Complications of Respiratory Acidosis
Untreated or uncorrected respiratory acidosis can lead to severe complications. The condition can cause significant damage to organs and may even result in complete respiratory failure. In such cases, extended hospital admission, often in an intensive care unit, is usually required. In some instances, interventions may prove ineffective, and the individual can go into shock, a life-threatening condition.
Outlook
The prognosis for respiratory acidosis depends on several factors, with the speed of diagnosis being one of the key determinants. Diagnosing respiratory acidosis can be challenging since the body has a compensatory mechanism to counteract increased carbon dioxide levels to some extent. Furthermore, respiratory acidosis is not a standalone condition; it is caused by underlying conditions that vary in severity and can impact the overall outlook.