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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 »

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Hyperventilation Syndrome »

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

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