What Is Hypercapnia?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
4. Causes
Hypercapnia can be caused by various conditions where there is decreased consciousness, hypoventilation, and lung disease. It may also occur when there is exposure to an environment where there is abnormally high levels of carbon dioxide.
This can occur when one rebreathes exhaled carbon dioxide or is caught in an area where there is geothermal or volcanic activity. Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure can occur when there is acute illness such as neuromuscular disease, chest wall deformity, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can also occur when the breathing muscles are weakened like in acute severe asthma, severe pneumonia, or depression of respiratory center due to drug abuse.
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