Acidosis and Alkalosis Causes and Treatments

The degree of acidity or alkalinity, is an important property of our blood. The acidity level increases with the increase in the level of acidic compounds in our body, or when the level of basic (also known as alkaline) compounds present in our body, falls.

Diabetic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication associated with diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of this life threatening complication is more in the patients of type 1 diabetes, though, occasionally those with type 2 diabetes can too experience the condition.

What Causes Diabetic Acidosis?

It can  be a symptom of undiagnosed diabetes. Usually, there are some underlying conditions that play a significant role in the development of diabetic ketoacidosis. Such conditions can include, insufficient intake of insulin doses, and certain illnesses and infections like, gastroenteritis, influenza, pneumoniaand infection of the urinary tract. Even a wrong diet or eating disorder, pregnancy and conditions like, heart attack and stroke can contribute to the development of diabetic acidosis.

Metabolic acidosis is the condition that refers to a disruption of the normal balance between acids and base within the body, which can eventually lead to acidemia, or acidity of blood.

Metabolic Acidosis Causes

Several factors can be responsible for increasing the level of acids in our body and cause metabolic acidosis. It can be ingestion of highly acidic substances, or substances that can be converted to acids by our body. It can also be due to impairment of the normal excretory functions of the kidney, caused by certain kidney diseases like renal failure. Similarly, factors that adversely affect the production of bicarbonates can cause this condition too.

Metabolic Acidosis Symptoms

The symptoms of metabolic acidosis generally depend on the underlying medical conditions. Nevertheless, a few symptoms can be commonly observed in most of the cases of metabolic acidosis. These symptoms are:

• Rapid and deep breathing
• Chest pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain and loss of appetite
• Palpitations
• Headache
• Muscle pain and weakness

What is Respiratory Acidosis?
Respiratory Acidosis is a medical condition wherein the lungs are unable to get all the carbon dioxide produced in our body out. This results in a disturbance of the acid-base balance and makes the body fluids more acidic, especially the blood.

Respiratory Acidosis Causes
There are several causes of respiratory acidosis. These are -

• Diseases concerning the airways, for instance chronic obstructive lung disease or asthma. This is one of the most common cause as it involves taking the air and exhaling it.
• Problems associated with the chest, which can lead to weakening of the lungs. That in turn can harm the inhaling and exhaling capacity of the lungs.
• If the nerves and muscles which give orders to the lungs to expand and contract have been affected by a disease.
• Those drugs which suppress breathing - for example high potency pain medication, like benzodiazepines, especially when teemed with alcohol.
• The expansion of lungs is also restricted by severe obesity, which can lead to respiratory acidosis.

Respiratory Acidosis Symptoms: Respiratory acidosis is diagnosed through the symptoms of confusion, general fatigue, shortness of breath, lethargy and sleepiness. Drowsiness may also occur and may also lead to stupor or coma. For further and proper diagnosis, tests are performed for arterial blood gas and pulmonary function and chest x-ray is also performed. Know more on respiratory acidosis treatment.

Metabolic Acidosis Symptoms: Under the symptoms of metabolic acidosis, we will read about the symptoms of its different types, such as the lactic acidosis symptoms, diabetic acidosis and hyperchloremic acidosis.

Symptoms of lactic acidosis show up as nausea, vomiting, lethargy, severe anemia, low blood pressure, rapid pulse, abnormal breathing, abdominal pain and irregular rhythmic heart beat. Blood tests to check electrolyte levels is used for the diagnosis.

Diabetic acidosis, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis, has several symptoms to watch out for. They include dry skin and mouth, rapid breathing, flushed face, stomach ache, breath odor (odor of fruits), nausea, vomiting and muscle aches. Some other symptoms also crop up and they are, frequent urination, stupor, low consciousness levels, poor appetite, headache, abdominal pain and the person may feel some kind of difficulty in breathing while lying down.

Respiratory Acidosis

• Respiratory acidosis is a type of acidosis condition, wherein the respiration is decreased leading to increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the blood.
• Abrupt ventilation failure can cause respiratory acidosis. Alveolar hypoventilation can be another cause of respiratory acidosis.
• Respiratory acidosis can, either be acute and chronic. Acute respiratory acidosis occurs, if there is an abrupt failure ventilation failure. While, chronic respiratory acidosis takes place, if the level of PaCO₂ rises above the range of permissible upper limit.

• Metabolic acidosis, is another type of medical condition called acidosis, where the production of H^{^} is increased. This increase in hydrogen ions in the blood is known as acidemia. The body may also be unable to form bicarbonate in the kidney. These disturbances in the acid base content can lead to metabolic acidosis.
• Chronic renal failure, diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney failure also contribute to metabolic acidosis to some extent. Swallowing toxic substances, like excessive amount of aspirin, can also cause metabolic acidosis.
• Metabolic acidosis can be, either mild or chronic.