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Hyperventilation, as the name implies, is essentially "too much breathing," which can be caused by anxiety or panic. When a person inhales, she takes in oxygen, and when she exhales, she releases carbon dioxide, a waste product. During normal breathing, oxygen and carbon dioxide stay in a healthy balance. During hyperventilation, however, these chemicals can become out of whack.
What Happens
During hyperventilation, you release more carbon dioxide than usual. Therefore, it's possible for the level of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream to fall too low, which leads to a constriction of the blood vessels in the brain. This in turn can cause dizziness, faintness, tingling and headache, among other symptoms. You may even lose consciousness, at which point breathing generally returns to normal and the imbalance sorts itself out.
Causes
Hyperventilation is most often caused by anxiety or a panic attack. Other conditions, such as certain heart or lung diseases, heavy bleeding, severe infection or pain, or stimulant drug use, can also lead to hyperventilation, so it's important to note if something other than anxiety is the cause.
Treatment
If anxiety is the cause of the hyperventilation, it can generally be treated successfully at home. Other causes require medical treatment. One tried and true method, breathing into a paper bag, works because you are forced to breathe the carbon dioxide in again -- it can help you from losing too much. Another method is to breathe through only one nostril, or to breathe through slightly closed lips -- MedlinePlus describes it as the shape of your lips if you were going to blow out a candle.
If you are witnessing someone hyperventilate, try to reassure and comfort him. If you can remove the fear or the source of the anxiety, do so. For example, if you have a friend who is absolutely petrified of cockroaches, and who started to hyperventilate because he saw one, the simple fix would be to get rid of the cockroach. Hyperventilating, in some cases, can lead to fainting, so it's a good idea to ask the person to sit or lie down. Though hyperventilation may not seem like a serious problem, it can disrupt your life and your routines. Your healthcare provider can help you target the root of the problem and suggest treatment options.
