Definition

Noun: A medical condition characterized by an abnormally high acidity level in the blood, specifically caused by the retention of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the body. This occurs when gas exchange in the lungs is impaired, preventing the normal exhalation of CO₂. The excess CO₂ dissolves in the blood to form carbonic acid, which lowers the blood's pH.

Usage

This term is used in clinical and medical contexts to describe a specific type of acid-base imbalance. * The patient's lab results confirmed carbon dioxide acidosis, likely due to severe pneumonia. * Managing carbon dioxide acidosis often involves treating the underlying lung disease and improving ventilation.

Advanced Usage

• Respiratory acidosis is a more general term that is often synonymous with carbon dioxide acidosis, as the primary cause is the failure of the respiratory system to remove CO₂.
• The condition is contrasted with , where the acidity arises from problems in metabolism rather than from lung function.

Variants and Related Words

• Hypercapnia (n.): The condition of having an abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the blood. Carbon dioxide acidosis is a consequence of prolonged or severe hypercapnia.
• Respiratory Acidosis (n.): The clinical term for acidosis caused by inadequate ventilation, of which carbon dioxide acidosis is a primary example.

Synonyms

• Respiratory acidosis
• Hypercapnic acidosis

Related Phrases

• To correct carbon dioxide acidosis: To medically treat the condition to restore normal blood pH.
  • The ventilator settings were adjusted to correct the patient's carbon dioxide acidosis.
• Acute/Chronic carbon dioxide acidosis: Describing the onset and duration of the condition.
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to chronic carbon dioxide acidosis.

Noun

1. acidosis resulting from reduced gas exchange in the lungs (as in emphysema or pneumonia); excess carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid which increases the acidity of the blood