Respiratory acidosis is a life-threatening medical condition in which the lungs are unable to effectively remove carbon dioxide from the body. A high level of carbon dioxide, a toxin, within the body abnormally increases the acidity of a person's blood. Respiratory acidosis can occur due to lung, nerve or muscle diseases that affected the way the lungs work, explains Drugs.com. Complications of respiratory acidosis can be fatal and require immediate medical intervention.
Decreased Organ Function
If the lungs can't remove carbon dioxide from the body, this toxin begins to accumulate within the body's organs. Carbon dioxide interferes with the ability of the organs to absorb oxygen from the blood. Insufficient oxygen levels in the blood make it harder for the organs in the body to function normally. As a result, people with respiratory acidosis can experience decreased organ function as a complication of this condition, explains MedlinePlus. Affected people can develop signs of organ failure, such as limb swelling; yellow skin discoloration; upset stomach; fatigue; confusion and itchy skin. If oxygen levels in the body are not restored to normal levels, poor organ function can progress to complete organ failure.
Complete Respiratory Failure
Respiratory failure can occur as a complication of respiratory acidosis, explains Drugs.com. Signs and symptoms of respiratory failure can include confusion, decreased consciousness, anxiety, seizures or heart rate abnormalities. Poor oxygen levels within the blood can cause a person's skin to appear blue, a respiratory failure sign referred to as cyanosis, explains Patient UK. Patients experiencing complete respiratory failure require immediate, emergency medical attention.
Shock
Poor blood flow through the body due to respiratory acidosis can result in shock as a complication of this condition. Symptoms of shock can be fatal and typically include abnormally low blood pressure; unusually weak pulse; increased breathing rate; sleepiness; blue skin discoloration; confusion; or low urine production, report medical professionals with the University of Maryland Medical Center.
