Respiratory acidosis

Respiratory Acidosis

Respiratory acidosis (/rɪˈspɪrətɔːri ˈæsɪˌdoʊsɪs/) is a medical condition characterized by decreased ventilation leading to an increase in arterial carbon dioxide concentration (PaCO2) and subsequent decrease in blood pH.

Etymology

The term "respiratory acidosis" is derived from the Latin respirare meaning "to breathe" and the Greek acidus meaning "sour".

Causes

Respiratory acidosis is typically caused by an underlying lung disease or condition that affects normal breathing or impairs the lungs' ability to remove CO2. Some common causes include Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pneumonia, and asthma. It can also be caused by conditions that affect the nerves and muscles that control breathing such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Symptoms

Symptoms of respiratory acidosis may include confusion, fatigue, shortness of breath, and lethargy. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure or coma.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of respiratory acidosis involves a series of tests including arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests, and chest X-rays.

Treatment

Treatment for respiratory acidosis focuses on treating the underlying cause and improving breathing function. This may involve medications, oxygen therapy, or in severe cases, mechanical ventilation.

Related Terms

• Acidosis
• Metabolic acidosis
• Respiratory alkalosis
• Hypercapnia
• Hypocapnia

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Respiratory acidosis
• Wikipedia's article - Respiratory acidosis

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