Acid-base imbalance of decreased carbon dioxide associated with hyperventilation, anxiety, fever, pain, and mechanical over ventilation; it is characterized by increased heart rate, increased rate and depth of respirations, paresthesia, anxiety, irritability, dizziness, and agitation.
Form of alkalosis (abnormally low hydrogen-ion concentration in the blood) in which there is greater than normal excretion of carbon dioxide, usually caused by hyperventilation associated with extreme anxiety, asthma or pneumonia, or by aspirin intoxication or metabolic acidosis. Deep, rapid breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness, and muscular spasm commonly occur. Abnormalities in the electrocardiogram that usually have no prognostic significance may be noted. Treatment involves correction and treatment of any underlying causes. Sometimes rebreathing of air that has been exhaled into a paper bag can be helpful, if potentially dangerous causes (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction) are excluded first. Sedatives to decrease the rate of breathing are used in cases of extreme anxiety.
Alkalosis with an acute reduction of carbon dioxide followed by a proportionate reduction in plasma bicarbonate.