Respiratory acidosis occurs when breathing does not remove enough carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide accumulates, lowering blood pH. It can develop rapidly or persist long enough for the kidneys to partly compensate.
Possible causes
Severe lung disease, airway obstruction, neuromuscular weakness, chest-wall restriction, sedating medicines or impaired breathing control can reduce ventilation. The cause and speed of onset determine the severity.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Headache, drowsiness, confusion, breathlessness and reduced alertness can occur. An arterial blood gas test measures pH and carbon dioxide; other tests identify the breathing problem and any medicine or neurological cause.
Treatment
Treatment restores adequate ventilation and addresses the cause. It may involve airway support, medicines for a reversible lung problem, reversal of a drug effect when appropriate, or non-invasive or invasive ventilation. Oxygen must be used according to clinical assessment because oxygen alone does not correct inadequate ventilation.
Severe sleepiness, confusion, blue-grey skin or serious breathing difficulty requires emergency care. This condition cannot be treated safely with home remedies.
