What Can Cause Respiratory Acidosis?

Respiratory acidosis is a condition resulting from the lungs being unable to properly remove as much carbon dioxide as they're supposed to. When too much of the carbon dioxide produced by the body remains inside of the lungs, certain bodily fluids, as well as the pH of blood, will reduce substantially, which causes the blood to become acidic. Patients will begin to suffer from respiratory acidosis when their blood's pH dips below 7.40. The lungs are supposed to bring in oxygen while at the same time removing the carbon dioxide produced by the body. If the lungs are unable to get rid of enough carbon dioxide, it's likely the individual's respiratory rate or the movement of air in the lungs has worsened. Before treatment can begin, it's important to identify the cause so the appropriate method can be selected. Learn about the various causes of respiratory acidosis now.

Acute Pulmonary Edema

Many of the causes on this list lead to the development of respiratory acidosis because they adversely affect the lungs' ability to properly remove carbon dioxide. Any condition or disease that affects an individual's breathing can also heighten their risk of respiratory acidosis. A common cause of this condition is acute pulmonary edema, which occurs when there's an excess amount of fluid in the lungs. This fluid develops within the various air sacs located around the lungs, which is what causes the breathing issues and makes it very difficult for the lungs to remove carbon dioxide, which is a problem that will eventually lead to respiratory acidosis. This can result from serious infections, heart problems, and trauma to the chest wall. Getting early treatment for acute pulmonary edema will substantially lessen an individual's risk of suffering from a severe health problem. The symptoms associated with acute pulmonary edema include irregular heartbeat, wheezing, anxiety, feelings of suffocation, and severe shortness of breath.

Uncover the next cause of respiratory acidosis now.