Primary alveolar hypoventilation

Disease	Injury	Nutrition	Poison

Special Topic	Surgery	Symptoms	Test

Respiratory system

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Primary alveolar hypoventilation

Alternative Names:

Ondine's curse

Symptoms:

lethargy
fatigue
morning headache
daytime somnolence
swelling of the ankles
bluish coloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen
awakening from sleep unrested
awakening many times at night

Signs and tests:

pulmonary function tests
blood gases
chest X-ray to rule out other diseases
overnight oximetry (a test to measure oxygen levels during the night)
Sleep study (polysomnography)

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

serum bicarbonate
hematocrit

Review Date: 2/6/2003
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.