Question

1. In Respiratory Acidosis what kind of symptoms are occurring with the patient? Which system will start compensating? Give an example of a condition that could cause Respiratory Acidosis.

1. In Metabolic Alkalosis what kind of symptoms are occurring with the patient? Which system will start compensating? Give an example of a condition that could cause Metabolic Alkalosis.

Answer 1

Symptoms of Respiratory Acidosis

• Headache
• Memory loss
• Sleep disturbance
• Anxiety and personality changes
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Tremors
• Respiratory depression (less than 12 breath/min)
• Hypotension

In Respiratory Acidosis kidneys start to release HCO3 to compensate acidosis, so metabolic system is responsible to compensate respiratory acidosis.

Example : Use of opoids overdose cause respiratory depression, may buiding up CO2 in lungs due to low respiratory rate will cause respiratory acidosis.

Symptoms of Metabolic Alkalosis

• Bradypenia
• Diarrhoea
• Fatigue
• Tetany
• Tremor
• Muscle weakness
• Vomiting
• Agitation
• Disorientation
• Seizures

In Metabolic Alkalosis HCO3 level increases,  respiratory system start to maintain CO2 level high by maintaining low respiratory rate to compensate alkalosis. So respiratory system is responsible to start compensating metabolic alkalosis.

Example : Use of loop diuretics cause increased urination and lose of hydrogen ions leads increased HCO3 level.