Effects of Elevated Body Temperature on Control of Breathing

Changes in body temperature can be evoked mainly by alterations in the peripheral temperature, or modified by shifts in the central body temperature. Two conditions can lead to abnormal elevation of body temperature: hyperthermia or fever. As regards respiratory system, exposure to heat stress is accompanied by marked alterations in breathing, especially by an increase in ventilation. Ventilation rises due to an increase in central output from hypothalamus or brainstem, an increase in peripheral output via skin temperature receptors, an increase in central or/and peripheral chemoreceptor output or sensitivity and can be also mediated through changes in thermoregulatory mechanisms.

This review summarizes results of previous studies as well as of experiments done in our laboratory in order to elucidate the mechanisms included in respiratory changes under heat stress.