Stress or anxiety commonly are causes of hyperventilation; this is known as hyperventilation syndrome. Hyperventilation can also be brought about voluntarily, by taking many deep breaths. Hyperventilation can also occur as a consequence of various lung diseases, head injury, coffee abuse or stroke (central neurogenic hyperventilation, apneustic respirations, ataxic respiration, Cheyne-Stokes respirations or Biot’s respiration). Lastly, in the case of metabolic acidosis, the body uses hyperventilation to counter the increased acidity of the blood; this is known as Kussmaul breathing.

Hyperventilation: Overbreathing. This can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, shortness of breath, a sense of unsteadiness, muscle spasms in the hands and feet, and tingling around the mouth and fingertips. All of these symptoms are the result of abnormally low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood caused by overbreathing.

Hyperventilation is often due to anxiety or panic. Other less common causes include stimulant use; excessive use of aspirin; pulmonary disease such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary embolism; infection such as pneumonia or sepsis; heart disease such as congestive heart failure or heart attack; pain; and ketoacidosis when diabetes is out of control.

Reassurance can help relax breathing. Breathing in and out of a paper bag (to increase the level of carbon dioxide in the blood) is no longer recommended (because the level of carbon dioxide can rise too high).

The opposite of hyperventilation is hypoventilation (underventilation).

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verb: -lat·ed, -lat·ing, -lates.

intransitive verb

To breathe abnormally fast or deeply so as to effect hyperventilation.

To breathe in this manner as from excitement or anxiety.

transitive verb

To subject to hyperventilation.

All you’re doing is inhaling..but you can’t breathe out.