Hypoventilation

Respiratory depression, or hypoventilation, refers to a slow, shallow breathing rate. Symptoms, or hypoventilatory changes, may include shortness of breath, frequent yawns, and an increased heart rate. The brain controls the respiratory drive. Therefore, anything that affects the function of the In mild cases, the person may not notice any symptoms. In other cases, they may have slow and shallow breathing. Oxygen therapy and respiration machines may help treat respiratory depression, depending on its severity. Without treatment, respiratory depression can cause life threatening complications and even death. This article provides an overview of respiratory depression, including its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Share on Pinterest A person with respiratory depression may take just 8–10 breaths per minute. Respiratory depression happens when the lungs fail to exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen efficiently. This dysfunction leads to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the body, which can result in health complications. A common symptom of respiratory depression is taking breaths that are slower and shallower than normal. In most cases, breathing rates are as low as Respiratory depression can cause acid to build up in the body and lead to Certain medications and substances can cause respiratory depression or increase a person’s risk. These include sedative medication, narcotic pain medications, and other substances that depress brain function, such as alcohol and certain illegal...

• Overview   • • Theory   • Epidemiology • Etiology • Case history • Diagnosis   • Approach • History and exam • Investigations • Differentials • Screening • Management   • Approach • Treatment algorithm • Emerging • Prevention • Patient discussions • Follow up   • Monitoring • Complications • Prognosis • Resources   • Guidelines • • Patient leaflets Alveolar hypoventilation is defined as an elevation in PaCO2 to levels >45 mmHg. Disorders that have associated alveolar hypoventilation make up what is referred to as the hypoventilation syndrome. These include obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, restrictive thoracic disorders, central sleep apnea syndromes, and COPD. Hypoxemia is often present, especially during sleep, and is associated with hypercapnia. Symptoms are often nonspecific, but almost always include disturbed sleep and impaired daytime function. Physical exam often reveals signs of cor pulmonale in addition to those associated with the primary disorder. Diagnosis is usually made by the clinician's awareness that alveolar hypoventilation is often associated with certain medical disorders. Investigations include arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests, measurement of respiratory muscle strength, and an overnight polysomnogram. Treatment involves nocturnal ventilation, including the use of invasive ventilation. Definition Alveolar hypoventilation, defined as an elevation in PaCO2 to levels >45 mmHg, can occur with several disorders: obesity-h...

Respiratory acidosis is primary increase in carbon dioxide partial pressure (P co 2) with or without compensatory increase in bicarbonate (HCO 3 −); pH is usually low but may be near normal. Cause is a decrease in respiratory rate and/or volume (hypoventilation), typically due to central nervous system, pulmonary, or iatrogenic conditions. Respiratory acidosis can be acute or chronic; the chronic form is asymptomatic, but the acute, or worsening, form causes headache, confusion, and drowsiness. Signs include tremor, myoclonic jerks, and asterixis. Diagnosis is clinical and with arterial blood gas and serum electrolyte measurements. The cause is treated; oxygen (O 2) and mechanical ventilation are often required. (See also Acid-Base Regulation Metabolic processes continually produce acid and, to a lesser degree, base. Hydrogen ion (H +) is especially reactive; it can attach to negatively charged proteins and, in high concentrations... read more and Acid-Base Disorders Acid-base disorders are pathologic changes in carbon dioxide partial pressure (Pco2) or serum bicarbonate (HCO3 −) that typically produce abnormal arterial pH values. Acidemia is serum... read more .) Respiratory acidosis is carbon dioxide (CO 2) accumulation (hypercapnia) due to a decrease in respiratory rate and/or respiratory volume (hypoventilation). Causes of hypoventilation (discussed under Ventilatory Failure Ventilatory failure is a rise in PaCO2 (hypercapnia) that occurs when the respiratory load can ...

