Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation is the state of breathing faster or deeper than necessary, and thereby reducing the carbon dioxide concentration of the blood below normal resulting in a rise in the PH level of the blood. This can then lead to vascular constriction resulting in less blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body.

Common symptoms of hyperventilation include:

• Light headedness
• Shortness of breath
• Numbness
• Tremors
• Sweating
• Dry mouth
• Chest pains

Common ways to stop hyperventilation include:

• Although not always practical, breathing in and out of a paper bag can quickly restore the normal PH level of the blood as the carbon dioxide that is breathed into the paper bag in breathed back in.
  
  
• Diaphramatic breathing (as explained elsewhere in this glossary)