Acute respiratory acidosis may be caused by trauma that causes chest injury and impairs the respiratory system. A bronchial asthma attack, a sudden onset of pulmonary edema, drug overdose, airway obstruction, or head trauma causing a brainstem injury may also lead to difficulty breathing and
the subsequent development of acidosis. The elderly have the potential to succumb to respiratory depression and therefore respiratory acidosis. As one ages the ability to clear drugs efficiently through the renal system is decreased; therefore taking medications, such as barbiturates, can cause a respiratory depression due to the decreased renal clearance.