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Respiratory Acidosis Vs. Metabolic Acidosis

It is crucial that the body maintains the arterial blood pH within the range of 7.35 to 7.45 because it is the optimal pH for physiological processes to successfully occur. When the arterial pH falls below 7.35, it is referred to as acidosis. Metabolic acidosis occurs when the body produces too much acid, loses too much alkaline or is unable to excrete acids in the urine. Respiratory acidosis occurs due to inability to exhale carbon dioxide, which produces carbonic acid.

  1. Causes of Metabolic Acidosis

    • Metabolic acidosis can be caused by excess production of lactic acid (which occurs when oxygen levels in the body are low), excess production of ketoacids (which occurs in cases of untreated diabetes mellitus, starvation or alcoholic malnutrition), ingestion of toxins (ethylene glycol, methanol, salicylates, propylene glycol, pyroglutamic acid), and renal failure. Metabolic acidosis can also occur as a result of losing bicarbonate from the gastrointestinal tract (as in diarrhea) or the kidneys.

    Causes of Respiratory Acidosis

    • Respiratory acidosis can result from severe pulmonary disease (such as emphysema), respiratory muscle fatigue or abnormalities in ventilatory control (as may occur with ingestion of some drugs or neurological disturbances).

    Mixed Disorders

    • Though respiratory and metabolic acidosis are different processes, they can occur simultaneously in an individual causing a severe pH disturbance.

    Signs and Symptoms of Acidosis

    • Signs and symptoms of acidosis are non-specific and include headache, weakness, tremors, blurred vision, confusion or drowsiness. Prolonged acidosis may cause an altered level of consciousness.

    Diagnosis

    • A diagnosis of acidosis can be made based on the arterial blood pH. If the pH is less than 7.35 this is considered acidosis. If, in addition, the level of bicarbonate in the blood is low, this is termed metabolic acidosis. If, however, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood is high, this is termed respiratory acidosis.

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