Can adults have breath-holding spells?
Individuals demonstrating breath-holding episodes may experience cyanosis and, in some cases, death resulting from complications related to loss of consciousness (Paulson, 1963). To date, no prevalence information is available concerning the occurrence of breath-holding spells in adults.
What causes involuntary breath holding in adults?
Usually, breath holding occurs under stress or threat. It can also occur when we are anticipating something or wanting something to happen: this is the origin of the phrase, “Don’t hold your breath!” when expected things may not come true.
What causes cyanotic breath-holding spells?
Cyanotic breath-holding spells are usually caused by anger or frustration. If the child’s face turns white, it’s called pallid breath-holding spell. The child may cry a little bit or not at all before having the spell. Pallid breath-holding spells are usually caused by the child being startled or in pain.
Can breath-holding spells cause death?
Serious complications of breath holding spells are rare, but cases of sudden death, prolonged asystole, and status epilepticus have been reported. A detailed history and exam are important to diagnose theses spells and help distinguish from epileptic seizures and other causes of syncope.
Why do I stop breathing when I cry?
When you experience intense emotions and let your body release it (by crying) you might experience shortness of breath and rapid breathing. This happens because when you are stressed, the airways between the nose and the lungs become tight.
What is Paradox breathing?
Paradoxical breathing is often a sign of breathing problems. It causes the chest to contract during inhaling and to expand during exhaling, the opposite of how it should move.
What is shudder breathing?
Acute trauma to the chest is one cause that will instantly lead to intercostal contractions. These, in turn, can cause a paradoxical motion in breathing. This is also called stutter breathing or hitched breath. In this case, emergency action must be taken to help the individual breathe.
Are breath-holding spells genetic?
Breath-holding spells are more common in children with: Genetic conditions, such as Riley-Day syndrome or Rett syndrome. Iron deficiency anemia. A family history of breath-holding spells (parents may have had similar spells when they were children)
What are the 2 types of breath holding syncope events?
Breath holding spells have been reported to present to medical attention as an ALTE. These are typically divided into two types: cyanotic and pallid. In cyanotic breath holding spells, there is usually an emotional trigger such as anger or frustration.
Are breath-holding spells normal?
Also called breath-holding attacks, these spells are somewhat common and can happen in healthy children. They can look like seizures, but they’re not. The spells don’t hurt the children, and many outgrow them by age 6 or 7. They are most common in 2-year-olds.
Why is it impossible to hold your breath indefinitely?
It is impossible to hold your breathe forever because the pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood changes as you hold your breath. When you try to hold your breathe forever, eventually the urge to breathe becomes irresistible. When you attempt to hold your breathe forever, your body becomes starved of oxygen.
What does it mean to have a breath holding spell?
Breath-holding spells (BHS) are the occurrence of episodic apnea in children, possibly associated with loss of consciousness, and changes in postural tone.
Why does a child turn blue during a breath holding spell?
Cyanotic Breath-Holding Spell. A child turns blue during this type of spell. “Cyanosis” is the medical term for taking on a bluish or purplish tone. This coloring is due to lack of oxygen in the blood. Pallid Breath-Holding Spell. A child appears pale rather than blue during this type of spell.
When to use antiseizure for breath holding spells?
The use of antiseizure medications is almost never recommended for breath-holding spells. This is true even in cases where the child shows brief convulsive movements during a spell. In rare cases, a breath-holding spell may evolve into an actual epileptic seizure. Still, this typically does not warrant the use of an antiseizure medication.
What does pallid breath holding spell look like?
Syncope is a loss of consciousness, or fainting. Pallid breath-holding spells resemble fainting. They can mimic other kinds of syncope. For instance, they can look like vasovagal syncope. Vasovagal syncope happens because of an emotional trigger, such as the sight of blood.