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Do people with COPD have a hypercarbic drive?

User Nicolo
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Final answer:

People with COPD do not have a hypercarbic drive. The primary drive to breathe in individuals with COPD is based on low oxygen levels in the blood rather than high carbon dioxide levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

People with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) do not have a hypercarbic drive.

In healthy individuals, the hypercarbic drive is the body's response to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which stimulates the brain to increase the drive to breathe.

However, in people with COPD, the primary drive to breathe is based on the low oxygen levels in the blood rather than high carbon dioxide levels.

Learn more about COPD

User Micah Yoder
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