Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome

Occurs under stresses of daily living
Commonly goes undiagnosed for years, as physicians refer patients from one to another
Carbon dioxide drives our breathing, not oxygen
Carbon dioxide is primary regulator of blood pH
Hyperventilation washes carbon dioxide from the lungs creating a state of hypocapnia
pH of blood changes in alkaline direction
During long term hyperventilation, kidneys dump bicarbonate to maintain pH
This ensures a continued state of chronic hyperventilation
Change of pH causes a left shift of the oxyhaemoglobin curve
This increases affinity of haemoglobin to oxygen
Chronic hyperventilation causes arterial blood vessels to constrict
This reduces blood flow to organs and systems including brain and heart
Chronic hyperventilation reduces availability of calcium
Chickens in Indiana fed carbonated water to ensure good quality egg shells
Hyperventilation provocation test commonly recognised as diagnostic tool