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Primary alveolar hypoventilation - Symptom

Alternative Names

Ondine's curse

Symptoms:

Lethargy
Fatigue
Morning headache
Daytime somnolence
Swelling of the ankles
Bluish coloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen
Awakening from sleep unrested
Awakening many times at night

Signs and tests:

Pulmonary function tests
Blood gases
Chest x-ray
Overnight oximetry (a test to measure oxygen levels during the night)
Sleep study (polysomnography)

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Serum bicarbonate
Hematocrit

Respiratory system

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 11/13/2006
David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.