Table of contents:
- What is respiratory acidosis (respiratory acidosis)?
- Respiratory acidosis type
- I
- Chronic
- What are the symptoms of respiratory acidosis?
- Various causes of respiratory acidosis that make the body's pH acidic
- Treatment for respiratory acidosis
- Acute type
- Chronic type
- How to prevent respiratory acidosis?
When the body's pH is acidic, the body will show certain symptoms that are usually uncomfortable. There are several factors that can cause the body's acidity level to increase, one of which is due to disrupted lung work which causes respiratory acidosis. So, what is respiratory acidosis?
What is respiratory acidosis (respiratory acidosis)?
Respiratory acidosis is a condition where the lungs are unable to remove all of the carbon dioxide (CO2) the body produces as a result of certain medical conditions. Whereas normally, the lungs work by inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide.
This condition makes carbon dioxide levels spike, causing the pH of blood and other body fluids to drop to the point that they are too acidic. Quoted from Healthline, acidosis occurs when the pH of the blood drops below 7.35, which is in the normal range which should be in the range 7.35 to 7.45.
Respiratory acidosis type
Based on the type, respiratory acidosis is divided into two, namely:
I
Occurs suddenly in the respiratory system, triggering acidosis. This is an emergency condition and must be handled immediately so that it does not get worse.
Chronic
This condition usually develops slowly over time and causes no symptoms. Instead, the body adapts to increasing acidity levels. For example, the kidneys produce more bicarbonate to help maintain a balance in the body's pH level.
This condition can also worsen so that it develops into acute respiratory acidosis if triggered by certain health problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What are the symptoms of respiratory acidosis?
Symptoms of acute respiratory acidosis:
- Headache
- Restless
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
If left alone without any treatment, symptoms will usually develop into:
- Excessive drowsiness and tiredness
- Sluggish
- Confused or dazed
- Hard to breathe
- Coma
The symptoms of chronic respiratory acidosis are usually less visible when compared to acute conditions. Some of the symptoms that may be felt include:
- Headache
- Experiencing sleep disturbances
- Experiencing anxiety disorders and personality changes
Various causes of respiratory acidosis that make the body's pH acidic
Some of the common causes of acute respiratory acidosis include:
- Lung disorders (COPD, emphysema, asthma, pneumonia).
- Conditions that affect the respiratory rate.
- Muscle weakness that affects breathing especially when taking deep breaths.
- Blocked (choking) airways.
- Overdose sedative.
- Heart failure.
Some of the common causes of chronic respiratory acidosis include:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Acute pulmonary edema (swelling)
- Obesity
- Neuromuscular disorders such as multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy
- Scoliosis
Treatment for respiratory acidosis
Treatment for this condition is adjusted based on the type, namely:
Acute type
Treating acidic body pH due to acute respiratory acidosis can be done by addressing the underlying cause. Consulting a doctor is the best way to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Chronic type
As with the acute form, treatment for this type of chronic condition focuses on the causes of its occurrence. The goal is to improve airway function. Some of these include:
- Administration of antibiotics to treat infections.
- Diuretic drugs to reduce excess fluid that affects the heart and lungs.
- Bronchodilator drugs to dilate the bronchial and bronchial airways.
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
- Making artificial ventilation (breathing holes), is usually done for cases that are quite severe.
Always consult a doctor to get an accurate description of your condition. This is so that you immediately get the right treatment according to the doctor's diagnosis which can determine the success of the treatment.
How to prevent respiratory acidosis?
Respiratory acidosis can be avoided by maintaining healthy respiratory function. If you have a history of asthma and other lung diseases, try to manage them well through medication and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.
In addition, habits that can damage the respiratory system such as smoking need to be avoided. Maintaining an ideal body weight is also necessary so that the respiratory system is not disturbed which can result in worse conditions including respiratory acidosis.
Try to have a healthy diet and routine physical activity that is beneficial for the health of the body, including the lungs.
