About Us | Privacy | Site Map
Font Size
A
A
A


Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation Overview

Hyperventilation is breathing in excess of what the body needs. This is sometimes called overbreathing. Rapid or deep breathing is sometimes seen in very serious conditions such as infection, bleeding, or heart attack.

Hyperventilation syndrome is more specific and relates to an overbreathing pattern that happens under certain conditions. This overbreathing results in a group of symptoms.

Although hyperventilation syndrome may seem very similar to panic attacks, the 2 disorders are different.

  • Those with panic disorder often have emotional complaints (for example, fear of death or closed-in spaces) with their attacks.
  • If you have hyperventilation syndrome, however, you will have certain symptoms without these emotional complaints (although you still may be anxious).



Next: Hyperventilation Causes »

Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend

Depression: Learn about the Symptoms

Privacy Policy

Women's Health

Find out what women really need.

Are You Depressed? Take the Quiz


Hyperventilation

Stress »

Stress Overview

Everyone is familiar with stress. We experience it in varying forms and degrees every day. In small doses, stress can actually be beneficial to us. It is only when the stress becomes too great, affecting our physical or mental functioning, that it becomes a problem.

  • In small doses, stressors can help give us increased energy and alertness, even helping to keep us focused on the problem at hand. This type of stress is good. People may refer to the experience of this type of stress as feeling "pumped" or "wired."
  • As the level of pressure gets too great, stress eventually surpasses our ability to cope with it in a positive way. Often, people describe themselves as being stressed out, burned out, or at wits end. At this point, it is important to find positive and productive ways to deal with the stress and, more importantly, to address the person or situation that is causing the stress.
  • Everyone reacts to stress diffe...

Read the Stress article »



Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Hyperventilation Syndrome »

Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) represents a relatively common ED presentation that is readily recognized by most clinicians.

Read More on eMedicine »

Featured Topics

Medical Dictionary


or A-Z List