What Can Cause Respiratory Acidosis?

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a serious condition that causes inflammation in some of the air sacs throughout the lungs. When these air sacs are inflamed, they can become filled with liquid, and when this occurs, patients will have difficulty breathing and will likely cough regularly. Any combination of harmful fungi, bacteria, and viruses can cause pneumonia. While it's possible for the infection to be mild, there's a chance it can be life-threatening, which is especially common among infants and older adults. Aside from coughing and shortness of breath, symptoms of pneumonia include fever, chest pain when breathing, fatigue, and severe nausea. An individual's chances of developing respiratory acidosis when they also have pneumonia increase, as does the severity of respiratory acidosis should it occur. Most cases of pneumonia will dissipate with cough medicine, antibiotics, and pain relievers, along with sufficient rest.