Answer
During hyperventilation, more CO2 is lost from the lungs and the blood than is the case in normal breathing. The decrease in the level of CO2 results in a rise in blood pH or plasma alkalosis.
Work Step by Step
One method for correcting hyperventilation is hypoventilation. In hypoventilation, one takes shallow breaths at a slow rate to allow CO2 to accumulate in the blood. Another method is the rebreather method, or paper bag method. In this method, one exhales into a paper bag and then inhales the exhaled air from the paper bag. This has the effect of raising the blood levels of CO2, however, it is dangerous for people in heart failure or who have lung infections to use this method. Doctors do not recommend this method for correcting the symptoms of hyperventilation.
