OverviewHyperventilation is breathing that is deeper and more rapid than normal. It causes a decrease in the amount of a gas in the blood. (This gas is called carbon dioxide, or CO2.) The decrease may make you feel lightheaded. You may have a rapid heartbeat and be short of breath. It also can lead to numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, anxiety, fainting, and sore chest muscles. Show
Some causes of sudden hyperventilation include anxiety, fever, some medicines, intense exercise, and emotional stress. It also can occur because of problems caused by asthma or emphysema or after a head injury. But it occurs most often in people who are nervous or tense, breathe shallowly, and have other medical problems, such as lung diseases or panic disorder. It occurs more often in women than men. Most people who have it are 15 to 55 years old. It may occur when people travel to elevations over 6000 ft (2000 m). Symptoms can be like ones from another more serious medical problem, such as a lung problem. Acute (sudden) hyperventilation is usually triggered by acute stress, anxiety, or emotional upset. Chronic (recurring) hyperventilation may be a lasting problem for people with other diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, or lung cancer. Many women have problems with hyperventilation when they are pregnant. But it usually goes away on its own after the baby is born. In many cases, hyperventilation can be controlled by learning proper breathing techniques. Symptoms of hyperventilationSymptoms usually last 20 to 30 minutes. They may include:
Other symptoms may occur less often. You may not realize that they are directly related to hyperventilation. These symptoms can include:
Hyperventilation isn't a disease. But you may need to be checked by your doctor if you keep having symptoms. If you have recurring symptoms, you might be diagnosed with a condition called hyperventilation syndrome (HVS). Treatment for hyperventilation depends on the cause. Home treatment is usually all that's needed for mild symptoms. Medical treatment may be needed for hyperventilation symptoms that are moderate to severe, that last for a long time, that come back, or that interfere with your daily activities. Treatment usually includes reassurance, stress reduction measures, breathing lessons, or medicine. Check Your SymptomsDo you have problems with hyperventilation? Hyperventilation is breathing that is faster than normal. How old are you? Less than 12 years Less than 12 years 12 years or older 12 years or older Are you male or female?
Have you noticed irregular heartbeats or heart rate changes even when you are not hyperventilating? Yes Arrhythmia or heart rate changes when not hyperventilating No Arrhythmia or heart rate changes when not hyperventilating Do you think there could be a breathing problem other than hyperventilation? Yes Respiratory problem other than hyperventilation No Respiratory problem other than hyperventilation Do you think you have a breathing problem other than hyperventilation? Yes Respiratory problem other than hyperventilation No Respiratory problem other than hyperventilation Did you pass out completely (lose consciousness)? If you are answering for someone else: Is the person unconscious now? (If you are answering this question for yourself, say no.) Are you back to your normal level of alertness? After passing out, it's normal to feel a little confused, weak, or lightheaded when you first wake up or come to. But unless something else is wrong, these symptoms should pass pretty quickly and you should soon feel about as awake and alert as you normally do. Yes Has returned to normal after loss of consciousness No Has returned to normal after loss of consciousness Did the loss of consciousness occur during the past 24 hours? Yes Loss of consciousness in past 24 hours No Loss of consciousness in past 24 hours Are you having trouble breathing (more than a stuffy nose)? Yes Difficulty breathing more than a stuffy nose No Difficulty breathing more than a stuffy nose Would you describe the problem as severe, moderate, or mild? Severe Severe difficulty breathing Moderate Moderate difficulty breathing Mild Mild difficulty breathing Can you control your breathing? Some people can control their hyperventilation by breathing into a paper bag or using different breathing techniques. Yes Able to control hyperventilation No Not able to control hyperventilation Do you feel lightheaded or dizzy, like you are going to faint? It's normal for some people to feel a little lightheaded when they first stand up. But anything more than that may be serious. Are you still hyperventilating after 30 minutes of home treatment? Yes Has tried more than 30 minutes of home treatment without improvement No Has tried more than 30 minutes of home treatment without improvement Do you hyperventilate often? Does the problem interfere with your daily activities? Yes Hyperventilation interferes with daily activities No Hyperventilation interferes with daily activities Are you having more frequent or severe problems with hyperventilation? Yes Symptoms are becoming more frequent or severe No Symptoms are becoming more frequent or severe Have you had problems with hyperventilation for more than a week? Yes Hyperventilation problems for more than a week No Hyperventilation problems for more than a week Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:
Try Home TreatmentYou have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:
Severe trouble breathing means:
Moderate trouble breathing means:
Mild trouble breathing means:
Symptoms of a heart attack may include:
For men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or pressure. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain. Make an AppointmentBased on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
Call 911 NowBased on your answers, you need emergency care. Call 911 or other emergency services now. Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital. Seek Care TodayBased on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.
Seek Care NowBased on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
Call 911 NowBased on your answers, you need emergency care. Call 911 or other emergency services now. After you call 911, the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength (325 mg) or 2 to 4 low-dose (81 mg) aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself. Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital. Respiratory Problems, Age 12 and Older Respiratory Problems, Age 11 and Younger Change in Heartbeat Self-CareHome treatment may help you control your breathing and stop hyperventilation. Always try steps to control your breathing or belly-breathe first. If these techniques don't work and you don't have other health problems, you might try breathing in and out of a paper bag that covers your nose and mouth. First, sit down and concentrate on your breathing.
If you have episodes of hyperventilation that last a long time or occur often, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. When to call for help during self-careCall a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:
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Preparing For Your AppointmentCreditsCurrent as of: March 9, 2022 Author: Healthwise Staff What respiratory rate is considered hyperventilation?People who overbreathe tend to overuse the upper-chest, hardly managing any movement of the diaphragm. The rate of breathing varies between 15-20 breaths per minute and may rise to 30 during an attack. The rhythm is often erratic and irregular deep breaths, sighs and yawns are common.
What is hyperventilation called?Hyperventilation is rapid and deep breathing. It is also called overbreathing, and it may leave you feeling breathless.
What is hyperventilation example?You breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Excessive breathing creates a low level of carbon dioxide in your blood. This causes many of the symptoms of hyperventilation. You may hyperventilate from an emotional cause such as during a panic attack.
What happens to respiration during hyperventilation?This deep, quick breathing changes the gas exchange in your lungs. Normally, you breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. But when you hyperventilate, the you breathe out more carbon dioxide than usual so that levels in your bloodstream drop.
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