Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when the lungs can’t remove enough of the carbon dioxide

(CO2) produced by the body. 

Respiratory acidosis is typically caused by an underlying disease or condition. This is also called respiratory
failure.
This may be due to a decrease in respiratory rate or decrease in air movement due to an underlying
condition such as:

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE
PULMONARY DISEASE
(COPD)
MODIFIABLE RISK NON-MODIFIABLE RISK
FACTORS “LUNGS” FACTORS
 Environment  AGE
-Smoking *MIDDLE TO OLDER
-air pollutants AGE
-Dusts ETIOLOGICAL CAUSE  GENETIC
-workplace fumes *Alpha-1 antitrypsin
UNKNOWN deficiency
*asthmatic
 CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
 EMPHYSEMA
 DAMAGE THE LUNG
TISSUE

CLOGGING OF
AIRWAYS WITH THE
MUCUS

POOR EXPANSION OF LUNGS

Normally, the lungs take in oxygen and exhale CO2. Oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood. CO2
passes from the blood into the lungs. 
Excess CO2 causes the pH of blood and other bodily fluids to decrease, making them too acidic.

POOR LUNG
COMPLIANCE
(O2 AND CO2)

PROGRESSIVE DIFFICULTY IN
BREATHING AND COUGHING

Signs and Symptoms

 Shortness of breath
 Chest tightness
 Ongoing (Chronic) cough
 Difficulty with routine activities
 Dyspnea
 fatigue
 Weight loss
 Wheezing
 phlegm
Respiratory alkalosis is a primary decrease in carbon dioxide partial pressure (Pco2) with or without compensatory
decrease in bicarbonate (HCO 3−); pH may be high or near normal. Cause is an increase in respiratory rate or volume
(hyperventilation) or both.

Hyperventilation is a condition in which you start to breathe very fast. Healthy breathing occurs with a healthy balance
between breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide. You upset this balance when you hyperventilate by
exhaling more than you inhale. This causes a rapid reduction in carbon dioxide in the body.

Low carbon dioxide levels lead to narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. This reduction in blood
supply to the brain leads to symptoms like lightheadedness and tingling in the fingers. Severe hyperventilation can lead to
loss of consciousness.