Hyperventilation (rapid breathing)
About Hyperventilation (rapid breathing)
Breathing is in excess of what is required for the metabolic demands of the body. Carbon dioxide levels drop and cause changes in the body's acid base status and calcium levels. Patients experience numbness around the mouth and in the hands and feet. Spasms of the hands and feet can occur. Causes include anxiety (as with panic attacks), pregnancy, and certain medications. Heart and lung disease and infections can also lead to hyperventilation.Symptoms
Rapid breathing, numbness around the mouth, numbness in the hands and feet, spasms of the hands and feet.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests will be done to determine why the patient is breathing too fast.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), D-Dimer, EKG, Troponin, X-ray.
Prescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
Treatment depends on the cause of the rapid breathing, and may include: briefly breathing into a paper bag, anti-anxiety medications (such as benzodiazepines), antibiotics, or heart or breathing medications.Medical specialties
Internal Medicine · Psychiatry · Pediatrics · Family Practice · Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Hyperventilation (rapid breathing).