respiratory acidosis

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Word: Respiratory Acidosis

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Respiratory acidosis is a medical condition where the body becomes too acidic due to problems with breathing. This happens when the lungs do not remove enough carbon dioxide (a gas we breathe out) from the body. When carbon dioxide builds up, it combines with water in the body to form carbonic acid, which makes the blood more acidic.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: You would use "respiratory acidosis" when discussing health conditions, especially related to breathing and lung function.
• Context: It is often used in medical conversations, reports, or when talking about respiratory diseases.

Example:

• "The patient was diagnosed with respiratory acidosis after struggling to breathe due to pneumonia."

Advanced Usage:

• In a clinical setting, healthcare professionals may discuss respiratory acidosis when considering treatment options for patients with chronic lung diseases, such as emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Word Variants:

• Acidosis (noun): This is a general term for increased acidity in the blood and body fluids, not just related to respiratory issues.
• Respiratory (adjective): Relating to the process of breathing.

Different Meanings:

• The term "acidosis" can also refer to other types of acidity in the body, such as metabolic acidosis, which is caused by other factors unrelated to breathing.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "respiratory acidosis," but related terms include:
  • Hypoventilation: Breathing that is too shallow or slow, which can lead to respiratory acidosis.
  • Chronic respiratory failure: A condition where the lungs can't provide enough oxygen or remove enough carbon dioxide.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "respiratory acidosis," phrases like "catch your breath" can be related to breathing issues in general.

Summary:

Respiratory acidosis is a serious health condition caused by breathing problems that lead to too much carbon dioxide in the body, making the blood more acidic.

Academic

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

Synonyms

• carbon dioxide acidosis