What happens when your carbon dioxide levels are too high?

Hypercapnia is excess carbon dioxide (CO2) buildup in your body. The condition, also described as hypercapnia, hypercarbia, or carbon dioxide retention, can cause effects such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, as well as serious complications such as seizures or loss of consciousness.

How do you get rid of carbon dioxide in your blood?

The main function of the lungs is gas exchange, to provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. When high levels of carbon dioxide are elevated in the blood, it can lead to respiratory failure.

What causes CO2 levels in blood?

The CO2 test is most often done as part of an electrolyte or basic metabolic panel. Changes in your CO2 level may suggest that you are losing or retaining fluid. This may cause an imbalance in your body’s electrolytes. CO2 levels in the blood are affected by kidney and lung function.

How long does it take to get carbon dioxide out of your blood?

Carbon monoxide gas leaves the body the same way it got in, through the lungs. In fresh air, it takes four to six hours for a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning to exhale about half of the inhaled carbon monoxide in their blood.

What is a dangerous level of CO2 in the blood?

At even higher levels of CO2 can cause asphyxiation as it replaces oxygen in the blood-exposure to concentrations around 40,000 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. CO2 poisoning , however, is very rare.

What causes increased CO2 levels in blood?

Causes of high CO2 in the blood include pathological conditions namely acidosis, lung infections, atherosclerosis, vigorous physical exertion, smoking, exposure to pollutants namely CO2, scuba diving, etc. Treatment For High CO2 Levels. The treatment would depend upon the extent of severity of the condition and level of CO2 saturation in the blood.

What are the reasons for increased CO2?

The various causes of high carbon dioxide level include vigorous exercise and numerous pathological conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acidosis, lung infections, and atherosclerosis. A high carbon dioxide level in body is related to some occupations too.

What do high CO2 levels in the blood mean?

When the individual has a high level of carbon dioxide in the blood, the condition is known as hypercapnia. One of the most common causes of high levels of carbon dioxide in the body is hypoventilation. This means that the person is not breathing fast enough to support the functions of the body.