Hypoventilation

Edited by: Joe Hing Kwok Chu

The following can cause hypoventilation: 

(The following mnemonic guide helps to remember what to

 avoid to prevent hypoventilation, a cause of hypokalemia )

 Hy:  Hypnotic trance,  including religious types of 

          meditation, visualization, long distance running trance,  

          certain types of qigong  

 P:  OrganoPhosphate (some fertilizers and pesticides)

 O: Opiate. Over exertion in exercise (oxygen supply can not

 keep up with demand).

 V: Venomous snake

 E: Ethanol ( ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol)

 N:  Nicotine

 T:  TCA (Tricyclic antidepressant)

Warning: for people with neuromuscular disease, oxygen may 

                  not be the solution. 

Back to hypokalemic periodic paralysis