hyperventilation

hyperventilation
/huy'peuhr ven'tl ay"sheuhn/, n.
1. excessively rapid and deep breathing.
2. a condition characterized by abnormally prolonged and rapid breathing, resulting in decreased carbon dioxide levels and increased oxygen levels that produce faintness, tingling of the fingers and toes, and, if continued, alkalosis and loss of consciousness.
[1925-30; HYPER- + VENTILATION]

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 sustained abnormal increase in breathing. During hyperventilation the rate of removal of carbon dioxide from the blood is increased. As the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood decreases, respiratory alkalosis, characterized by decreased acidity or increased alkalinity of the blood, ensues. In turn, alkalosis causes constriction of the small blood vessels (blood vessel) that supply the brain. Reduced blood supply to the brain can cause a variety of symptoms, including light-headedness and tingling of the fingertips. Severe hyperventilation can cause transient loss of consciousness.

       anxiety is the most common cause of hyperventilation. panic disorder, a severe episodic form of anxiety, usually causes hyperventilation with resultant symptoms. Treatment of recurrent hyperventilation begins with a complete explanation by the patient of the condition and the symptoms it causes. Some people benefit from psychotherapy and medications to deal with the underlying anxiety.

John Hansen-Flaschen
 

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • hyperventilation — n. 1. The act or process of hyperventilating; breathing rapidly and deeply. [PJC] 2. (Med.) A condition in which alveolar carbon dioxide concentration is markedly lower than normal, usually due to breathing rapidly and deeply. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hyperventilation — 1907, from HYPER (Cf. hyper ) + VENTILATION (Cf. ventilation). Earlier as a type of treatment for lung diseases …   Etymology dictionary

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  • Hyperventilation — Not to be confused with hypoventilation. Hyperventilation ICD 10 R06.4 ICD 9 786.01 Hyperventilation or overbreathing is the state of breathing faster and/or deeper than normal …   Wikipedia

  • Hyperventilation — Klassifikation nach ICD 10 R06. Störungen der Atmung R06.4 Hyperventilation F45.33 Soma …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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  • Hyperventilation — Overbreathing. Often due to anxiety. Overbreathing causes dizziness, lightheadedness, a sense of unsteadiness and tingling around the mouth and fingertips. Relief can be gotten by breathing in and out of a paper bag (to increase the level of… …   Medical dictionary

  • Hyperventilation — Hy|per|ven|ti|la|ti|on 〈[ vɛn ] f. 20; unz.; Med.〉 erhöhte Atmungstätigkeit, übermäßige Beatmung der Lunge [<Hyper... + lat. ventilare „fächeln“] * * * Hyperventilation,   über den Körperbedarf hinausgehende Beschleunigung oder Vertiefung der… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • hyperventilation — n. breathing at an abnormally rapid rate at rest. This causes a reduction of the carbon dioxide concentration of arterial blood, leading to dizziness, tingling (paraesthesiae) in the lips and limbs, tetanic cramps in the hands, and tightness… …   The new mediacal dictionary

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