K.N.O.W. Home Health - HYPERCAPNIA

HYPERCAPNIA

What is Hypercapnia?
Hypercapnia means there is too much carbon dioxide (CO₂) in your blood. CO₂ is a gas your body makes when you breathe and your cells make energy. Normally, your lungs remove CO₂ when you exhale. If your lungs can’t get rid of enough CO₂, it builds up in your blood.

Causes of Hypercapnia

Chronic lung diseases like COPD, emphysema, or severe asthma
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (shallow breathing during sleep or rest due to weight)
Neuromuscular diseases that weaken breathing muscles
Severe sleep apnea (stopping breathing during sleep)
Lung infections such as pneumonia
Slow or shallow breathing from sedative medicines, drug overdose, or head injury

Risks of Having Hypercapnia

Can cause confusion, tiredness, and headaches
Can lower oxygen levels, leading to shortness of breath
Can strain the heart and brain
Severe untreated hypercapnia can lead to respiratory failure, coma, or death

Symptoms of Hypercapnia

Shortness of breath
Feeling sleepy, tired, or confused
Headache
Red or flushed skin
Rapid breathing or trouble breathing
In severe cases: tremors, irregular heartbeat, or passing out

Treatments for Hypercapnia

Treating the cause (like infection, blocked airways, or lung disease flare-ups)
Oxygen therapy (must be carefully given for some lung conditions)
Non-invasive ventilation (like CPAP or BiPAP machines to help push air in and out)
Inhalers or medicines to open airways
Lung rehabilitation exercises to improve breathing strength

How to Reduce Hypercapnia Episodes

Use CPAP or BiPAP exactly as prescribed
Take inhalers and medicines as directed
Avoid smoking or exposure to smoke and strong fumes
Stay active within your limits to keep lungs healthy
Practice breathing exercises recommended by your healthcare provider
Get flu and pneumonia vaccines to prevent lung infections

Special Diet

Eat small, frequent meals to avoid bloating (full stomach can make breathing harder)
Avoid very heavy, high-fat meals that make you overly full
Stay hydrated unless your doctor tells you otherwise
If overweight, work with your doctor on a safe weight-loss plan to help your breathing

Special Precautions and Considerations

Always keep emergency contact and medical information with you
Keep rescue inhalers or breathing equipment ready
Avoid alcohol and sedating drugs unless approved by your doctor
Watch for early signs of CO₂ buildup like morning headaches or confusion
Keep follow-up appointments for lung function tests and blood work

When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Call if you have:

New or worsening shortness of breath
More tiredness, sleepiness, or confusion than usual
Morning headaches that are getting worse
Fever, cough, or signs of lung infection
Trouble using breathing equipment or inhalers

Go to the Emergency Room Immediately If You Have:

Severe trouble breathing or can’t catch your breath
Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
Extreme confusion or can’t stay awake
Bluish lips or fingers
You stop breathing or someone notices long pauses in your breathing

Patient Homework / Assessment

Write “True” or “False” before each number. Please correct False statements.

___ Hypercapnia means too much carbon dioxide in the blood.
___ The lungs normally remove carbon dioxide when we breathe out.
___ COPD can be a cause of hypercapnia.
___ Severe sleep apnea can lead to high CO₂ levels.
___ Being overweight can never affect breathing or CO₂ levels.
___ Symptoms of hypercapnia can include headaches and confusion.
___ Using a BiPAP or CPAP machine as prescribed can help reduce episodes.
___ Smoking can make hypercapnia worse.
___ Red or flushed skin can be a sign of high CO₂.
___ Inhalers are never used to help with hypercapnia.
___ Non-invasive ventilation helps move air in and out of the lungs.
___ Avoiding sedative medicines without doctor approval is important for people with breathing problems.
___ Lung infections like pneumonia can cause hypercapnia.
___ It’s okay to skip your breathing treatments if you feel fine.
___ Morning headaches can be an early warning sign of hypercapnia.
___ Staying active within your limits can help your lungs stay healthy.
___ Eating smaller meals can make breathing easier.
___ Oxygen therapy must be given carefully in some lung diseases.
___ Hypercapnia can cause serious problems like coma or death if untreated.
___ You should always tell your doctor if you feel more short of breath than usual.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:

Have you noticed shortness of breath, confusion, headache, or feeling very sleepy that could be related to high carbon dioxide levels?

Activity Impact / Safety:
2. Are you having trouble doing your normal daily activities safely because of weakness, dizziness, or trouble breathing?

Treatment Adherence:
3. Have you been able to follow your treatment plan, such as using oxygen therapy, breathing treatments, or medications as prescribed by your doctor?

Preventive Measures:
4. What steps are you taking to prevent your carbon dioxide levels from rising, such as following your breathing exercises, following your doctor's orders if you use oxygen, using your CPAP or BiPAP device if prescribed, and avoiding smoking?

Additional Information (labs/tests):
5. Do you know when your next blood gas tests or other respiratory checks are scheduled and why they are important to monitor your carbon dioxide levels?