Air hunger

Air hunger

Air hunger is the sensation of the urge to breathe. It is usually caused by the detection of high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood by sensors in the carotid sinus and is one of the body's homeostatic mechanisms to ensure proper oxygenation. Natural chemicals in the blood such as epinephrine (adrenaline) can also induce an urge to breathe by a separate pathway. Insufficient pulmonary minute ventilation, a sustained breath-hold, constriction of the alveoli of the lungs as in asthma, or high ambient levels of carbon dioxide in the air breathed can cause air hunger resulting in a respiratory distress condition characterized by dyspnea, labored breathing or gasping. Air hunger can be very distressing and triggers strong reactions to restore breathing.

In mammals (with the notable exception of seals and some burrowing mammals), the breathing reflex is triggered by excess of carbon dioxide rather than lack of oxygen. In particular, this means that air hunger is not always experienced during asphyxiation. In oxygen-deprived environments, respiration continues to cycle out carbon dioxide but does not bring in sufficient oxygen. Without the required carbon dioxide accumulation, victims may not realize they are being asphyxiated until other symptoms appear, or at all.

ee also

* Hyperventilation syndrome

References

*Banzett, Robert. [http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/physiology/dyspnealab/Symposium/Speaker1_AH_Banzett.html Hunger for Air: from Afferent Input to Cerebral Cortex] . "www.hsph.harvard.edu". URL last accessed February 26 2006.
*Banzett, Robert. [http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/physiology/dyspnealab/dyspnea_refs.html DYSPNEA RESEARCH LAB Publications]
*Dunn, Katharine. [http://www.harvardmagazine.com/on-line/030627.html Waiting to Inhale]
*Gracely, Richard. [http://www.ampainsoc.org/pub/bulletin/mar01/upda1.htm Dyspnea and Pain: Similarities and Contrasts Between Two Very Unpleasant Sensations] . "http://www.ampainsoc.org". URL last accessed February 26 2006.
* [http://www.uthscsa.edu/opa/issues/new34-9/PET.html PET images reveal brain's response to hunger for air]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • air hunger — n deep labored breathing at an increased or decreased rate (as in acidosis) * * * Kussmaul respiration …   Medical dictionary

  • air hunger — noun : deep labored breathing at an increased or decreased rate (as in acidosis and other conditions) * * * deep, rapid, and labored breathing caused by an increased respiratory drive due to abnormally low blood oxygen levels, as in severe heart… …   Useful english dictionary

  • air hunger — deep, rapid, and labored breathing caused by an increased respiratory drive due to abnormally low blood oxygen levels, as in severe heart failure or asthma. * * * …   Universalium

  • Hunger (disambiguation) — Hunger is a physical sensation experienced when the glycogen level of the liver falls below a threshold, usually followed by a desire to eat. Hunger or hungry may also refer to:*Malnutrition, a general term for the medical condition caused by an… …   Wikipedia

  • Air India Flight 182 — Boeing 747 237B Emperor Kanishka landing at London Heathrow Airport on 10 June 1985, a few days before the explosion Occurrence summary …   Wikipedia

  • Hunger strike — A hunger strike is a method of non violent resistance or pressure in which participants fast as an act of political protest, or to provoke feelings of guilt in others, usually with the objective to achieve a specific goal, such as a policy change …   Wikipedia

  • air — 1. A mixture of odorless gases found in the atmosphere in the following approximate percentages by volume after water vapor has been removed: oxygen, 20.95; nitrogen, 78.08; argon 0.93; carbon dioxide, 0.03; other gases, 0.01. Formerly used to …   Medical dictionary

  • Aqua Teen Hunger Force — This article is about the television series. For the film, see Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters. Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1 Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1 title card. Also known as …   Wikipedia

  • Aqua Teen Hunger Force (season 5) — Aqua Teen Hunger Force Season 5 Volume Six DVD cover, which features episodes 2 10 from season five Country of origin …   Wikipedia

  • Aqua Teen Hunger Force (season 4) — Aqua Teen Hunger Force Season 5 Volume Five DVD cover, which features all episodes from season four Country of origin …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”