About Respiratory Acidosis
Key Highlights
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Addresses a critical acid-base imbalance that can affect multiple organ systems.Management is tailored to the specific underlying cause of poor ventilation.Can prevent serious complications like respiratory failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and altered mental status.Treatment often improves overall oxygenation and respiratory muscle function.Non-invasive ventilation options can avoid the need for mechanical intubation in many cases.
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis based on arterial blood gas (ABG) showing pH < 7.35 and elevated PaCO2 > 45 mmHg.
- Symptoms of hypoventilation such as shortness of breath, confusion, lethargy, or sleepiness.
- Underlying conditions like COPD exacerbation, severe asthma, pneumonia, or pulmonary edema.
- Neuromuscular diseases (e.g., myasthenia gravis, ALS) impairing chest wall movement.
- Drug overdose (e.g., opioids, sedatives) suppressing the respiratory drive.
- Severe obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS).
How to prepare
- Detailed medical history and physical examination focusing on respiratory and neurological systems.
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis to confirm diagnosis and assess severity.
- Chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests to identify underlying lung pathology.
- Blood tests to check electrolytes and rule out metabolic contributors.
- Discussion of treatment plan, including potential need for non-invasive or invasive ventilation.
- Establishing intravenous (IV) access for medication and fluid administration.
Risks & possible complications
- Progression to acute respiratory failure requiring emergency intubation.
- Cardiac complications such as arrhythmias or low blood pressure.
- Over-correction with oxygen therapy leading to worsened CO2 retention in some COPD patients.
- Risks associated with mechanical ventilation: lung injury, infection (ventilator-associated pneumonia), or barotrauma.
- Prolonged weakness or dependency on ventilatory support.
- Persistent neurological effects if severe acidosis is not promptly corrected.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Continuous monitoring of vital signs, oxygen saturation, and repeat ABG tests.
- Gradual weaning from ventilatory support (BiPAP or ventilator) as lung function improves.
- Treatment of the underlying cause (e.g., antibiotics for infection, bronchodilators for COPD).
- Respiratory therapy including chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises.
- Nutritional support and mobilization as tolerated to prevent muscle wasting.
- Outpatient follow-up for managing chronic respiratory conditions and preventing recurrence.
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Typical hospital stay: 3-7 days
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Expected recovery time: 2-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering respiratory acidosis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for respiratory acidosis in India include Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform respiratory acidosis. MediFyr helps you compare internal medicine specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for respiratory acidosis compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Respiratory Acidosis in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated internal medicine teams and experience managing patients undergoing respiratory acidosis.
Sarah Williams, a 68-year-old retired librarian...
Sarah Williams, a 68-year-old retired librarian with a 40-year history of smoking and a recent diagnosis of moderate COPD, had been struggling for weeks. She felt constantly exhausted, breathless even while sitting in her favorite armchair, and was plagued by a persistent, foggy-headed confusion that frightened her. Her daughter noticed she was unusually sleepy and irritable. At her primary care appointment, her doctor, concerned by her shallow breathing and lethargy, ordered an arterial blood gas (ABG) test. The ABG confirmed respiratory acidosis, showing her lungs weren't expelling enough carbon dioxide due to her COPD exacerbation. The doctor recommended immediate treatment with non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP) in the hospital to help her breathe and correct the acid imbalance. Sarah was terrified by the mask at first, feeling claustrophobic, but the respiratory therapist patiently helped her adjust. As the BiPAP assisted her breathing, the fog in her mind began to lift within hours. After three days of treatment with bronchodilators and steroids, her blood gases normalized. The profound relief of being able to think clearly again was overwhelming. She moved from fear and confusion to a determined commitment to pulmonary rehab and smoking cessation support, emotionally shaken but empowered to take control of her lung health.
Internal Medicine Specialists for Respiratory Acidosis
Explore experienced internal medicine specialists who regularly perform respiratory acidosis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 41 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 22 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 32 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 14 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 13 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 9 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 43 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 21 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore