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Causes of Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation symptoms can be similar to symptoms that are caused by another problem. Hyperventilation can also be directly caused by:

A medical condition or disease. Examples include:
- Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- A blood clot, such as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolus.
- Cancer.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Diabetes.
- Heart arrhythmias.
- Heart failure.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
- Fluid in the lungs, such as pulmonary edema.
- Heart disease.
- Infection, such as pneumonia.
- Kidney disease.
- Liver disease.
- Scarring of the lungs, such as pulmonary fibrosis.
- Lung disease.
- Panic disorder.
- Severe anemia.
- Sepsis.
- Sickle cell disease.
- Shock.
- Stroke.
- Thyroid problems, such as Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism.
A rapid increase in altitude.
Exercise.
Fever.
Ingestion or overdose of drugs, including amphetamine, aspirin, asthma medicines, cocaine, iron, LSD, or methamphetamine.
Nervous system problems, such as head injuries, encephalitis, meningitis, or stroke.
Physical problems that cause pressure on or within the chest, such as:
- Chest wall injury.
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
- Pregnancy.
- Severe abdominal fluid retention (ascites).
Situations where there is a psychological advantage for a person to have a sudden, dramatic illness.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	David Messenger, MD
Last Revised	September 3, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: September 03, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.