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What Causes Weakness, Difficult Breathing And Fainting After An Asthma Attack?

Posted on Sat, 10 May 2014

Question: I had a bad asthma attack last night,after about two hours I finally got it under control,however I had a series of violent spasms afterwards,this has never happened before

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Need more information Detailed Answer: Hi, Sorry to hear that. I need further information to answer your questions. Where were the spasms? Can you describe what they were like? Did you have any associated symptoms? Have they resolved now? I look forward to hearing back from you. Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (2 hours later)

my whole body convulsed,the harder ones my body shook fopr a couple of seconds followed by a gasp,I am better though feel very weak today,when I lay back down I had a couple of very small body jerks

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (12 hours later)

Brief Answer: Hyperventilation Detailed Answer: hi, from what your describe it sounds although you may have been hyperventilating. When alveolar ventilation is excessive, more carbon dioxide will be removed from the blood stream than the body can produce. This causes the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood stream to fall and produces a state known as hypocapnia (too little carbon dioxide in the blood stream). The body normally attempts to compensate for this metabolically. If excess ventilation cannot be compensated metabolically, it will lead to a rise in blood pH. This rise in blood pH is known as respiratory alkalosis. When hyperventilation leads to respiratory alkalosis, it may cause a number of physical symptoms: dizziness, tingling in the lips, hands or feet, headache, weakness, fainting and seizures. In extreme cases it can cause carpopedal spasms (flapping and contraction of the hands and feet). I hope your feeling better today. if not then I would seek medical attention. best wishes

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj