Hyperventilation Syndrome With Unilateral Somatic Symptoms

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Abstract
OVERBREATHING produces a symptom-complex which is commonly encountered by the medical profession: Published data1,2would lead one to conclude that 5% to 11% of all general-medical patients have complaints resulting directly or indirectly from hyperventilation. The symptom-complex has been well described during the past quarter-century1-8and ordinarily presents no diagnostic challenge. However, considerable confusion can arise when somatic symptoms resulting from the overbreathing occur unilaterally, for these symptoms possess certain similarities to serious organic disease. This peculiar localization of symptoms has been mentioned briefly by other writers3,5-8and is believed to be rare. Hysteria has been postulated as its cause,8but this theory remains hypothetical. During an 18-month period, this writer has seen seven cases manifesting this curious phenomenon. The purpose herein is to give two cases as examples and summarize briefly the clinical findings, to point out the approximate frequency of unilateral symptoms, and to

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