What is hyperventilation?
Hyperventilation is over-breathing, i.e. breathing more than is necessary to meet the body's requirements.
Over-breathing is a perfectly normal reaction to any stressful situation. Generally, when this event has passed, breathing will return to a normal rate.
Sometimes, as a result of prolonged stress or a physical trigger, a continual pattern of over-breathing can occur, whereby the breathing pattern does not return to a normal level.
How do I know if I am over-breathing?
You may be aware of some or all of the symptoms. Here are some of the most commonly experienced.