Final answer:
The tingling sensation during hyperventilation is due to a decrease in carbon dioxide, which causes the blood to become more alkaline, leading to the constriction of blood vessels and hyperexcitability of afferent neurons.
Step-by-step explanation:
During hyperventilation, the tingling sensation in the hands and feet is often due to a decrease in carbon dioxide in the blood. This decrease leads to a condition known as respiratory alkalosis, where the pH of the blood becomes more alkaline. This alkaline environment causes blood vessels to constrict and also results in a change in the activity of neurons, including those that govern sensation. The decreased availability of calcium ions in the alkaline environment affects the nerve function, often leading to the hyperexcitability of afferent neurons, which can cause tingling or a 'pins and needles' sensation.
It's important to understand that hyperventilation is typically a response to stress, anxiety, or panic, which increases the breathing rate and causes excessive expulsion of carbon dioxide. This is not the same as an increase in carbon dioxide, which typically leads to the opposite effect, causing the blood vessels to dilate and potentially causing a sensation of warmth or flush.