life.
317350
When someone is having a panic/anxiety attack,remind them to take slow deep breaths. In through the nose,out through the mouth,and have them breathe into a paper bag or have them cup their hands and breathe into them.\nAlso talk in a soothing ,calming voice and let them know that it will soon pass. Most attacks,if gotten under control,usually pass in about 10 minutes. If the person is not familiar with the symptoms of a panic attack,or is not taking medication,this can sometimes be difficult to get their breathing under control. This is the most important though,because it is what causes them to hyperventilate,increase their heart rate,and if they panic too much,they start to have the same symptoms that mimic a heart attack. I have more info if you need personal advise. You can contact me through YA from my home page. ZOYA
39045
When your torso (chest, abdomen) receives significant force by a blow (fist, toso hitting the ground after a fall, etc), the reflex reaction is for the muscles of the torso to tense up.  This includes your abdominal muscles, muscles between your ribs (intercostals), neck, etc.  This forces the air out, and your diaphram can not overcome these muscles to inflate the lungs (when your diaphragm contracts, it causes the lungs to fill with air).  So for the second or two that you're torso muscles are in "spasm", you can't take in a breath.  They spasm as a reflex, that mother nature has built in to protect from another forceful blow that could damage your internal organs.
957272
You cant suffocate yourself by holding your breath or putting you hand over your mouth/nose. Your body has a built in survival instinct. However , if you use something over your head you just might suffocate. That is why they put warnings on things such as plastic bags that say they are not a toy.\n\nMessing with breathing is dangerous. At the least if you have no oxygen for several minutes you will suffer brain damage.
39516
Hiccups are a spasm of the diaphram.  Hold your breath and while doing so, take your middle knuckle and hold it against your windpipe.  This keeps any air from getting through.  It has always worked for me.  It's probably the same principle as people telling you to try and drink water while you are holding your breath, however I think it's more effective than drinking water, because you aren't allowing any air to get in.
1131919
Concentrate on your breathing.  If you start to panic, just start thinking slowly about your breathing, breath in and out again, and in, and out, do this slowly, don't take huge breaths or fast breaths, just in and out.  Then think of something happy, something that you enjoy, do NOT concentrate on what you are panicking about, say if you are anxious because of all the people, don't sit and stare at them, or think about them at all.  If you have to, go into the bathroom and imagine that you are somewhere else, vedge out for a minute until your nerves get calm again.  \n\nI would also suggest talking to a doctor, they can prescribe medicines that you can take when you first get that panicky feeling, or even before you get into a situation that you know you may feel anxious about.  This stuff has worked for me, I have found that I can breathe my way through just about any panic attack, I haven't had one in about seven months now.  Try it, and seriously, talk to your doctor.
737154
Oxygen gets you high. In a catastrophic emergency, you're taking giant panicked breaths. Suddenly you become euphoric, docile. You accept your fate. It's all right here. Emergency water landing - 600 miles an hour. Blank faces, calm as Hindu cows.
912081
Have you ever seen a horror film or police drama where the victim gets locked in a freezer?They always run around or excersise to try and keep warm to stay alive.This is the worst thing you can do because breathing in the cold air chills you from the inside so you can't maintain a core temperature.So probably holding your breath when cold is a natural defense against this.
412333
lay on your back and hold air in your lungs extending the arms and legs. dont have to hold your breath really. take short breaths out and longer breaths in holding for 2 or 3 seconds
334720
Panic attacks occur as we become anxious and our adrenaline levels increase.  These adrenaline rushes were inbuilt into our subconscious minds in the days when man was still living in ancient times, and came in useful when danger was around for example, a wild beast threatening his survival.  This survival instinct meant that man had the option of fighting or fleeing from the danger and this is where adrenaline was needed to deal with it.  Panic attacks are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' response.  The trouble is that in todays society, we have little need for releasing adrenaline in this way, so tension and anxiety build up within the body and mind and are shown in symptoms of stress such as panic attacks.  The good news is that many people overcome these uncomfortable and often debilitating symptoms associated with panic attacks via the use of various therapies.  Very helpful therapies include learning the art of relaxation and i would highly recommend seeing a qualified hypnotherapist or a behavioural counsellor who specialises in this area.  I always say that knowlege is power and would suggest reading a self-help book - Self-Help for your Nerves by Claire Weekes is enlightening and can be found in most local libraries.