Hyperventilation means breathing too fast or too deeply. A hyperventilating child may be short of breath, sweat a lot, faint, have chest pain, have twitching, tingling, or numbness in the fingers or toes, or feel anxious.

Hyperventilation is very common. It can be scary for children, but it is not harmful. By learning ways to relax and control their breathing, kids can help prevent future episodes. In some cases, the healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to shorten or prevent it .

Here's how to care for your child.

• Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for:
  • Giving your child any prescribed medicines as directed
  • Encouraging your child to get daily physical activity and rest, which can help them cope with stress
  • Scheduling any follow-up appointments
• Help your child learn to relax and control breathing, as your healthcare provider directed:
  • Practice belly breathing exercises to increase your child's awareness of their breathing and help them learn to take slower, deeper breaths.
  • Have your child practice breathing slowly through pursed lips. This will help them slow down and control their breathing during an episode.
• Your healthcare provider may also recommend that your child see a respiratory therapist (specialist) to learn relaxation and breathing techniques.

Your child:

• Is having more frequent or more severe episodes of hyperventilation
• Is still having hyperventilation after using relaxation and breathing techniques

Your child:

• Has an episode of fast breathing, during which skin around the mouth, hands, or feet looks blue
• Faints or has a seizure

What is hyperventilation? In an episode of hyperventilation, a person breathes too fast or too deeply for what the body needs. This upsets the body's balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. 

Normally, our lungs breathe at just the right speed to keep a good balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in our bodies. For example, when we exercise, we need more oxygen and make more carbon dioxide, so we breathe faster.

What causes hyperventilation? Healthcare providers aren't sure what causes episodes of hyperventilation, but they may be triggered by physical and emotional stress, fever, anxiety, or panic. If you notice a pattern of hyperventilation, talk to your healthcare provider about how to reduce triggers and prevent episodes.