Hypercarbia

An abnormal elevation of arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO₂), reflecting impaired alveolar ventilation or increased CO₂ production, and predisposing to respiratory acidosis and associated cardiopulmonary and neurologic disturbances. Possible causes are lung disease (COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis), mechanical obstruction (obstructive sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, tracheal tumor), neurological disorders (muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, spinal cord injury, stroke, trauma, encephalitis), medication (sedatives or opioids), enviromental factors (poor air circulation, deep-sea diving), and systemic infections (sepsis, fever).