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Ency. home > Disease > P > Primary alveolar hypoventilation

Primary alveolar hypoventilation   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Ondine's curse

Definition:

A rare disorder of unknown cause that leads to inadequate breathing despite normal physiologic make-up.

Causes and Risks

The cause of this disease is unknown. Current research is looking at how the brain of these patients may be less responsive to carbon dioxide.

The condition is usually worse during sleep, and periods of apnea (cessation of breathing) are usually present. Patients with this disease are extremely sensitive to even small doses of sedatives or narcotics, which can acutely exacerbate their hypoventilation. The disease primarily affects men 20 to 50 years old; it can also be present in male children.

This condition is commonly seen in those with obesity hypoventiliation syndrome.

Ency. home > Disease > P > Primary alveolar hypoventilation

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