respiratory acidosis

pathology

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July 23, 2026

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Respiratory acidosis is a condition characterized by an abnormally high level of acidity in the body fluids, specifically the blood, due to inadequate excretion of carbon dioxide from the lungs. This can be caused by severe lung diseases like pneumonia or emphysema, or by medications that suppress breathing.1

In cases of Pickwickian syndrome, extreme obesity leads to a chronically decreased breathing rate. This results in insufficient removal of carbon dioxide, causing it to build up in the blood and leading to respiratory acidosis. In severe instances, oxygen levels in the blood can also drop significantly. Both types of acidosis can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.21

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acidosis
…two primary types of acidosis: respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis. Respiratory acidosis results from inadequate excretion of carbon dioxide from the lungs. This may be caused by severe acute or chronic lung disease, such as pneumonia or emphysema, or by certain medications that suppress respiration in excessive doses, such as…
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…two primary types of acidosis: respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis. Respiratory acidosis results from inadequate excretion of carbon dioxide from the lungs. This may be caused by severe acute or chronic lung disease, such as pneumonia or emphysema, or by certain medications that suppress respiration in excessive doses, such as…
Read More