What causes air hunger?

Does anyone know what causes air hunger? All the other symptoms from lyme have explanations but I don't think I've seen a concrete explanation for air hunger. It isn't a lung or heart problem from what I read because it doesn't affect stamina. Is it some kind of neurological problem in which your body says you aren't getting enough oxygen while you actually are (people have normal oxygen levels)? It's a lot different from shortness of breath as well. I'm curious to what you guys think or maybe someone knows what causes it.

The usual explanation is bartonella or babesia destroying red blood cells. This may cause jaundice or dark urine (bilirubin). I also got a bloody nose from it. Not profuse bleeding, but a slow leakage of hemoglobin into the mucus which made my snot reddish brown.

If you're getting air hunger without jaundice or loss of stamina, the more likely explanation is adrenal problems or other HPA dysfunction, which can lead to elevated levels of endorphins. The morphine-like effect of endorphins suppresses breathing. Of course, taking opiate painkillers can also cause this.

I've heard that air hunger is babesia destroying the red blood cells that transport oxygen, and/or that it's babesia "eating" the oxygen from your red blood cells. Basically babesia misbehaving with regard to red blood cells. ;) But while air hunger is "classic babesia," people also say it comes with hypothyroidism and bartonella. I have to say I find it mirthlessly amusing that we've all heard different things about what causes air hunger.

Quin said...

WalkingbyFaith said...
I thought it had to do with autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

Could be, but in that case, I'd expect other signs of autonomic dysfunction such as unstable blood pressure, or temperature dysregulation (hot/cold).

Some endocrine problems (eg thyroid) can also cause the hot/cold thing.

I actually did have the temperature problems so it might be the autonomic nervous system. I also had an unstable heart rate. If it was red blood cells being destroyed wouldn't it show on a blood test as low red blood cells?

astroman said...
Whatever the reason, be assured knowing that.............. it will go away. I had this happen when my thyroid was low.......upped med, went away. Thyoid conditions can jump around for some too, as in temporary.

Honestly, air hunger isn't a big deal. It's the one of the least concerning symptoms for lyme and co.

Coolio278 said...

astroman said...
Whatever the reason, be assured knowing that.............. it will go away. I had this happen when my thyroid was low.......upped med, went away. Thyoid conditions can jump around for some too, as in temporary.

Honestly, air hunger isn't a big deal. It's the one of the least concerning symptoms for lyme and co.

I had it happen several miles out in the woods on a mnt bike trail a few times, out there i'll admit, it was a little concerning. I had to walk back/push the bike part way once as I was getting dissy too.