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Respiratory acidosis
Definition:
Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when the lungs cannot remove all of the carbon dioxide produced by the body. This creates a disruption in the body's acid-base balance. Body fluids become excessively acidic. Alternative Names: Ventilatory failure; Respiratory failure; Acidosis - respiratory Text Continues Below

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Respiratory acidosis can result from lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe asthma. Other conditions that may lead to respiratory acidosis include: Chronic respiratory acidosis occurs over a long period of time. This leads to a stable situation. This is because the kidneys increase chemicals that help restore the body's acid-base balance. Acute respiratory acidosis is a severe condition in which the carbon dioxide builds up very quickly. References:
Murray J, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2000: 191-192. Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:1716-1717. Ford MD, Clinical Toxicology. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2001:92.
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