respiratory acidosis
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A medical condition of increased blood acidity: Respiratory acidosis is a specific acid-base imbalance in the body. It is characterized by an excess of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the blood, which combines with water to form carbonic acid, thereby lowering the blood's pH and making it more acidic. This condition results primarily from inadequate ventilation of the lungs, impairing the body's ability to expel CO₂.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The patient's lab results confirmed a diagnosis of respiratory acidosis.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause of respiratory acidosis.
- Management of respiratory acidosis often focuses on improving lung ventilation.
Advanced Usage
"Compensated respiratory acidosis": A state where the body's metabolic systems (primarily the kidneys) have partially corrected the blood pH by retaining bicarbonate, even though the primary problem of elevated CO₂ persists.
- The blood gas analysis showed a compensated respiratory acidosis.
"Acute vs. chronic respiratory acidosis": The condition is categorized based on its onset and duration. Acute develops rapidly (e.g., from drug overdose), while chronic develops slowly, allowing for some renal compensation (e.g., in emphysema).
- Acute respiratory acidosis is a medical emergency.
Variants and Related Words
- Acidosis (n): The broader medical term for an abnormally high acidity (low pH) of the blood and other body tissues. Respiratory acidosis is a subtype.
- Hypercapnia (n): The specific condition of having excessive carbon dioxide in the blood, which is the direct cause of respiratory acidosis.
- Respiratory alkalosis (n): The opposite condition, where excessive breathing causes low CO₂ levels and increased blood pH (alkalinity).
Synonyms
- Hypercapnic acidosis: A more technical synonym emphasizing the role of high CO₂ (hypercapnia).
- Ventilatory failure: A term describing the underlying lung dysfunction that leads to respiratory acidosis.
Related Phrases
To develop respiratory acidosis: To begin to suffer from this condition.
- Patients with severe pneumonia can quickly develop respiratory acidosis.
To correct respiratory acidosis: To treat and normalize the blood pH.
- Mechanical ventilation may be necessary to correct life-threatening respiratory acidosis.
Related Concepts
- Arterial blood gas (ABG): The primary diagnostic test used to identify respiratory acidosis by measuring blood pH, CO₂, and bicarbonate levels.
- Hypoventilation: The reduced breathing rate or depth that is the fundamental cause of respiratory acidosis.
Noun
- 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