Hingamispaugu

Hingamispaugu, also known as a respiration pause or breath hold, refers to the voluntary or involuntary cessation of breathing for a period. This can occur during various physiological and behavioral processes. In humans, breath holding is a common practice in activities like swimming, freediving, and certain yoga exercises where controlled oxygen deprivation is a goal. The body's response to breath holding includes physiological changes such as an increase in heart rate initially, followed by a decrease as oxygen levels drop, and a buildup of carbon dioxide.

Involuntary breath holding can happen in response to strong emotions like fear or surprise, or as a reflex mechanism in certain medical conditions. The mammalian diving reflex, for example, involves a significant breath hold response when the face is submerged in cold water, conserving oxygen for vital organs. The duration a person can hold their breath is influenced by factors like physical training, lung capacity, metabolic rate, and mental state. While short, controlled breath holds can have some perceived benefits, prolonged or uncontrolled breath holding can be dangerous and lead to hypoxia, loss of consciousness, and potentially more severe consequences. The study of breath holding falls under physiology and is relevant to fields such as sports science, medicine, and diving safety.