1/2. hyperventilation or hypoglycaemia?Two women with insulin-treated diabetes who presented with hyperventilation in the setting of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, respectively, are reported. The symptoms of hyperventilation and hypoglycaemia proved indistinguishable even after successful treatment with a behavioural approach including explanation, breathing retraining, and relaxation. With diabetic patients a cognitive strategy is complicated by conditioning to think in terms of diabetic control and an inability to safely reattribute symptoms to faulty breathing habit because of the risk of ignoring hypoglycaemia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = behaviour (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/2. hyperventilation and dizziness: case reports and management.dizziness is a common symptom in patients presenting to an otorhinolaryngologist. hyperventilation accounts for up to 5% of cases with dizziness and is a contributory factor in a further 20% of cases. Six cases of dizziness due to hyperventilation are presented to illustrate the author's simple management policy. A high index of suspicion in the absence of an organic cause of dizziness and a simple provocation test will identify these cases. Management is aimed at demonstrating resting hypocapnia, investigations to exclude organic causes of hyperventilation and rehabilitation in collaboration with a clinical psychologist ensures the appropriate treatment for the dizziness and can avoid the development of chronic somatisation behaviours.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = behaviour (Clic here for more details about this article) |