Plain English Meaning

Breathing too fast or too deeply, which lowers the carbon dioxide in your blood and makes you feel dizzy, tingly, and unwell.

Full Definition

An abnormal increase in the rate or depth of breathing that flushes too much carbon dioxide from the blood, disturbing its chemical balance and causing symptoms such as dizziness, tingling in the fingers and toes, lightheadedness, visual disturbances, and eventually loss of consciousness if uncorrected.

Context Anchor

Pilots encounter this term in aeromedical discussions, especially when learning about stress, anxiety, high-altitude flight, and symptoms that can look similar to lack of oxygen.

Derivation

From the Greek 'hyper' meaning 'over' or 'excessive,' and the Latin 'ventilare' meaning 'to fan' or 'to air .' Literally 'over-breathing' — moving too much air through the lungs.