Hyperventilation syndrome is a condition brought on by rapid, shallow breathing. It can cause fainting.
Hyperventilation can be very alarming because it can appear to be a different, more serious problem.
The rapid, shallow breathing of hyperventilation most often occurs when you are anxious or emotionally upset. You are rarely even aware that you are breathing rapidly. When you breathe rapidly, you exhale a lot more carbon dioxide than normal. This loss of too much carbon dioxide affects your nervous system, including your brain, and causes the symptoms of hyperventilation. The diagnosis of hyperventilation depends on several factors, including how well your health care provider knows you, your age, and especially your overall medical condition.