Random single automatic gasp for air / breath

[kizziee]

This has been happening over the last year.
Happens once every few hours or days.
No pain. Don't feel breathless.
I can just be sitting and get this strange single deep breath where it's like I've gasping for air. But I don't feel like I 'need' it if that makes any sense.
I'm going through an episode of anxiety so wondered if it was just an anxious thing but it started long before that kicked in.
Im two years past menopause in case that's relevant. No history of asthma or anything like that.

bump as I have exactly the same!

It can be caused by you not breathing properly. Breathing too fast, for example, when not breathless so there's no need to breathe fast.

Try consciously slowing your breathing down and ensuring that you are using your abdomen to breathe with, rather than just your ribs. Spread out one hand. With the other hand trace slowly up your little finger while breathing in for a count of 4. Pause at the top, then trace slowly down the other side of your finger while breathing out for a count of 4. Pause at the base, then repeat for each finger. This way you take five conscious, slow breaths. If you can show down the exhalation to 6 or 7, that's even better. You can do it whenever and however many times as you like, you don't need to wait until you do the gasp or sign.

And, yes, anxiety can affect your breathing patterns. The symptoms of over-breathing can be very similar to those of anxiety, so they reinforce each other.

That’s your diaphragm pulling down, which makes you breathe in. It’s the same as a hiccup. It can be due to a tummy upset, acid, stress, any number of things. It’s not serious.

I had this and it was caused by low iron. Get your levels checked maybe?

My partner has this, because she unintentionally holds her breath when anxious so her body then tries to catch up.

everyone says covid to random symptoms nowadays, but my little boy did have this as his one and only covid symptom. Sometimes it was almost a yawn.

It’s anxiety.

Are you worried about it, OP?

I think it's pretty normal TBH. I do it occasionally.

Can you start yoga/breathwork? That would definitely help. Practice alternate nostril breathing while you wait for a medical diagnosis.

Thank you for the replies and suggestions. (And for making sense of my post! I wasn't sure how to describe it.)
I'll have a look at breathing.
(Not anaemic - had a blood test not too long ago.)