What happens when the body builds up too much carbon dioxide ?

Question

What happens when the body builds up too much carbon dioxide ?

Answer 1

As we breathe, the body must take in fresh oxygen and release carbon dioxide (a product of the body's 'combustion'). Although carbon dioxide is not toxic at atmospheric concentrations, too much carbon dioxide in the air will prevent the body from giving up its carbon dioxide which turns the blood acidic. In a closed space (closed unventilated bank vault, etc.) oxygen will be used up and carbon dioxide will build up(respiratory acidosis) and suffocation will ultimately occur without fresh air.

When underwater swimmers hold their breath, the oxygen in the lungs is used up and the carbon dioxide concentration rises. It is the buildup of carbon dioxide that first signals the need to rise and take a breath. If the signal is ignored a weaker signal due to lack of oxygen will kick in and if that is ignored the swimmer may suddenly lose consciousness and drown. Also the heart muscle needs oxygen to continue pumping blood, especially to the brain. The lethality of carbon dioxide is time dependent but may result in death even when there is still enough oxygen present.



Another explanation:  

Hypercapnia or hypercapnea (from the Greek hyper = "above" and kapnos = "smoke"), also known as hypercarbia, is a condition where there is too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. Carbon dioxide is a gaseous product of the body's metabolism and is normally expelled through the lungs.

Hypercapnia is the opposite of hypocapnia.

Hypercapnia is generally caused by hypoventilation, lung disease, or diminished consciousness. It may also be caused by exposure to environments containing abnormally high concentrations of carbon dioxide (usually due to volcanic or geothermal causes), or by rebreathing exhaled carbon dioxide. It can also be an initial effect of administering supplemental oxygen on a patient with sleep apnea. In this situation the hypercapnia can also be accompanied by respiratory acidosis

Symptoms of early hypercapnia, where arterial carbon dioxide pressure, PaCO2, is elevated but not extremely so, include flushed skin, full pulse, extrasystoles, muscle twitches, hand flaps, reduced neural activity, and possibly a raised blood pressure. In severe hypercapnia (generally PaCO2 greater than 100 hPa or 75 mmHg), symptomatology progresses to disorientation, panic, hyperventilation, convulsions,  suffocations unconsciousness, and eventually death.

Answer 2

To know more about

bodybuilding  

Please feel free to visit   http://learnmoreon.com/bodybuilding/