# acapnia

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acapnia
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a medical condition where there is too little carbon dioxide in your blood. This can cause you to feel dizzy or have a fast heartbeat.

For teachers: a state of abnormally low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Often results from excessive breathing or hyperventilation, leading to respiratory alkalosis.

## Examples

- The patient was treated for acapnia after hyperventilating during the flight.
- Acapnia can occur when a diver ascends too quickly, causing them to breathe heavily and lose carbon dioxide too fast.
- The clinical presentation of acapnia includes symptoms such as dizziness, tingling in the extremities, and a rapid heart rate, all stemming from the blood's reduced acidity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.