CAPNOGRAPHY

What Is It
Capnography is the measurement of CO2 in the air that you breathe out. By breathing through a nasal cannula the CO2 levels are measured by a machine and the levels are recorded on a computer screen. The graph that is produced is assessed by a trained physiotherapist in conjunction with a physical assessment of your breathing pattern. Any alterations that are required to help you breathe more affectively can be done while the computer screen is visualized. Breathing exercises for you to practice at home or during work/sport are also reviewed at this time.

Why Have Breathing Assessed
In people with a healthy heart and lungs, the most common breathing fault is ‘overbreathing’. This has also been termed ‘hyperventilation’. Overbreathing occurs when a person breathes too quickly, too deeply and/or with a poor pattern. Most people are not aware of their deficits until having a formal assessment. The most common causes of overbreathing are:
• Anxiety/stress
• Pain(due to trauma, fibromyalgia, repetitive strain, or chronic)
• Over-training in sport
• Personality (type ‘A’)
• Weakness causing muscle overuse or ‘bracing’
When too much CO2 is exhaled your body becomes hypocapnic. Hypocapnia causes an increased pH of the blood which causes muscle constriction and decreased oxygenation.

The symptoms that you may experience as a result of overbreathing and hypocapnia include:

• Muscle fatigue or stiffness
• Headaches, migraines
• Tingling/numbness
• Heart arrhythmia or hypertension
• Poor concentration/memory
• Asthma
• Panic attacks or chest pain
• Stomach cramps, irritable bowel
• Frequent sighing

Why Come To Us
Our physiotherapy staff have the training and the equipment to accurately assess your breathing efficiency while at rest or during activity. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms most of the time or only in some situations, you can be informed if your breathing may be at fault. Training/treatment sessions can be arranged to be the most effective for changing your breathing pattern for the better.

Good Link
Better Physiology www.betterphysiology.com