| Hyperpnea | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Hyperpnoea |
| Specialty | Respirology |
Hyperpnea, orhyperpnoea (forced respiration), is increasedvolume of air taken duringbreathing. It can occur with or without an increase inrespiration rate. It is characterized by deep breathing.[1] It may bephysiologic—as when required byoxygen to meetmetabolic demand of body tissues (for example, during or after heavy exercise, or when the bodylacks oxygen at high altitude or as a result ofanemia, or any other condition requiring more respiration)—or it may bepathologic, as whensepsis is severe or duringpulmonary edema. Hyperpnea is further characterized by the required use of muscle contraction during both inspiration and expiration. Thus, hyperpnea is intense active breathing as opposed to the passive process of normal expiration.[2]
Hyperpnea is distinguished fromtachypnea, which is arespiratory rate greater than normal, resulting in rapid and shallow breaths, but not necessarily increasing volume in breathing.[1] Hyperpnea is also distinguished fromhyperventilation, which is over-ventilation (an increase inminute ventilation), which involves an increase involume andrespiration rate, resulting in rapid and deep breaths.
The exact mechanisms behind exercise hyperpnea are not well understood, and some hypotheses are somewhat controversial. However, in addition to low oxygen, high carbon dioxide, and low pH levels, there appears to be a complex interplay of factors related to the nervous system and the respiratory centers of the brain that governs hyperpnea.[3]
The wordhyperpnea usescombining forms ofhyper- +-pnea, yielding "excessive breathing".See pronunciation information atdyspnea.
This article incorporatestext available under theCC BY 4.0 license.Betts, J Gordon; Desaix, Peter; Johnson, Eddie; Johnson, Jody E; Korol, Oksana; Kruse, Dean; Poe, Brandon; Wise, James; Womble, Mark D; Young, Kelly A (September 13, 2023).Anatomy & Physiology. Houston: OpenStax CNX. 22.6 Modifications in respiratory functions.ISBN 978-1-947172-04-3.