The Hyperventilation Syndrome

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 ...

The hyperventilation syndrome: a syndrome under threat?

Background. Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) describes a set of somatic and psychological symptoms thought to result from episodic or chronic hyperventilation. Recognition of symptoms during the hyperventilation provocation test (HVPT) is the most widely used criterion for diagnosis of HVS. We have investigated the validity of the HVPT and of the concept of HVS. Methods. In a randomised, double-...

Hyperventilation and exhaustion syndrome

Chronic stress is among the most common diagnoses in Sweden, most commonly in the form of exhaustion syndrome (ICD-10 classification - F43.8). The majority of patients with this syndrome also have disturbed breathing (hyperventilation). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between hyperventilation and exhaustion syndrome. Thirty patients with exhaustion syndrome and 14 healt...

Hyperventilation syndrome--hiding behind pseudonyms?

The chronic fatigue syndrome and hyperventilation.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by severe fatigue, lasting for at least 6 months, for which no somatic explanation can be found. Because hyperventilation can produce substantial fatigue, it seems worthwhile to investigate the relationship between it and CFS. It might be hypothesized that hyperventilation plays a causal or perpetuating role in CFS. CFS patients, non-CFS patients ...