Acid-Base Balance: Key Concepts and Mechanisms

When you breathe, your lungs remove excess carbon dioxide from your body. When the lungs can't do this, the blood and other fluids become too acidic.

Symptoms Of Respiratory Acidosis
Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, and confusion.

Causes Of Respiratory Acidosis
There are many different causes of respiratory acidosis including:

• Chest Discomfort
• Lung And Airway Diseases
• Overuse Of Sedatives
• Obesity

Types Of Respiratory Acidosis
Chronic respiratory acidosis has no symptoms. In this the blood gradually becomes acidic and the kidneys adjust to compensate, returning the blood to normal pH balance. Acute respiratory acidosis occurs suddenly, giving the kidneys no time to adjust. People with chronic respiratory acidosis may experience acute respiratory acidosis due to another disease that makes the condition worse.

Diagnosis Of Respiratory Acidosis
A complete physical examination is necessary. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Arterial Blood Gas Test
• Metabolic Test
• Pulmonary Function Test
• Chest X-ray

Treatment Of Respiratory Acidosis
You should see a doctor immediately for treatment of acute respiratory acidosis, as it can be a life-threatening condition. Treatment is according to the cause. Bronchodilator medications may be given to correct some types of airway obstruction. If the oxygen level in your blood is too low, you may need oxygen.

To treat chronic respiratory acidosis, the underlying cause needs to be determined for appropriate treatment. The reason for this could be deformity of any organ, infection or any kind of inflammation. Each cause may require different treatments, from antibiotics to a breathing machine.

Complications Of Respiratory Acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is serious and requires immediate medical attention or else respiratory failure, organ failure and shock can occur.

Prevention Of Respiratory Acidosis
You can take steps to help prevent certain conditions that cause respiratory acidosis. This can be prevented by maintaining a balanced weight, not consuming alcohol and not smoking.

Read More - (What is oxygen therapy)

Metabolic acidosis occurs either when your body produces too much acid, or when your kidneys are unable to remove it properly.

Symptoms of metabolic acidosis
Symptoms may include rapid breathing, fatigue, and confusion.

Causes Of Metabolic Acidosis
There are three main types of metabolic acidosis. The first diabetic acidosis is usually caused by uncontrolled type 1 diabetes. Hyperchloremic acidosis occurs when too much sodium bicarbonate is lost from the body, lactic acidosis occurs when too much lactic acid is produced, which can have the following reasons such as -

• Exercising For A Long Time
• Lack Of Oxygen
• Certain Medications, Including Salicylates
• Low Blood Sugar, Or Hypoglycemia
• Liquor
• Liver Failure
• Cancer
• Dehydration
• Toxicity From Consuming Too Much Aspirin, Ethylene Glycol, And Methanol

Diagnosis Of Metabolic Acidosis
Diagnostic testing includes serum electrolytes, urine pH, and arterial blood gas testing. Once acidosis is confirmed, other tests may be necessary to find the cause.

Read More - (Oxygen concentrators)

Treatment Of Metabolic Acidosis
Acidosis can be treated by returning the blood to normal pH.

Complications Of Metabolic Acidosis
In severe cases, shock can occur and may be life threatening.

Alkalosis occurs when alkaline levels become too high due to a decrease in carbon dioxide or an increase in bicarbonate. There are five types of alkalinity.

Symptoms of Alkalosis
Symptoms of alkalosis may include:

• Muscle Cramps, Hand Tremors, Muscle Cramps
• Numbness
• Nausea
• Vomit
• Dizzy
• Confusion

Causes And Types Of Alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis occurs when your blood has low levels of carbon dioxide. This may be caused by several factors, including:

• Lack Of Oxygen
• Go To Higher Altitude
• Fever
• Lung Disease
• Liver Disease
• Salicylate Poisoning

When you have alkalosis your carbon dioxide levels are low. This causes the body to release more bicarbonate to bring the blood pH level back to normal. This is called compensated alkalosis. When you have too much bicarbonate in your blood, it is called metabolic alkalosis. This can happen due to prolonged vomiting. Prolonged vomiting can also cause you to lose too much chloride. This is called hypochloremic alkalosis. Taking certain diuretic medications can cause potassium to become too low. This is called hypokalemic alkalosis.

Read more - (Bicarbonate Test)

Diagnosis of Alkalosis
Testing for alkalosis may include blood gas analysis, urinalysis, and urine pH.

Treatment of Alkalosis
Some medications (such as chloride and potassium) can help repair the chemical damage.

Complications of Alkalosis
In severe cases, alkalosis can lead to heart failure or coma.

Read more - (Respiratory Depression)

Alkalosis and acidosis can become very serious if left untreated. Contact your doctor if you think you have developed symptoms of any condition.