Archive · 10 Nov 2025
New Study Links Abnormal Breathing to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Imagine your body's breathing is like a well-tuned engine.
For people with chronic fatigue syndrome, this engine sometimes sputters.
Scientists found that many of these individuals don't breathe quite right.
This might mean they sigh a lot, breathe too fast, or don't fill their lungs fully.
Sometimes, their chest and belly muscles don't work together perfectly when breathing.
This 'abnormal breathing' can make people feel tired, dizzy, and have trouble thinking, just like chronic fatigue itself.
Even though they get the same amount of oxygen as others, their breathing isn't as efficient.
The scientists think fixing this breathing problem could help people feel better.
They even found that sometimes people don't know they are breathing strangely.
This discovery might lead to new ways to help people with chronic fatigue syndrome feel less exhausted.
A new study suggests abnormal breathing patterns are common in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Researchers found that 71% of CFS patients studied experienced hyperventilation, dysfunctional breathing, or both.
These breathing issues can manifest as deep sighs, rapid or shallow breathing, or lack of muscle coordination.
Symptoms associated with abnormal breathing, such as dizziness and exhaustion, overlap with CFS symptoms.
The findings indicate that addressing breathing problems could offer a new therapeutic target for CFS patients.
- Who
- Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.
- What
- A study found that a significant majority of chronic fatigue syndrome patients experience abnormal breathing patterns, including hyperventilation and dysfunctional breathing, which may contribute to or mimic symptoms of the condition.
- When
- Results published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.
- Where
- The study was conducted by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the US.
- Why
- To investigate the link between breathing abnormalities and the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, suggesting it could be a new treatment target.
Dysfunctional Breathing and Hyperventilation as Primary Cause
Dysfunctional Breathing and Hyperventilation as Exacerbating Factor
Symptom Correlation
Dysfunctional Breathing and Hyperventilation as Primary Cause
Dysfunctional breathing and hyperventilation can cause symptoms similar to chronic fatigue, such as dizziness, difficulty focusing, shortness of breath, and exhaustion.
Dysfunctional Breathing and Hyperventilation as Exacerbating Factor
Breathing problems could worsen or directly contribute to post-exertional malaise, where symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome get worse after exercise.
Awareness of Breathing Issues
Dysfunctional Breathing and Hyperventilation as Primary Cause
Patients can have dysfunctional breathing without being aware of it, and it can occur even at rest.
Dysfunctional Breathing and Hyperventilation as Exacerbating Factor
The study identified specific breathing patterns during exercise, suggesting external stressors might reveal or worsen the issue.
- Study Focus
- Investigating abnormal breathing patterns in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients.
- Participants
- 57 diagnosed with CFS and 25 healthy individuals.
- Breathing Issues Found
- 71% of CFS patients experienced hyperventilation, dysfunctional breathing, or both.
- Types of Abnormal Breathing
- Deep sighs, overly rapid breathing, shallow breathing, loss of coordination between chest and abdomen.
- Key Finding
- Dysfunctional breathing and hyperventilation are common in CFS and may be a new therapeutic target.
- Publication
- Frontiers in Medicine