Causes of BPD

Poor breathing habits can result as a response to:

• Anxiety.
• Prolonged stress.
• Pre-existing disease.

Why does BPD happen?

When breathing becomes faster and/or deeper, more carbon dioxide is exhaled from the lungs.

As carbon dioxide levels drop, adrenaline is released into the blood. The  heart and breathing rate increase and blood flow is diverted from the stomach to working muscles.

There is an alteration to the normal mechanics of breathing with overuse of the accessory muscles of breathing in the chest, neck and shoulders. The person may breathe through their mouth which can dry and cool the airways causing bronchospasm and coughing. It can also mean that the person swallows air into the stomach.

However, if this over breathing becomes more permanent, the brain recognises this lower level of carbon dioxide and accepts it as being normal, and the body remains on “high alert”.

This illustration shows some of the potential causes of the BPD cycle.