hyperventilation

{{Short description|Excessive breathing}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}

{{Distinguish|hypoventilation|Hyperventilation syndrome}}

{{Infobox medical condition (new)

| name = Hyperventilation

| synonyms = Overbreathing

| field = Pulmonology

| symptoms = Rapid breathing to the point where the body eliminates more carbon dioxide than it can produce

| complications = Fainting

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Hyperventilation is irregular breathing that occurs when the rate or tidal volume of breathing eliminates more carbon dioxide than the body can produce.{{cite book|last1=Guyton|first1=Arthur C.|authorlink1= Arthur Guyton |last2=Hall|first2=John E.|title=Textbook of medical physiology|date=2005|publisher=W.B. Saunders|location=Philadelphia|isbn=0-7216-0240-1|page=397|edition=11th}}{{cite book|last1=Longo|first1=Dan |display-authors=etal|title=Harrison's principles of internal medicine.|date=2012|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York|isbn=978-0071748896|page=2185|edition=18th}}{{cite book|last1=Brandis|first1=Kerry|title=Acid-base Physiology|date=30 August 2015|url=http://www.anaesthesiamcq.com/AcidBaseBook/ab6_2.php|format=Reviewed in 2006 by the American Thoracic Society|chapter=6.2 Respiratory Alkalosis - Causes}} This leads to hypocapnia, a reduced concentration of carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood. The body normally attempts to compensate for this homeostatically, but if this fails or is overridden, the blood pH will rise, leading to respiratory alkalosis. This increases the affinity of oxygen to hemoglobin and makes it harder for oxygen to be released into body tissues from the blood. The symptoms of respiratory alkalosis include dizziness, tingling in the lips, hands, or feet, headache, weakness, fainting, and seizures. In extreme cases, it may cause carpopedal spasms, a flapping and contraction of the hands and feet.{{cite web|last1=Byrd|first1=Ryland P Jr.|title=Respiratory Alkalosis: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology|url=http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/301680-clinica|publisher=eMedicine|date=5 August 2016}}

Factors that may induce or sustain hyperventilation include: physiological stress, anxiety or panic disorder, high altitude, head injury, stroke, respiratory disorders such as asthma, pneumonia, or hyperventilation syndrome,{{cite web |url=http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic270.htm |title=eMedicine - Hyperventilation Syndrome: Article by Edward Newton, MD |access-date=29 November 2016 }} cardiovascular problems such as pulmonary embolisms, anemia, an incorrectly calibrated medical respirator, and adverse reactions to certain drugs.

Hyperventilation can also be induced intentionally to achieve an altered state of consciousness such as in the choking game, during breathwork, or in an attempt to extend a breath-hold dive.