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Acidosis describes an imbalance of chemistry in the body in which the amount of acid in the body fluids and cells compared to the amount of alkali (base) is increased. When this condition is caused by not breathing well or fast enough, it is called respiratory acidosis.

What is going on in the body?

The kidneys and lungs work together to keep the level of acid and base in the body in a delicate balance. The kidneys can get rid of acid in the urine and the lungs can get rid of acid in the form of carbon dioxide gas. Many different conditions can cause the lungs not to breathe out enough carbon dioxide.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

• shortness of breath
• anxiety
• confusion or memory loss
• psychosis or hallucinations
• personality changes
• headaches
• drowsiness or fatigue
• tremors
• if not corrected, loss of consciousness, coma, or even death

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

• lung disease, such as severe emphysema, asthma, pneumonia, or chronic bronchitis
• blockage of the windpipe, such as from a foreign body
• a lack of the urge to breathe, which may occur in the use of narcotics and strong sleeping pills, stroke, or other brain damage
• weakness or paralysis of the chest muscles
• sleep apnea, a condition that causes people to stop breathing when they are sleeping
• severe obesity, which makes breathing harder

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Many cases cannot be prevented. Medications, such as those for asthma, and narcotics should be taken only as prescribed. Avoidance of smoking would prevent most cases of emphysema, a common cause of respiratory acidosis. Narcotics or sleeping pills should be taken as directed. Obesity should also be avoided.

How is the condition diagnosed?

The healthcare professional may suspect respiratory acidosis from the history and physical exam. The diagnosis is made using an arterial blood gas test. This test measures the balance of acid and base in the blood and determines if the lungs are responsible for the acid buildup. Further blood tests or x-rays may be needed to determine the underlying cause.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Long term effects are often related to the cause. Respiratory acidosis, if severe, can lead to death.

What are the risks to others?

This condition is not contagious and does not pose a risk to others.

What are the treatments for the condition?

Treatment partly depends on the cause, which is treated whenever possible. Oxygen is usually given. In severe cases, a person may need to be put on a ventilator, or artificial breathing machine. If a person has a lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema, medications may be given to try and improve lung function.

Obese people are advised to lose weight. Someone with sleep apnea can use a machine known as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device to keep the airway open during sleep

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Those who are put on a ventilator may develop the rare complications of lung infection or damage. Each medication has its own list of possible side effects, of which allergic reactions and stomach upset are two of the more common.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

If the underlying cause is fixed, no further treatment may be needed. For instance, if a person recovers from a narcotic overdose, he or she can return to normal activities. With serious lung disease, lifelong treatment is often required.

How is the condition monitored?

Respiratory acidosis is monitored by serial arterial blood gas measurements. If an individual is critically ill and needs to have blood gas measured repeatedly for several hours or days, an arterial line can be inserted - usually in an intensive care unit - to remove the need for repeated arterial punctures. Other blood tests or x-rays may be needed in some cases.