We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Kussmaul Breathing?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Feb 19, 2024
Views: 44,419
Share

Kussmaul breathing is a type of abnormal respiration, characterized by being labored and very deep, that can be seen in patients with extreme metabolic acidosis. This condition is usually identified and treated before Kussmaul breathing develops. Most commonly, this condition is observed in people with diabetic ketoacidosis leading to coma. It is a serious clinical sign and an indicator of the need for immediate medical treatment if it is not already being offered.

When patients go into metabolic acidosis, their blood becomes very acidic. The body uses a number of measures to compensate, including respiratory compensation. Patients in the early stages may breathe quickly and shallowly. As the acidosis progresses, Kussmaul breathing can develop. In Kussmaul breathing, patients breathe at a normal or slightly slower rate, but their breaths are much deeper than usual. This is a form of hyperventilation, causing carbon dioxide levels in the blood to drop while oxygen rises.

The patient's breathing is also very labored. The patient may sigh and can be obviously seen fighting for breath. Kussmaul breathing is involuntary, spurred by intense air hunger as the body attempts to compensate for the acidosis. The patient may lose consciousness by the point that Kussmaul breathing develops because the body enters a state of crisis in response to the falling pH in the blood.

This type of respiration is named for the German physician who first observed it in the 1870s while studying diabetic patients. In patients who have entered metabolic acidosis, it is critical to raise the pH level of the blood to stabilize the patient and then to determine what caused the acidosis so it can be treated. If patients are experiencing difficulty breathing, it is important to make sure the airway remains clear and to monitor the patient for signs of additional complications.

The early stages of metabolic acidosis are sometimes hard to identify unless a doctor is watching for it. People may feel unwell and can breathe shallowly and quickly, but the connection with falling blood pH may not immediately be made. In a hospital environment, blood gas tests and other labwork can show a disruption in blood chemistry, allowing care providers to intervene with appropriate treatments. People who are at risk for metabolic acidosis, such as patients with poorly controlled diabetes, should remain alert to the early warning signs so they can receive prompt medical attention before life threatening complications like coma develop.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By PinkLady4 — On Jun 29, 2011

The article talks about the importance of avoiding a high blood acid level (the pH level) when you have diabetes. This condition is called metabolic acidosis. This must be caused by some kind of malfunction in the metabolic system.

The shallow breathing and then the deep slow breathing are ways that the body tries to correct this high acid level in the blood.

I've read a little about pH in the healthy person. It's supposed to be healthier to have a more alkaline rather than acidic blood and urine.

By B707 — On Jun 28, 2011

It seems that someone who has progressed to the point of experiencing Kussmaul breathing is really close to a critical situation.

I think that the medical staff is doing a pretty good job of educating diabetic patients about treatment and how to watch for symptoms that are warning signs of a serious situation.

It is scary to think that difficulty breathing can lead directly to a coma in diabetic patients.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-kussmaul-breathing.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.