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- The blood contains carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of cellular metabolism. It is also a part of the blood's acid-base balance system.
- Carbon dioxide is blown off from the lungs, with an optimum partial pressure of 40 mm Hg, and a blood pH of 7.40.
- In Hyperventilation, if too much carbon dioxide is blown off, the pH in the blood rises and becomes alkalotic.
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- Anxiety
- Hypoxemia (decrease oxygen in blood)
- Lung diseases
- Severe infections (sepsis)
- Liver failure
- Pain
- Fever
- Brain stem injury
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- Usually made from history. If the cause is anything other than Anxiety, a medical work-up should be pursued.
- Heart and lung exam will be performed.
- Arterial blood gas will confirm the diagnosis
- EKG and chest X-Ray will probably be performed to rule out other causes.
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- Anxiety as cause -- breathing into paper bag (until symptoms improve). Anti-Anxiety medications can be helpful
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