hyperventilation literally means over breathing when hyperventilating a person breathes much faster and deeper than normal usually the respiratory rate is higher than 20 breaths a minute a cute type of ventilation can be very frightening you feel like you are not getting enough air because of the rapid deep breathing you inhale a lot of oxygen while at the same time the carbon dioxide level in the blood decreases the chemical changes in the blood causes complaints the symptoms differ per person common symptoms are dizziness fainting nausea and chest or abdominal pain tingling around the mouth and in the hands is also very common panic during an attack can make the breathing go even more out of control hyperventilation manifests itself in attacks and is often caused by tension it can also occur on high altitudes be triggered by strenuous work panic physical injuries or poisoning sometimes hyperventilation develops into a chronic syndrome the body is under a constant pressure for example because of too much stress and sleep deprivation in order to stop an attack of hyperventilation it is important to calmly breathe in and out start with a deep breath out followed by a deep breath in breathing in and out in a paper bag may help a long-term solution to chronic hyperventilation is breathing therapy hyperventilation is not dangerous but if the attacks are bothering you a lot it might be wise to see a physician