Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a waste gas produced as product of cellular metabolism in the body. This gas is bound to red blood cells and transported to the lungs, where it is exhaled.
In the body, the circulatory system will distribute oxygen and nutrients to all body tissues and then transport metabolic waste or waste substances from cells and tissues to be removed from the body. One of these waste substances is carbon dioxide.
Although it is a waste gas, the presence of carbon dioxide is still important for the body. This gas plays a role in regulating the level of acidity (pH) of the blood and supports the respiratory process. When the body lacks or excess amounts of carbon dioxide, acid-base balance disorders and carbon dioxide poisoning can occur.
Apart from being produced from cellular metabolic processes in the body, this gas is also found in factory fumes, vehicle fumes, smoke resulting from burning garbage or waste, the source of ice or dry ice, and volcanic smoke. These smoke sources also contain a dangerous gas, namely carbon monoxide gas.
How to find out the carbon content of Diooxide in the body
In the human body, carbon dioxide is present in two forms, namely gas (PCO2) and bicarbonate compounds (HCO3). This bicarbonate compound is a chemical form of carbon dioxide bound in the blood.
Almost all of the carbon dioxide in the body is in the blood, so a common way to determine the level of this substance is with a blood test called a blood gas analysis.
The normal level of carbon dioxide in the body is 23-29 mmol per liter of blood. Test results outside this range indicate a disturbance in the acid-base balance of the blood, both acidosis and alkalosis. These conditions need to be further examined and treated by a doctor.
Impact of Carbon Dioxide Deficiency
People who lack carbon dioxide in their bodies can experience several symptoms, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, chest palpitations, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pale and bluish skin, seizures, and even coma.
Lack of carbon dioxide can be caused by respiratory disorders, where the process of removing CO2 exceeds the amount of CO2 produced by body cells. This condition can cause an acid-base balance disorder called alkalosis.
Too low a carbon dioxide level can also be a sign of other health problems, such as kidney disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, Addison's disease, and aspirin poisoning.
Excess Impact Carbon Dioxide
Too high levels of carbon dioxide in the body can cause carbon dioxide poisoning. Carbon dioxide that is too high can cause serious health problems, namely acidosis. This condition can make it difficult for oxygen in the blood to be released into the body's cells, so the body lacks oxygen.
Carbon dioxide poisoning can be caused by various things, such as:
- Respiratory failure due to disorders of the lungs, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia.
- Serious injury.
- Use of breathing apparatus in the form of a ventilator.
- Brain damage that causes impaired breathing, for example in muscular dystrophy, ALS, encephalitis, and myasthenia gravis.
- Side effects of drugs, such as class drugs benzodiazepines and opioids.
- Severe chills or hypothermia.
- Diving habits, such as scuba diving.
Carbon dioxide poisoning can cause a person to have nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and an increased heart rate. Even in severe cases, seizures, coma, and even death can occur.
Both deficiency and excess of carbon dioxide, both have the potential to cause serious health problems. Therefore, immediately consult a doctor if you feel the above symptoms.
The doctor will perform a physical examination as well as blood tests to assess levels of carbon dioxide gas and electrolytes. A chest X-ray will also be done if the doctor suspects a lung disorder that causes abnormal carbon dioxide levels in the body.
After the cause is known, the doctor will provide treatment to improve carbon dioxide levels and restore blood acid-base levels to return to normal.