high blood carbon dioxide

High blood carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels, known as hypercapnia, occur when the body cannot remove enough CO₂ through breathing. This can happen due to issues like lung diseases, impaired breathing, or respiratory muscle weakness. Elevated CO₂ levels cause the blood to become more acidic, which may lead to symptoms such as headache, confusion, shortness of breath, and fatigue. If untreated, hypercapnia can affect vital organ function. It’s usually diagnosed with blood tests and treated by addressing the underlying cause, improving ventilation, or providing supplemental oxygen or ventilatory support if needed.