Excessive levels of carbon dioxide (hypercapnia) can result in hypoxemia and asphyxiation.
Clinical findings with excessive levels of carbon dioxide:
(1) dizziness
(2) headache
(3) confusion or euphoria
(4) altered mental status including loss of consciousness
(5) fatigue and loss of strength
(6) shortness of breath with cyanosis
(7) nausea
(8) numbness in the extremities
(9) loss of balance
Onset of symptoms may be sudden. A diver may lose consciousness and drown.
Exposure to an oxygen-rich environment will reverse the findings but some symptoms may persist for a while.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
