A recent study published in Frontiers in Medicine has shown that most people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome may also suffer from abnormal breathing patterns.
The study included 57 people who had been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and 25 people who had not been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and who were matched in terms of age and activity level. All of the participants completed two days of cardiopulmonary exercise testing. During the tests, participants had their oxygen consumption, heart rates, blood pressure, and more measured. Breathing patterns, including respiratory rate, volume, and chronic hyperventilation, were also measured. People with chronic fatigue syndrome tend to suffer from a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion, including a worsening of fatigue and brain fog. This study sought to determine whether abnormal or dysfunctional breathing during exercise is tied to chronic fatigue syndrome.
The results showed that 71% of the patients with chronic fatigue syndrome showed abnormal breathing patterns such as dysfunctional breathing, hyperventilation, or excessive breathing due to exercise, while only 32% of the control group exhibited these issues. About 42% of the chronic fatigue patients showed dysfunctional breathing compared to 16% of the control group, and 32% of the chronic fatigue patients hyperventilated compared to only 4% of the control group. Nine patients with chronic fatigue syndrome had both dysfunctional breathing and hyperventilation, while none of the participants in the control group had both issues.
The authors stated that these previously unknown breathing issues among chronic fatigue syndrome patients are probably involved in making symptoms worse, especially after exercise. Both dysfunctional breathing and hyperventilation can cause symptoms similar to those of chronic fatigue syndrome, including exhaustion, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Yoga or other exercises that involve regulated breathing, such as swimming, may be a simple and cost-effective way to help chronic fatigue patients address potential breathing abnormalities and manage their symptoms.
Sources: Frontiers in Medicine, Science Daily