Treatment:

Treatment is aimed at the underlying lung disease, and may include:

• Bronchodilator drugs to reverse some types of airway obstruction
• Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (sometimes called CPAP or BiPAP) or mechanical ventilation if needed
• Oxygen if the blood oxygen level is low
• Treatment to stop smoking

Expectations (prognosis):

How well you do depends on the disease causing the respiratory acidosis.

Complications:

• Poor organ function
• Respiratory failure
• Shock

Calling your health care provider:

Severe respiratory acidosis is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical help if you have symptoms of this condition.

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of lung disease.