[The hyperventilation syndrome]

A review of literature comprises the main data on etiological factors, pathogenetic mechanisms, clinical peculiarities and methods of diagnosis of the hyperventilation syndrome. Physicians' insufficient knowledge of this disease is emphasized. Various clinical manifestations are based on the same pathogenetic mechanisms of acute or chronic respiratory disregulation resulting in hypocapnia, a rise of vascular tone, and electrolytic disorders. Of great practical importance is the use of a unified clinical classification, of which a variant is proposed by the authors. The main therapeutic modalities are: 1) psychotherapy, 2) pharmacotherapy, 3) exercise therapy.