Orthostatic increase of respiratory gas exchange in hyperventilation syndrome

Orthostatic increase of respiratory gas exchange in hyperventilation syndrome.

BACKGROUND Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) is a common disorder which is difficult to diagnose because of somatic symptoms and its episodic nature. In previous studies respiratory alkalosis in arterial blood was often found during orthostatic tests in patients with HVS. The purpose of this study was to assess these orthostatic changes by non-invasive pulmonary gas exchange measurements and to e...

Respiratory Physiology: Gas Exchange and Respiratory Mechanics

Respiration provides oxygen (O2) and removes carbon dioxide (CO2) for the body. An extraordinary anatomic arrangement of functional units (the alveoli) delimited by extra-thin walls (epithelium and endothelium) creates the interface for gas exchange between air and blood. Repetitive expansion and collapse of the chest wall facilitates movement of gas in and out of the lungs. This review focuses...

Respiratory Structures and Gas Exchange

The lungs move air in and out like bellows. Fresh, oxygen-rich air mixes with intrapulmonary air. Oxygen is carried with the circulation and carbon dioxide is excreted with the exhaled air. Various mechanisms maintain the purposeful distribution of ventilation and circulation. Very much of the complicated physiology and pathophysiology is already known, and it has recently become possible to ob...

Hyperventilation Syndrome

MOST PHYSICIANS are quite familiar with the isolated attack of acute hyperventilation that is characterized by dramatic overbreathingand classically culminates in tetany. Although terrifying to the patient, and almost equally alarming to any onlooker, these attacks are usually brief and without serious medical sequelae. Recently we have come to recognize a chronic hyperventilation pattern that ...

Update on Respiratory Physiology: Pulmonary Gas Exchange