Effects of carbon dioxide on human health
Individuality of pathological effects
The above effects are found and should take place in all people. However, the degree of these problems and their personal symptoms (what is felt) are individual. In some people, hyperventilation affects mostly the nervous system, in others cardiovascular, or the respiratory, or the digestive, or the hormonal system, or their combinations. There are people who experience a wide range of negative physiological effects, while some individuals can be less affected. The particular problems depend on genetic make up (or hereditary predisposition) and environmental influences.
Similarly, the psychological effects of hyperventilation on the brain and the CNS are highly individual and may vary with time for the same person. Indeed, that depends on which over-excited brain area is going to control personal feelings, emotions and behavior.
Physiological research also shows that the more we breathe the stronger the effects. Consider these medical research studies devoted to the hyperventilation provocation test.
Genetics and diseases: when asked to hyperventilate,
patients experience
those symptoms which are ... in their genes.
|
Yugoslavian doctors from Zagreb asked 90 asthmatics to do voluntary over-breathing (Mojsoski & Pavicic, 1990). All patients (100%) experienced asthma attacks. |
In 1997, the American Journal of Cardiology published results of a similar study with the title Hyperventilation as a specific test for diagnosis of coronary artery spasm (Nakao et. al, 1997). Over 200 heart patients were asked to hyperventilate, and as you probably guessed, all of them had coronary artery spasms (or symptoms of impending heart attacks). |
Here is a short summary of medical studies regarding different health
conditions, number of patients investigated, and the percentage of patients who
reproduced their specific health problem:
- coronary artery spasms (Nakao et al, 1997) 206 patients, 100% specific;
- bronchial asthma (Mojsoski N & Pavicic F, 1990) 90 patients, 100% specific;
- panic attacks (Bonn et al, 1984; Holt PE & Andrews, 1989; Nardi et al, 2000),
95% specific;
- epileptic absence seizures (Esquivel et al, 1991; Wirrel et al, 1996).
Similarly, people with histories of migraine
headaches also experience their specific symptoms. If
breathing more can provoke these problems, is it possible that breathing less can
prevent them?
Hence, hyperventilation provocation test can and do reveal "bad" genes in the sick.
How do we check a car? The first thing that is checked is its ability to start or to breathe. Breathing of a good car is almost invisible and inaudible. Then the car is put into gear and its breathing at different speeds and conditions is tested. Breathing of the car is not the only important parameter. However, it is the most important general characteristic.
Let us imagine that the human organism is like a car that needs certain substances and maintenance for normal functioning. According to its design, the new car should be able to last for a certain number of years and run for a certain amount of time.
Now the question is: "Which part or system of the car is going to break down first due to wear and other negative influences?" The answer to this question can be provided by any mechanic. The location of the weakest place in a car depends on:
1. the type of the car (its make or initial state, including strong and weak parts and systems);
2. the outer conditions of use (environmental parameters, like temperature, humidity, types of roads used, etc.);
3. how was the car handled during its time, including quality of practical driving and car maintenance (ability to detect the problems and to solve them; systematic care and checking of oil levels, braking fluid level, washing fluid, etc.; regularity of checks and inspections).
Cars are made differently. Some cars have more durable engines, others stronger bodies, still others are famous for their excellent chassis. At the same time, the cars normally have certain weak points, in some parts or systems.
The car will run longer, if environmental conditions are more favourable (the weather is not too cold or too hot and dry, the roads are smooth, etc.).
If the driver is careless in driving (speeding, especially on bad road surfaces; sharp and fast turns; too sudden release of the clutch; etc.), the car is going to last less time. Vice versa, the driver can be too cautious (driving too slowly; delayed release of the clutch; etc.). That also can create certain problems for the car.
Some drivers are sensitive and pay due attention to all possible abnormalities of the car. Such cars, as people say, are in good hands. Other people can either neglect possible problems or can be too attentive to some insignificant details. Problems with the car are possible in both cases. Maintenance of the car and its systematic check are other qualities that drivers may or may not have.
In addition, the same driver can be, for example, intelligent in relation to certain parts or systems of the car, while neglecting some others.
Related web page: Human genetics and diseases
References
Bonn JA, Readhead CP, Timmons BH, Enhanced adaptive behavioural response in agoraphobic patients pretreated with breathing retraining, Lancet 1984 Sep 22; 2(8404): 665-669.
Esquivel E, Chaussain M, Plouin P, Ponsot G, Arthuis M, Physical exercise and voluntary hyperventilation in childhood absence epilepsy, Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 1991 Aug; 79(2): p. 127-132.
Holt PE, Andrews G, Provocation of panic: three elements of the panic reaction in four anxiety disorders, Behav Res Ther 1989; 27(3): p. 253-261.
Mojsoski N, Pavicic F, Study of bronchial reactivity using dry, cold air and eucapnic hyperventilation [in Serbo-Croatian], Plucne Bolesti 1990 Jan-Jun; 42(1-2): p. 38-42.
Nakao K, Ohgushi M, Yoshimura M, Morooka K, Okumura K, Ogawa H, Kugiyama K, Oike Y, Fujimoto K, Yasue H, Hyperventilation as a specific test for diagnosis of coronary artery spasm. Am J Cardiol 1997 Sep 1; 80(5): p. 545-549.
Nardi AE, Valenca AM, Nascimento I, Mezzasalma MA, Lopes FL, Zin WA, Hyperventilation in panic disorder patients and healthy first-degree relatives, Braz J Med Biol Res 2000 Nov; 33(11): p. 1317-1323.
Wirrel CW, Camfield PR, Gordon KE, Camfield CS, Dooley JM, and Hanna BD, Will a critical level of hypocapnia always induce an absence seizure? Epilepsia 1996; 37(5): p. 459-462.