What condition is described as over-breathing due to excitement or stress?

Hyperventilation is characterized by rapid or deep breathing that often occurs in response to anxiety, excitement, or stress. During hyperventilation, an individual may expel carbon dioxide faster than the body can produce it, which can lead to symptoms such as lightheadedness, tingling in the extremities, and palpitations. Understanding this condition is crucial in first aid, as it allows responders to provide proper reassurance and techniques to help the person regain control over their breathing.

While respiratory distress refers to difficulty in breathing and can be caused by various medical conditions, it is not specifically linked to the emotional states of excitement or stress. Panic attacks may involve hyperventilation but are broader in scope, incorporating additional psychological symptoms like fear and feelings of impending doom. Asphyxiation, on the other hand, is a critical and acute condition caused by a lack of oxygen, typically due to an obstruction in the airway, which differs fundamentally from the stress-induced breathing pattern seen in hyperventilation. Thus, hyperventilation is the most accurate label for the condition described in the question.