Hyperventilation is irregular
breathing
Breathing (or ventilation) is the process of moving air into and from the lungs to facilitate gas exchange with the internal environment, mostly to flush out carbon dioxide and bring in oxygen.
All aerobic creatures need oxygen for cellula ...
that occurs when the rate or
tidal volume
Tidal volume (symbol VT or TV) is the volume of air moved into or out of the lungs during a normal breath. In a healthy, young human adult, tidal volume is approximately 500 ml per inspiration or 7 ml/kg of body mass.
Mechanical vent ...
of
breathing
Breathing (or ventilation) is the process of moving air into and from the lungs to facilitate gas exchange with the internal environment, mostly to flush out carbon dioxide and bring in oxygen.
All aerobic creatures need oxygen for cellula ...
eliminates more
carbon dioxide than the body can produce.
This leads to
hypocapnia
Hypocapnia (from the Greek words υπό meaning ''below normal'' and καπνός ''kapnós'' meaning ''smoke''), also known as hypocarbia, sometimes incorrectly called acapnia, is a state of reduced carbon dioxide in the blood. Hypocapnia usually ...
, 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
Blood is a body fluid in the circulatory system of humans and other vertebrates that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells, and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. Blood in the cir ...
will rise, leading to
respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis is a medical condition in which increased respiration elevates the blood pH beyond the normal range (7.35–7.45) with a concurrent reduction in arterial levels of carbon dioxide. This condition is one of the four primary di ...
. 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.
[ hyperventilation include: ]physiological stress
Stress, either physiological, biological or psychological, is an organism's response to a stressor such as an environmental condition. Stress is the body's method of reacting to a condition such as a threat, challenge or physical and psycholog ...
, anxiety
Anxiety is an emotion which is characterized by an unpleasant state of inner turmoil and includes feelings of dread over anticipated events. Anxiety is different than fear in that the former is defined as the anticipation of a future threat wh ...
or panic disorder
Panic disorder is a mental and behavioral disorder, specifically an anxiety disorder characterized by reoccurring unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden periods of intense fear that may include palpitations, sweating, shaking, sho ...
, high altitude, head injury, stroke, respiratory disorders such as asthma
Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, co ...
, pneumonia, or hyperventilation syndrome,anemia
Anemia or anaemia (British English) is a blood disorder in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen due to a lower than normal number of red blood cells, or a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin. When anemia comes on slowly, t ...
, 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
The choking game or blackout challenge is the act of intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain with the goal of inducing temporary loss of consciousness and euphoria.
Reasons for practice
Limited research has been conducted regarding motivati ...
, during breathwork, or in an attempt to extend a breath-hold dive.
See also
* List of terms of lung size and activity
Following are terms that specify a type of lung size and/or activity. More specific definitions may be found in individual articles.
*Eupnea – normal breathing
*Apnea – absence of breathing
*Bradypnea – decreased breathing rate
*Dyspnea or '' ...
* Control of respiration
The control of ventilation refers to the physiological mechanisms involved in the control of breathing, which is the movement of air into and out of the lungs. Ventilation facilitates respiration. Respiration refers to the utilization of oxygen and ...
*Choking game
The choking game or blackout challenge is the act of intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain with the goal of inducing temporary loss of consciousness and euphoria.
Reasons for practice
Limited research has been conducted regarding motivati ...
a game which may involve hyperventilation in order to induce temporary syncope and euphoria
Euphoria ( ) is the experience (or affect) of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness. Certain natural rewards and social activities, such as aerobic exercise, laughter, listening to or making music and da ...
* Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis is a medical condition in which increased respiration elevates the blood pH beyond the normal range (7.35–7.45) with a concurrent reduction in arterial levels of carbon dioxide. This condition is one of the four primary di ...
* Kussmaul breathing
* Shallow water blackout, the role of hyperventilation in some drowning incidents
References
External links
{{Authority control
Breathing abnormalities