'''Respiratory compensation''' is the modulation by the [[respiratory center|brainstem respiratory centers]], which involveinvolves altering [[alveolar ventilation]] to try and bring the plasma [[pH]] back to its normal value (7.4) in order to keep the [[Acid–base homeostasis|acid-base balance]] in the body. It usually occurs within minutes to hours and is much faster than [[renal compensation]] (takes several days), but has less ability to restore normal values.
In [[metabolic acidosis]], [[chemoreceptors]] sense a deranged [[Acid–base homeostasis|acid-base balance]] with a plasma [[pH]] of lesslesser than normal (<7.4). The chemoreceptors send afferent fibers to the brainstem respiratory centers. The [[Respiratory center|brainstem respiratory centers]] increase alveolar ventilation ([[hyperventilation]]) so that [[carbon dioxide]] (CO2) can be breathed off, resulting in an increase of plasma pH.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507807/</ref> The amount of respiratory compensation in metabolic acidosis can be estimated using [[Winters' formula]].
In [[metabolic alkalosis]], [[chemoreceptors]] sense a deranged [[Acid–base homeostasis|acid-base balance]] with a plasma [[pH]] of moregreater than normal (>7.4). The chemoreceptors send afferent fibers to the brainstem respiratory centers. The [[Respiratory center|brainstem respiratory centers]] decrease alveolar ventilation ([[hypoventilation]]) to create a rise in arterial [[carbon dioxide]] (CO2) tension, resulting in a decrease of plasma pH.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507807/</ref>
The [[Respiratory center|respiratory brainstem centers]] can only compensate for metabolic acid-base disturbances ([[metabolic acidosis]] and [[metabolic alkalosis]]). [[Renal compensation]] is needed to balance respiratory acid-base syndromes ([[respiratory acidosis]] and [[respiratory alkalosis]]). The kidneys can compensate for both, respiratory and metabolic acid-base imbalances.