Hyperventilation is breathing that is deeper and more rapid than
normal. It causes a decrease in the amount of a gas in the blood
(called carbon dioxide, or CO2). This decrease may make you feel
lightheaded, 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. Some causes of sudden
hyperventilation include anxiety, fever, some medicines, intense
exercise, and emotional stress. Hyperventilation 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 conditions,
such as lung diseases or panic disorder. Women experience
hyperventilation more often than men. Most people who have
problems with hyperventilation are 15 to 55 years old.
Hyperventilation may occur when people travel to elevations over
6000 ft (2000 m). Symptoms can be similar to symptoms that are
caused by another, mo