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respiratory acidosis
acidosis resulting from breathing impairment and the resulting retention of carbon dioxide in the body; see also metabolic acidosis. The respiratory system plays a basic role in maintaining acid-base balance. In response to an increase in the hydrogen ion concentration in body fluids, the respiratory rate normally should increase
and cause more carbon dioxide to be released from the lungs. When either an obstruction of the airways or a chronic condition
involving the organs of respiration interferes with the breathing out of the carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide will accumulate
in the blood and unite with water to form carbonic acid. Respiratory acidosis may have an acute onset or be chronic in nature. In the chronic varieties, the lungs and kidneys may
be able to compensate for excessive carbonic acid by retaining bicarbonate and keeping the pH within acceptable limits.
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