Doctor's Notes on Hyperventilation Syndrome Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Hyperventilation is a medical term that refers to overbreathing. In this case, ventilation through the lungs exceeds the metabolic demand on the body. Hyperventilation is normal after strenuous exercise. Many cases of acute, or sudden, hyperventilation come on when experiencing panic, anxiety, or emotional condition. Hyperventilation, can also be caused by a range of medical conditions, including heart attack, anemia, congestive heart failure, fever, sepsis, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among others.
Symptoms and signs of hyperventilation include dizziness and lightheadedness. Other associated symptoms can include a sense of unsteadiness, chest pain or discomfort, rapid heart rate, and a tingling sensation around the mouth and in the fingertips or toes. It is also common to experience shortness of breath, or the feeling that you cannot take in enough air.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Quiz

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is the same as adult-onset asthma.
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Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety as a medical condition is characterized by worry, fear, nervousness, shortness of breath, sleep problems and other symptoms. Diarrhea, tremors, and rapid heart rate are some physical symptoms of severe anxiety, which may arise from a mental or physical condition, drug use, or some combination of these causes. Treatment can include medication and psychotherapy. -
Aspirin Poisoning
Aspirin poisoning is either accidental or intentional. Symptoms of aspirin poisoning include ringing in the ears, impaired hearing, rapid breathing, dehydration, vomiting, fever, and double vision. The treatment of aspirin poisoning is cared for in a hospital setting. -
Cancer Anxiety
Anxiety and distress can affect the quality of life of patients with cancer and their families. Patients living with cancer can feel different levels of distress. There are certain risk factors for serious distress in people with cancer. Screening is done to find out if the patient needs help adjusting to cancer. -
Fainting
Fainting or syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness. Causes of fainting include vasovagal, situational, postural, cardiac, neurologic, and psychogenic. Treatment of fainting depends on the cause. -
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a condition in which a person's body overheats due to fatigue, exercising or working in a hot environment, or dehydration. They elderly and young children under the age of 5 are at a greater risk for developing heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion in an adults and children include clammy skin, thirst, weak and rapid pulse, vomiting or nausea, headache, sweating heavily, muscle cramps, and weakness. Treatment is to place the affected person in a cool place, try to hydrate the individual, and cool their body with a cool mist of water, or cool (not cold) bath. Heat exhaustion can be prevented if precautions are taken. All cases of heat exhaustion should be evaluated by a medical professional. -
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are heat-related illnesses. Other heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and heat rash. Heat stroke is the most severe form of these conditions, and requires immediate medical treatment by calling 911. Heat exhaustion usually occurs when you play or work in a hot, humid environment and you lose fluids through sweat. This causes the body to overheat and become dehydrated. In heat exhaustion, the body temperature may be high, but not above 104 F (40 C), and medical treatment may be necessary. In contrast, heat stroke (also called heatstroke, sunstroke, or sun stroke) is a life-threatening medical emergency. It usually develops from heat exhaustion, and the internal body temperature rises to the point at which brain damage or damage to other internal organs may result (internal body temperature may reach 105 F or greater [40.5 C or greater). Common symptoms and warning signs of these two heat-related illnesses are nausea, skin flushing, headache, dizziness, weakness, thirst, muscle cramps, and rapid heart rate. Heat exhaustion can be treated with treating dehydration at home or through IV at the doctor's office, Urgent Care, or Emergency Department. Heat stroke is a condition that needs to be treated right away. If you think someone you know is suffering from heat stroke call 911 immediately and get medical help. If medical treatment isn't started urgently, the person may die. -
Panic Attack
Panic attacks are episodes of extreme anxiety that are usually accompanied by chest pain. Panic attack symptoms and signs include chest pain, nausea, sweating, palpitations and shaking. Panic disorder is typically treated with medication and psychotherapy. -
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is among only a few mental disorders that are triggered by a disturbing outside event, quite unlike other psychiatric disorders such as depression. PTSD symptoms include re-experiencing the event, avoiding anything that reminds you of the event, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in arousal or reactivity. PTSD treatment can include medication and therapy. -
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a normal characteristic in infants and toddlers. Symptoms include reluctance to fall asleep, homesickness, nightmares, tantrums if separated from the primary caregiver, and feelings of anxiety. Treatment may incorporate positive reinforcement, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and anti-anxiety medications. -
Stress: Causes, Symptoms, Types, Treatment, and Management
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. Stress symptoms include anxiety, distraction, nervousness, internal pressure, and irritability. The first step in managing stress is to identify the cause. -
Symptoms and Signs: Anxiety
Anxiety as a medical condition is characterized by worry, fear, nervousness, shortness of breath, sleep problems and other symptoms. Diarrhea, tremors and rapid heart rate are some physical symptoms of severe anxiety, which may arise from a mental or physical condition, drug use, or some combination of these causes. Treatment can include medication and psychotherapy.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.