hyperventilation

[ hahy-per-ven-tl-ey-shuhn ]

noun

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.

hyperventilation

/ ˌhaɪpəˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. an increase in the depth, duration, and rate of breathing, sometimes resulting in cramp and dizziness

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperventilation¹

First recorded in 1925–30; hyper- + ventilation

Example Sentences

Slower practices calmed his mind and body while faster ones like holotropic breathing put his body into a state of hyperventilation and gave him profound psychedelic experiences.

From Salon

Boy met girl, football fans met Swifties and each new development became a cause for hyperventilation.

From New York Times

These brief losses of consciousness, whether brought by pain, fear, heat, hyperventilation or other causes, account for a significant portion of hospital emergency room visits.

From Science Daily

But last week, she told U.S. senators that “there’s a lot of misreporting and a lot of hyperventilation in the press” on potential normalization, especially based on leaks from Israeli officials.

From New York Times

On Wednesday, the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, Barbara Leaf, dismissed as "hyperventilation" reports in the Israeli press about the possibility.

From Reuters