What Is Hypercapnia?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
6. Risk Factors
Risk factors of hypercapnia, especially due to COPD, are individuals who smoke or use tobacco heavily, those with asthma (especially those who also smoke), individuals who live or work in environments where they breathe in fumes or chemicals (such as chemical plants, electrical plants, warehouses, and factories), and age (as hypercapnia generally only shows symptoms after the age of 40 years old).
Other risk factors include those who are obese, have sleep apnea, pulmonary embolus, nerve and muscular issues (such as muscular dystrophies or Guillain-Barre syndrome), positive family history, and those with genetic causes such as those with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency syndrome.
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