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), or Pickwickian syndrome, is a breathing disorder that affects some people who have obesity. The condition results in too much carbon dioxide in your blood and not enough oxygen. This occurs due to hypoventilation, which means breathing at an abnormally slow rate. OHS can cause life-threatening health issues. Overview What is obesity hypoventilation syndrome? Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a breathing disorder that affects some people who have In addition to hypoventilation, you may also have sleep-disordered breathing due to • Obesity. • Hypoventilation. • Sleep-disordered breathing. Another name for OHS is Pickwickian syndrome. In the 1950s, scientists named the condition after a character in a Charles Dickens novel that had symptoms of OHS. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome is a serious respiratory complication of obesity. It can cause life-threatening health issues, but it’s treatable. Who does obesity hypoventilation syndrome affect? OHS affects more men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) than women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). It also affects Black people more often than white people. How common is obesity hypoventilation syndrome? The exact rates of OHS are unknown. But studies estimate that OHS occurs in 0.4% to 0.6% of the U.S. adult population. That equals about 1 out of every 260 American adults. Symptoms and Causes What are the symptoms of obesity hypoventilation syndrome? Obesity hypoventila...

The six sleep-related hypoventilation disorders include: • Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) • Congenital central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) • Late-onset central hypoventilation with hypothalamic dysfunction • Idiopathic central alveolar hypoventilation • Sleep-related hypoventilation due to a medication or substance • Sleep-related hypoventilation due to a medical disorder Types and Their Causes The six subtypes of sleep-related hypoventilation all have different mechanisms causing hypoventilation, or insufficient breathing. Most sleep-related hypoventilation cases are made up of either obesity hypoventilation syndrome or sleep-related hypoventilation due to a medication or medical condition. The other types are rarer. Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) OHS is present in some people who are obese, and it causes poor breathing leading to an increase in carbon dioxide in the blood. The specific cause of OHS is unknown, but experts believe it is due to both a defect in the brain and its control on breathing and excess weight on the chest that makes it difficult for the muscles to allow for proper breaths. Late-Onset Central Hypoventilation with Hypothalamic Dysfunction This disorder is related to the central control of breathing, which takes place within the central nervous system (which consists of the brain and spinal cord). This disorder causes hypoventilation during sleep. When patients have this disorder, they must have two of the following: Idiop...

Hyperventilation occurs when you start to breathe very quickly, causing an imbalance between inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide (CO 2). This reduces the amount of CO 2 in the body. Low carbon dioxide levels lead to the narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the For some people, hyperventilation is rare. It only occurs as an occasional, panicked response to fear, For others, this condition occurs as a response to emotional states, such as Hyperventilation is also known as: • rapid (or fast) deep breathing • overbreathing • respiratory rate (or breathing) — rapid and deep There are many factors that can lead to hyperventilation. This condition most commonly results from anxiety, panic, nervousness, or stress. It often takes the form of a panic attack. Other causes include: • • use of stimulants • • severe pain • • • lung diseases, such as • heart conditions, such as a • • • • hyperventilation syndrome Hyperventilation can be a serious issue. Symptoms can last 20 to 30 minutes. You should seek treatment for hyperventilation when the following symptoms occur: • rapid, deep breathing for the first time • hyperventilation that gets worse, even after trying home care options • pain • • bleeding • feeling anxious, nervous, or tense • frequent sighing or yawning • a pounding and racing heartbeat • problems with balance, lightheadedness, or • numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or around the mouth • chest tightness, fullness, pressure, tenderness, or pain ...

Your respiration rate -- the number of times you You can measure your rate by counting the number of breaths you take in a minute. (If you don’t want to wait that long, you can count how many you take in 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4.) If you don’t feel well, how you’re breathing can give your doctor clues about what the problem might be. Hyperventilation This common issue happens when you breathe faster than your body needs to and you get rid of too much carbon dioxide. That throws off the balance in your Hyperventilation can be caused by things like The traditional treatment is to breathe into a paper bag so you breathe back in some of the carbon dioxide. But today, doctors recommend taking deep breaths or covering your Dyspnea This is when you feel “short of breath,” like your body can’t get enough air. It’s a common symptom of many It also can happen if you’re at high altitudes, in poor physical health, or are Several types of dyspnea happen only when your body is in a certain position. They include: • Orthopnea, when you feel short of breath when you lie down. It often happens in people who have • A similar condition called paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea can make you feel so short of breath that you wake up in the middle of the night. This is also a symptom of heart failure. • Trepopnea is a kind of dyspnea that happens when you lie on a certain side. It might happen when you lie on your left side but not on your right -- or the other way around. • Platypnea ...

