What Is Hypoventilation?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
There are few things as naturally pleasurable and reassuring as being able to take a deep breath of fresh air and fill your lungs with clean oxygen. This sensation is even more heightened when it comes after some exertion like running or hiking. With all the endorphins kicking in and a positive sense of well-being, it feels good to be alive.
However, this feeling is not always achievable when your respiratory system is not operating optimally. Hypoventilation is a condition whereby there is a decreased level of oxygen and elevated level of carbon dioxide in the blood. This is brought on by limited amounts of air entering into the alveoli in the lungs. Let us look at some key facts that will help explain how and why this happens.
