Topic Overview

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.
  • Heart failure.
  • Fluid in the lungs, such as pulmonary edema.
  • Infection, such as pneumonia.
  • Scarring of the lungs, such as pulmonary fibrosis.
  • Lung disease.
  • Panic disorder.
  • 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.