Respiratory acidosis

Respiratory acidosis is an acid-base disorder characterised by a respiratory pathological process which decreases the pH of the blood. If the acidosis is severe, it can overcome the body's defense against acidosis, causes the pH in the blood to fall below 7.35. This is called acidaemia.

Metabolic acidosis is similar but is rather due to a metabolic problem. Respiratory alkalosis is sort of the opposite of respiratory acidosis.

Respiratory acidosis occurs due to impaired ventilation (hypoventilation), which causes pCO2 to increase (hypercapnia). This is called hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Etiology

Hypercapnic respiratory failure, and with it, respiratory acidosis, occurs due to alveolar hypoventilation. For etiology, see respiratory failure.