Dr. Sarah

Well, the reason you have not found a clear answer is because of the questions you asked. First of all, chronic bronchitis does not necessarily "lead" to emphysema. The two often occur together as smoking is the number one cause for both. Chronic bronchit...

This is a very complex process. Here is a good review for you. "4.5.3 Chronic Respiratory Acidosis: Renal Bicarbonate Retention With continuation of the acidosis, the kidneys respond by retaining bicarbonate. If the respiratory acidosis persists then the...