Hyperventilation syndrome is heavy breathing brought about by the decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood. It occurs when the rate and quantity of alveolar ventilation of carbon dioxide exceeds the body’s production of carbon dioxide making our brains and bodies short of oxygen. Some of the causes can be exercise, fever, shivering, and other disorders which lead to excess production of carbon dioxide than normal.

The body attempts to correct this by breathing more rapidly and deeply. What differentiates hyperventilation from panic disorder is that people with panic disorder often have emotional complaints (for example, fear of death, fear of heights, or closed-in spaces that accompany attacks. However, with hyperventilation, a person will have certain symptoms without these emotional complaints (although the person still may be anxious).

Often times, panic leads to rapid breathing, and breathing rapidly can make you feel panicked making it a vicious cycle. It is a very discomforting disorder that...