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Children's of Alabama

Children's of Alabama
Healthcare as amazing as their potential
www.childrensal.org
1600 7th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
(205) 638 - 9100


What Does Hyperventilate Mean?

Hyperventilate

Say: hi-pur-VEN-tuh-layte

Have you ever breathed too deeply? How about too quickly? Put those two things together and you will be hyperventilating.

When you hyperventilate, there is less carbon dioxide in your blood. This can make you feel lightheaded, short of breath, and numb or tingly in your hands and feet. Different things can make you hyperventilate, like a fever, intense exercise, or stress.