Hypercapniadescribes high carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood above 45 mm Hg.
Hypercapnia can be a life-threatening health crisis.
Carbon dioxide is produced naturally in the body during certain cellular processes.
South_agency / Getty Images
South_agency / Getty Images
What Is Hypercapnia?
Hypercapnia is a condition marked by excessive levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a waste product of respiration.
after you grab inhaled oxygen, you exhale carbon dioxide.
This process is called gas exchange.
Medical issues arise when not enough oxygen enters the lungs.
This state is known as hypercapniasometimes calledhypercarbiaor carbon dioxide retention.
They are often used interchangeably.
Hypercapnia and hypoxemia mean two different things becausehypoxemiarefers to low levels of oxygen in the blood.
It can lead to hypoxia, which describes low oxygen levels in your body tissues and organs.
Hypercapnia Symptoms
Many people are unaware that they have mild hypercapnia.
When you consider the common, everyday nature of the symptoms, you might understand why.
With severe hypercapnia, though, the symptoms and complications can become life-threatening.
What happens to the body during hypercapnia?
Hypercapnia affects your blood’s pH balance.
When you have hypercapnia, your blood becomes too acidic.
If hypercapnia happens slowly, your kidneys may be able to help restore the normal pH balance.
Some people experience only mild symptoms including headache and fatigue.
Severe Symptoms
Severe hypercapnia can cause noticeable and distressing effects.
Call 911 if you experience any of these symptoms.
Hypercapnia Causes
Hypercapnia results from excess CO2 production or reduced CO2 exhalation from the lungs.
But certain types of health issues can trigger the condition.
But even people with severe or end-stage COPD may not develop hypercapnia.
Myasthenia gravisis another neuromuscular cause of hypercapnia.
People who are AAT deficient are at greater risk for lung diseases that can lead to hypercapnia.
AAT deficiency pops up if a person inherits two mutated AAT genesone from each parent.
While it can occur in any ethnicity, it is more common among people of Northern European descent.
Other Risk Factors
Anything that can damage your lungs can put you at risk for hypercapnia.
This includes:
Can Wearing a Face Mask Trigger Hypercapnia?
No, multiple studies have found no link between face mask use and an increased incidence of hypercapnia.
How Is Hypercapnia Diagnosed?
Often, the symptoms of mild hypercapnia are simple enough for an experienced healthcare provider to address.
They are worth monitoring, particularly if they linger or get worse.
Severe hypercapnia requires a more assertive approach.
You will likely need a blood test that measures your CO2 level.
Anarterial blood gas(ABG) test measures your blood oxygen, CO2, bicarbonate, and pH.
Typically, blood tests use blood samples taken from a vein.
An ABG test requires a sample of blood from your artery.
You may also need other diagnostic tests.
How Is Hypercapnia Prevented?
Hypercapnia can often be prevented by managing the underlying cause.
Lifestyle changes can also help to prevent CO2 levels from getting too high.
This includes:
Summary
Mild hypercapnia can be hard to spot.
Often, it clears up quickly on its own.
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