Hyperventilation syndrome

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Hyperventilation syndrome almost always frustrates the primary care physician to some degree or another. Given the mixed feelings of urgency and skepticism that torment patients and the confusing, varied array of symptoms that muddy the diagnostic waters, it should come as no surprise that the situation “often leads to therapeutic dead ends.” Yet, in this article, Dr Smith contends that the syndrome can be managed successfully if the physician understands the link between anxiety and hyperventilation and forges an ongoing, trusting “therapeutic alliance” with patients.