Hyperventilation and the body.

Hyperventilation has rapid and far-ranging physiological effects via its alteration of pH and depletion of CO2 in the body, resulting in respiratory alkalosis, acute or chronic. The general effects on skeletal and smooth muscles, as well as neural tissue, are summarized. A wide variety of symptoms such as pain, tension, disturbances of consciousness, circulatory problems and cardiovascular effects can confound treatment efforts but may respond to alterations of breathing patterns. Suggestions are given for detecting this condition.