Blood Carbon Dioxide Level Test - Symptoms and Treatement for High Carbon Dioxide Level in Blood

High Carbon Dioxide Level in Blood

All living beings need air to breath. Air is a mixture of gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen (N2), hydrogen (H2), and noble gases. All mammals, including human, beings need oxygen to respire and exhale a mixture of carbon dioxide and a small amount of oxygen through their lungs. The major portion of carbon dioxide is present in the body either as bicarbonates (HCO3) or carbonic acid (H2CO3). Moreover, carbon dioxide is also present in a dissolved state in body.
 
The exchange of gases takes place at the alveoli level, which is an integral part of lungs. It’s a passive phenomenon in which diffusion takes place. The balance between the levels of these two gases, viz. carbon dioxide and oxygen, is required for a healthy body. Any pathological condition may arise if the balance between the gases level gets disturbed inside the body.

If the carbon dioxide level arises in body, the state is known as hypercapnia. Similarly, if the level of oxygen reduces in the blood, it is known as hypoxia. All respiratory disorders include the imbalance in blood CO2 and O2 levels.  A mild imbalance does not require intensive care but severe cases require medical attention on the spot.

Symptoms for High Carbon Dioxide Level in Blood

The symptoms associated with high blood carbon dioxide levels include increased blood pressure, rapid pulse, rubor (redness), muscle twitches, headache, chest-pain, confusion, and fatigue. All of these symptoms depend on the severity of case. 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. A suitable example is working near a furnace or professional divers where the person has to hold his breath for long to go deep inside the ocean. Another reason for high CO2 is pollution and smoking, as in both the cases the alveoli gets damaged, leading to an impairment in the exchange of gases.

The major organs which maintain the balance between carbon dioxide and oxygen are the liver and kidneys. So, a malfunctioning of any of these organs also leads to hypoxia or hypercapnia.

Treatment for High Carbon Dioxide Level in Blood

The initial treatment of unconscious patients with higher levels of carbon dioxide in their blood is artificial respiration and massage on the chest. In the majority of carbon dioxide poisoning cases, patients remain asymptomatic as there appear no specific symptoms of CO2 poisoning. A regular check up and follow up of these patients is advised.

In comparison to carbon monoxide poisoning, cases of carbon dioxide poisoning are less severe. Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is highly poisonous in nature. Even in decimal amounts, it is proved to be fatal, as it has a higher affinity than oxygen to get attached to hemoglobin molecules in blood, leading to hypoxia in the body cells. To maintain the proper balance of CO2 and O2 in blood, one should exercise daily and eat healthy. Though the body has its own defense mechanism, it is good to take precautions as it has rightly been said that prevention is better than cure.