Hyperventilation syndrome

Hyperventilation syndrome (Da Costa syndrome, stress syndrome, nervous respiratory syndrome, psychophysiological respiratory reactions, irritable heart syndrome, etc.) in recent years has attracted the attention of many researchers due to its frequency and the large role it plays in the formation of numerous clinical manifestations.

Hyperventilation syndrome can be defined as a pathological condition manifested by polysystemic psychic, vegetative (including vascular-visceral), algic and muscular-tonic disorders, impaired consciousness associated with primary dysfunction of the nervous system of a psychogenic or organic nature, leading to normal and stable a pathological respiratory pattern that is manifested by an increase in pulmonary ventilation is inadequate to the level of gas exchange in the body.

The most common hyperventilation syndrome is psychogenic.

Hyperventilation syndrome or prolonged sustained hyperventilation can be caused by numerous causes. It is advisable to distinguish three classes of such causes (factors):

1. organic diseases of the nervous system;
2. psychogenic diseases;
3. somatic factors and diseases, endocrine-metabolic disorders, exo- and endogenous intoxications.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, the main causes that determine the occurrence of the hyperventilation syndrome are psychogenic. Therefore, in most publications, the term hyperventilation syndrome implies a psychogenic basis. However, not all researchers agree with this assessment.

Causes and pathogenesis of hyperventilation syndrome

Among the numerous symptoms of hyperventilation syndrome, there are five leading symptoms:

1. vegetative disorders;
2. changes and disorders of consciousness;
3. musculo-tonic and motor disorders;
4. painful and other sensitive disorders;
5. mental disorders.

The complexity of the symptoms of the hyperventilation syndrome is related to the fact that complaints made by patients are nonspecific. The classical ("specific") triad of symptoms - increased respiration, paresthesia and tetany - only to a minimal extent reflect the richness of the clinical picture of the hyperventilation syndrome. Although a bright hyperventilation crisis (hyperventilation attack) sometimes causes serious diagnostic difficulties, nevertheless it is commonly believed that acute hyperventilation paroxysm is easy to recognize. Low clinical manifestations of hyperventilation crisis or paroxysm are presented.

Hyperventilation syndrome - Symptoms

Treatment of hyperventilation syndrome should be comprehensive. Correction of mental disorders is carried out with the help of psychotherapeutic treatment. Of great importance are the "reconstruction" of the internal picture of the disease, demonstration (this is easily done with the help of hyperventilation provocation) to the patient's connection of clinical manifestations with breathing dysfunction. The effect on the neurophysiological and neurochemical basis of the mechanisms of the hyperventilation syndrome is realized by the appointment of psychotropic, vegetotrophic agents and drugs that reduce neuromuscular excitability.

As agents that reduce neuromuscular excitability, prescribe drugs that regulate calcium metabolism, magnesium exchange. The most commonly used ergocalphicol (vitamin D2) at a dose of 20,000-40000 IU per day enterally for 1-2 months, calcium gluconate, calcium chloride. Other calcium preparations (tachystin, AT-10), as well as preparations containing magnesium (magnesium, potassium and magnesium aspartate, etc.) can be used.

Hyperventilation syndrome - Treatment

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