ACID -BASE IMBALANCES ::
Normally the buffer systems respiratory system and kidneys function in co-ordination very efficiently to maintain the normal blood pH between 7.35 and 7.45 However under abnormal circumstances there may be a decrease in pH (7.35 to 6.8) causing acidosis or an increase in pH (7.45 to 8.00) called alkalosis The characteristics of these conditions are given in
Respiratory acidosis ::
respiratory acidosis is due to hypoventilation In uncompensated respiratory the bicarbonate -carbonic acid ratio is changed form 20: 1 to 10: 1 or 8:1 There is increase in pCO2 in the blood and hence carbonic acid The causes of respiratory acidosis are emphysema pulmonary edema injury to respiratory center of medulla or disorders of muscles involved in breathing
Respiratory alkalosis ::
Respiratory alkalosis is due to hyperventillation wherein there is decrease in pCO2 in the blood and hence shift of bicarbonate - carbonic acid ratio towards 20:0.5 The cause of respiratory alkalosis are oxygen deficiency severe anxiety aspirin overdose etc
Metabolic acidosis ::
Metabolic acidosis is due to an abnormal increase in acidic metabolic products other than CO2 or the loss of bicarbonate ions from the body Cause of metabolic acidosis are ketosis lactic acidosis renal failure salicylate overdose cardiac arrest diarrhoea etc in uncompensated metabolic acidosis the ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid may become 12:1
Metabolic alkalosis ::
metabolic alkalosis is due to loss of acids from the body or excessive accumulation of alkalies in the blood The cause of metabolic alkalosis are excessive vomiting hyperaldosteronism Cushings syndrome etc In uncompensated metabolic alkalosis the ratio of bicarbonate carbonic acid may become 31:1
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