Acidosis & alkalosis: Difference between revisions

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Here is a glossary of these terms, which is useful for understanding some of the [[blood buffer systems|blood buffer]] systems.
Here is a glossary of these terms, which is useful for understanding some of the [[blood buffer systems|blood buffer]] systems. There are basically four abnormalities with regards to the acid-base balance in blood. You should ask yourself three questions:
 
#'''Is the pH high or low?''' - if it's low, it's an ''acidosis'' and if it's high, it's an ''alkalosis''.
===Respiratory acidosis===
#'''Is CO<sub>2</sub> abnormal?''' - if 'yes':
Drop in body pH, due to retention of CO2.
##''Is this in keeping with the pH change?'' - i.e. when '''pH↑, CO<sub>2</sub>↓''' ''OR'' '''pH↓, CO<sub>2</sub>↑'''
 
===Respiratory alkalosis===
Alkalosis is due to excessive elimination of CO2 through respiration
 
===Metabolic Acidosis & Alkalosis===
All other causes are metabolic, and reflect a gain or loss of hydrogen ions from a source other than CO2

Revision as of 14:20, 21 September 2009

Here is a glossary of these terms, which is useful for understanding some of the blood buffer systems. There are basically four abnormalities with regards to the acid-base balance in blood. You should ask yourself three questions:

  1. Is the pH high or low? - if it's low, it's an acidosis and if it's high, it's an alkalosis.
  2. Is CO2 abnormal? - if 'yes':
    1. Is this in keeping with the pH change? - i.e. when pH↑, CO2↓ OR pH↓, CO2↑
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