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hyperventilation

[hahy-per-ven-tl-ey-shuh n]
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noun
  1. excessively rapid and deep breathing.
  2. a condition characterized by abnormally prolonged and rapid breathing, resulting in decreased carbon dioxide levels and increased oxygen levels that produce faintness, tingling of the fingers and toes, and, if continued, alkalosis and loss of consciousness.
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Origin of hyperventilation

First recorded in 1925–30; hyper- + ventilation
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

gasppalpitationhyperpneahyperventilationdyspnea
British Dictionary definitions for hyperventilation

hyperventilation

noun
  1. an increase in the depth, duration, and rate of breathing, sometimes resulting in cramp and dizziness
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hyperventilation

n.

1907, from hyper- + ventilation. Earlier as a type of treatment for lung diseases.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
hyperventilation in Medicine

hyperventilation

(hī′pər-vĕn′tl-ā′shən)
n.
  1. Abnormally fast or deep respiration resulting in the loss of carbon dioxide from the blood, thereby causing a decrease in blood pressure and sometimes fainting.
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Related formshy′per•ven′ti•late′ v.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.