What Can Cause Hyperventilation?

Specific Lung Disease

The presence of specific lung disease that compromises lung function may lead to the development of hyperventilation. Some of the respiratory illnesses and diseases that can result in hyperventilation include asthma, lung cancer, pneumonia, and emphysema. Patients may not always know they have these conditions, and therefore, it is important to visit a doctor for an evaluation if there are any signs of breathing difficulties. Breathing difficulties, apart from hyperventilation, that warrants a physician's assessment include a chronic cough, shortness of breath, pain when breathing in or out, and the presence of any wheezing or abnormal sounds during breathing. Doctors will listen to the breath sounds, and tests such as spirometry may be needed to assess breathing difficulties. If doctors determine pneumonia or another infection is the cause, antibiotics will likely be prescribed. Patients found to have asthma will be given inhalers that help open the airways and make breathing easier. Individuals with lung cancer may need to have a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to treat their disease, and patients with emphysema may also require surgical intervention. All treatments will help eliminate hyperventilation.