Clinical Evaluation of Pulmonary Function

Abstract

Many manifestations of the hyperventilation syndrome are thought to be due to central nervous system impairment. The syndrome should not be attributed to anxiety unless overbreathing produces one or more complaints and posthyperventilation apnea is absent.

Hypoventilation results from any process interfering with normal function of the chest bellows by affecting either its control mechanism or its moving parts. Control and restrictive and obstructive defects producing hypoventilation are discussed.