The effects of behaviorally altering acid-base physiology may interact profoundly with preexisting organic and functional compromises. Too often, simply because an organic factor has been identified, the role of learning is summarily dismissed, when in fact these conditions may actually set the stage for dysfunctional learning. The effects of the conditions themselves vs. the effects mediated by learned breathing behaviors need to separately identified and addressed. Behavioral (learned) hypocapnia may significantly interact with the following kinds of preexisting conditions:

CARDIOVASCULAR COMPROMISE: angina, heart attack, arrhythmias, nonspecific pain, ECG abnormalities

CHRONIC PAIN: injury, disease, systemic inflammation

CHRONIC STRESS: fatigue, generalized anxiety, burnout, and physical symptoms

COGNITIVE DEFICITS: learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD

EFFICACY OF DRUGS & SUPPLEMENTS: shifts in pH and electrolyte balance alter absorption

EMOTIONAL DISORDERS: anger, phobias, panic attack, anxiety syndromes, depression

FITNESS ISSUES: endurance, muscle strength, coordination, fatigue, altitude sickness, anaerobic testing

GASTRIC DISORDERS: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), non-ulcer dyspepsia

NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS: epilepsy

NEUROMUSCULAR DYSFUNCTIONS: repetitive strain injury (RSI), headache

PERFORMANCE DEFICITS: public speaking, test taking, music recitals, physical tasks, equipment operation

PREGNANCY: fetal health, premature birth, symptoms during pregnancy

PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES: self-esteem, trauma, PTSD, drug dependence

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS: asthma, emphysema, COPD

SLEEP DISTURBANCES: apnea

UNEXPLAINED CONDITIONS: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue

VASCULAR CONDITIONS: hypertension, migraine phenomena, digital artery spasm, ischemia, hypoglycemia

What are the physiological principles that account for these effects?   Click here to learn more: physiological changes.

What are some of the immediate symptoms of hypocapnia?   Click here to learn more: acute effects.