Respiratory acidosis is primary increase in carbon dioxide partial pressure (P co 2) with or without compensatory increase in bicarbonate (HCO 3 −); pH is usually low but may be near normal. Cause is a decrease in respiratory rate and/or volume (hypoventilation), typically due to central nervous system, pulmonary, or iatrogenic conditions. Respiratory acidosis can be acute or chronic; the chronic form is asymptomatic, but the acute, or worsening, form causes headache, confusion, and drowsiness. Signs include tremor, myoclonic jerks, and asterixis. Diagnosis is clinical and with arterial blood gas and serum electrolyte measurements. The cause is treated; oxygen (O 2) and mechanical ventilation are often required. (See also Acid-Base Regulation Metabolic processes continually produce acid and, to a lesser degree, base. Hydrogen ion (H +) is especially reactive; it can attach to negatively charged proteins and, in high concentrations... read more and Acid-Base Disorders Acid-base disorders are pathologic changes in carbon dioxide partial pressure (Pco2) or serum bicarbonate (HCO3 −) that typically produce abnormal arterial pH values. Acidemia is serum... read more .) Respiratory acidosis is carbon dioxide (CO 2) accumulation (hypercapnia) due to a decrease in respiratory rate and/or respiratory volume (hypoventilation). Causes of hypoventilation (discussed under Ventilatory Failure Ventilatory failure is a rise in PaCO2 (hypercapnia) that occurs when the respiratory load can ...

Your respiration rate -- the number of times you You can measure your rate by counting the number of breaths you take in a minute. (If you don’t want to wait that long, you can count how many you take in 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4.) If you don’t feel well, how you’re breathing can give your doctor clues about what the problem might be. Hyperventilation This common issue happens when you breathe faster than your body needs to and you get rid of too much carbon dioxide. That throws off the balance in your Hyperventilation can be caused by things like The traditional treatment is to breathe into a paper bag so you breathe back in some of the carbon dioxide. But today, doctors recommend taking deep breaths or covering your Dyspnea This is when you feel “short of breath,” like your body can’t get enough air. It’s a common symptom of many It also can happen if you’re at high altitudes, in poor physical health, or are Several types of dyspnea happen only when your body is in a certain position. They include: • Orthopnea, when you feel short of breath when you lie down. It often happens in people who have • A similar condition called paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea can make you feel so short of breath that you wake up in the middle of the night. This is also a symptom of heart failure. • Trepopnea is a kind of dyspnea that happens when you lie on a certain side. It might happen when you lie on your left side but not on your right -- or the other way around. • Platypnea ...

• Overview   • • Theory   • Epidemiology • Etiology • Case history • Diagnosis   • Approach • History and exam • Investigations • Differentials • Screening • Management   • Approach • Treatment algorithm • Emerging • Prevention • Patient discussions • Follow up   • Monitoring • Complications • Prognosis • Resources   • Guidelines • • Patient leaflets Alveolar hypoventilation is defined as an elevation in PaCO2 to levels >45 mmHg. Disorders that have associated alveolar hypoventilation make up what is referred to as the hypoventilation syndrome. These include obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, restrictive thoracic disorders, central sleep apnea syndromes, and COPD. Hypoxemia is often present, especially during sleep, and is associated with hypercapnia. Symptoms are often nonspecific, but almost always include disturbed sleep and impaired daytime function. Physical exam often reveals signs of cor pulmonale in addition to those associated with the primary disorder. Diagnosis is usually made by the clinician's awareness that alveolar hypoventilation is often associated with certain medical disorders. Investigations include arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests, measurement of respiratory muscle strength, and an overnight polysomnogram. Treatment involves nocturnal ventilation, including the use of invasive ventilation. Definition Alveolar hypoventilation, defined as an elevation in PaCO2 to levels >45 mmHg, can occur with several disorders: obesity-h...