hypocapnia
Definition
Noun: A medical condition characterized by an abnormally low level of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the blood. It typically results from hyperventilation (excessively deep or rapid breathing), which causes too much CO₂ to be expelled from the lungs.
Usage and Examples
Noun: * The patient's anxiety attack led to hypocapnia, causing dizziness and tingling in the fingers. * Hypocapnia is a common consequence of breathing at a high altitude. * The doctor identified the lightheadedness as a symptom of acute hypocapnia.
Advanced Usage
- "Induced hypocapnia": Sometimes deliberately induced in a controlled medical setting, such as during certain types of surgery, to reduce pressure inside the skull.
- "Chronic hypocapnia": A prolonged state of low blood CO₂, which can lead to the kidneys compensating by excreting more bicarbonate, altering the body's acid-base balance.
Variants and Related Words
- Hypercapnia (noun): The opposite condition; an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood.
- Hypocapnic (adjective): Relating to or suffering from hypocapnia.
- The patient was in a hypocapnic state.
Synonyms
- Acapnia (a largely synonymous, though less common, medical term).
Antonyms
- Hypercapnia
Related Medical Concepts
- Alkalosis: A condition of reduced blood acidity, which often accompanies hypocapnia because carbon dioxide dissolved in blood forms carbonic acid. Low CO₂ leads to respiratory alkalosis.
- Hyperventilation: The most common cause of hypocapnia.
Noun
-
a state in which the level of carbon dioxide in the blood is lower than normal; can result from deep or rapid breathing
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