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Acidosis

Acidosis occurs when the blood's pH is too low. Acidosis can be respiratory or metabolic in nature.

Universal symptoms of acidosis include:

  • Decreased consciousness.
  • Tachycardia or cardiac dysrhythmias.
  • Headache.

Respiratory Acidosis

Occurs when decreased respiratory function inhibits the exhalation of CO\(_2\), resulting in increased PaCO\(_2\).

Risk factors of respiratory acidosis include:

  • Impaired gas exchange in the lungs (COPD, Asthma, Pneumonia).
  • Impaired neuromuscular function interfering wth the diaphragm (chest injury, hypo/hyperkalemia, Guillian-Barre Syndrome).
  • Decreased respiratory drive (opioid overdose).

To compensate, the kidneys increase HCO\(_3^-\) in the bloodstream to buffer excess H\(^+\).

The signature symptoms of respiratory acidosis include:

  • Decreased respiratory rate (part of the cause).

Metabolic Acidosis

Caused either by H\(^+\) gain or HCO\(_3^-\) loss, and always appears as HCO\(_3^-\) loss.

Risk factors of metabolic acidosis include:

  • Intake of acidic compounds (aspirin, boric acid, anti-freeze).
  • Impaired excretion reducing H\(^+\) excretion (oliguria, hypovolemia, shock).
  • Increased acid production (ketoacidosis from DM, starvation, or alcoholism, lactic acidosis).
  • Loss of base (severe diarrhea, intestinal compression, fistula).

To compensate, lungs decrease PaCO\(_2\) by increasing respirations (see Kussmaul Breathing).

The signature symptoms of metabolic acidosis include:

  • Increased respiratory rate (as compensation).
  • Abdominal pain.
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