What Is Hypercapnia?
5. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term to describe a condition where there is difficulty breathing due to obstruction to respiratory outflow. COPD is most commonly caused by tobacco use or inhalation of harmful air due to pollution or occupational hazard.
With time, the irritants in the lungs cause scarring and fibrosis resulting in the loss of elasticity in the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. This means that the lungs are no longer as efficient. COPD also causes inflammation to the airways leading to the excessive production of mucus. This makes it even harder to breathe. As the scarring and inflammation prevents proper air flow, the body is unable to expel carbon dioxide leading to its accumulation. Although not all COPD patients will get hypercapnia, the progression of the disease makes it more likely to occur.
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