Hypoventilation: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Hypoventilation, or shallow, short breathing, causes carbon dioxide to build up in the blood and decreases oxygen levels. Causes include having obesity, genetic mutations, and certain underlying conditions. For some people, there is no known cause.

A healthcare provider may perform one or more tests to determine the underlying cause of hypoventilation and determine the best treatment approach.

This article discusses the symptoms and potential causes of hypoventilation. It will also cover risk factors and when to seek tests or treatment for symptoms.

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If you are experiencing symptoms such as blue skin or lips, chest pain, or shortness of breath, call 911 immediately.

Short, shallow breaths characterize hypoventilation. It can lead to carbon dioxide buildup and decreased oxygen, causing additional symptoms, including the following:

There are various potential causes of hypoventilation. The most common causes are:

Pickwickian syndrome, also called obesity hypoventilation syndrome, is a breathing condition in some people experiencing obesity. Excess weight is a risk factor for this condition since extra weight around the neck, face, and stomach can make it hard to take deep breaths. Being overweight also produces excess hormones that can impact breathing patterns.

Primary alveolar hypoventilation is a rare disorder with shorter breaths per minute. The primary cause is unknown. The lungs and airways usually appear normal.

Congenital central hypoventilation impacts your breathing due to a genetic mutation in the PHOX2B gene, which instructs the body to make a protein that helps support nerve cell formation in the autonomic nervous system. This part of your nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions, like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. The PHOX2B mutation makes these functions unregulated.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing pauses during sleep. Symptoms include snoring or gasping in your sleep, poor quality sleep, or daytime sleepiness.

Treatment options depend on what is causing hypoventilation. Options include medications, mechanical devices, or lifestyle changes to lose weight, such as:

In addition to a physical exam, a healthcare provider may perform one of the following tests to diagnose hypoventilation:

Some signs and symptoms indicate you need to see a healthcare provider, while others may require emergency medical attention.

Call your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Contact 911 right away if you experience the following:

Hypoventilation develops when oxygen levels are too low, and carbon dioxide levels are too high. The most common causes of hypoventilation are being a person with obesity, a genetic mutation, and sleep apnea. A healthcare provider can determine how to diagnose hypoventilation using various tests.

There are many treatment options for hypoventilation, though treatment response varies. If you are undergoing treatment for hypoventilation, follow your healthcare provider's recommendations closely and contact them before making changes to your treatment plan.

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By Carisa BrewsterCarisa D. Brewster is a freelance journalist with over 20 years of experience writing for newspapers, magazines, and digital publications. She specializes in science and healthcare content.