Kussmaul breathing

Characteristics : pronounced hyperpnea and significantly increased minute ventilation with significant respiratory effort.

Kussmaul breathing is a typical manifestation of respiratory compensation of metabolic acidosis. The increased concentration of hydrogen protons stimulates peripheral receptors in the glomus aorticum (via the vagus nerve ) and glomus caroticum (via the glossopharyngeus nerve), which activate the respiratory centers and increase ventilation. It appears, for example, in diabetic ketoacidosis or renal failure.

It is named after the German physician Adolph Kussmaul (1822–1902).

Related articles

 * Cheyne-Stokes respiration ▪ Biot's respiration
 * Dyspnea ▪ Tachypnea ▪ Bradypnea ▪ Apnea ▪ Hyperpnea ▪ Orthopnea
 * Diabetic ketoacidosis (pediatrics)