Respiratory acidosis

Definition

Respiratory acidosis occurs when the lungs cannot remove all of the carbon dioxide (a normal by-product of metabolism) produced by the body. Because of this disturbance of the acid-base balance, body fluids become excessively acidic.

Respiratory acidosis can be a consequence of any lung disease that prevents removal of carbon dioxide. Common lung diseases that lead to respiratory acidosis include: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe asthma, or airway obstruction.

Other conditions that may lead to respiratory acidosis include: obesity hypoventilation syndrome, excessive fatigue of the diaphragm or muscles of the rib cage, or severe deformities of the spine and rib cage (for example, severe scoliosis).

In chronic respiratory acidosis, mild impairment of the lungs' ability to remove carbon dioxide occurs over a long period of time, leading to a stable situation. This is because the kidneys increase their retention of bicarbonate to maintain an acid-base balance in the blood that is almost normal.

In severe cases, the carbon dioxide builds up very quickly, leading to severe disturbances in the acid-base balance of the blood.

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