Respiratory Acidosis Learning Center

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Welcome

Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when the lungs cannot remove all of the carbon dioxide produced by the body. This creates a disruption in the body's acid-base balance. Body fluids become excessively acid...

Basic Info

Symptoms
Symptoms may include: Confusion; Easy fatigue; Lethargy; Shortness of breath; Sleepiness.
Causes
Causes of respiratory acidosis include: Diseases of the airways (such as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease), ...
Tests
A chest x-ray or CT scan is a helpful way of checking the lung's appearance without having to biopsy it. Pulmonary func...
Treatments
Treatment is aimed at the underlying lung disease, and may include: Bronchodilator drugs to reverse some airway obstruc...
Drugs
  • albuterol
  • ipratropium
  • metaproterenol
Complications
Poor organ function; Respiratory failure; Shock.
Prevention
Do not smoke. Smoking leads to the development of many severe lung diseases that can cause respiratory acidosis. Losing...
Doctor Specialties
Severe respiratory acidosis is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical help if you have symptoms of this condition....

Basic Info

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