Question

What is respiratory and metabolic acidosis and alkalosis and how does it occur and how does our body compensate for them?

Answer 1

RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS:

When lung is not able to remove enough carbon dioxide. Due to accumulation of carbon dioxide blood pH decreases below 7.35 leading to acidosis.

Occurs in airway obstruction conditions like atelectasis , pneumonia ,pulmonary edema and in case of depression of respiratory centre in brain caused by brain trauma.

Compensatory mechanism: our body retains the bicarbonate and excretes excess H+ions to prevent formation of more carbonic acid

METABOLIC ACIDOSIS :

Metabolic acidosis is excessive production of acids,decreased excretion of acid by kidneys and due to loss of bicarbonate ions. Blood bicarbonate levels are decreased to less than 21mEq/L in metabolic acidosis.

Compensatory mechanism:

Lungs–they compensate by increasing respiration or blowing off the CO2.

Kidneys–by excreting more H+ions (however,has minimum effect)

RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS :

It is a condition in which respiration is increased which elevates the blood pH beyond 7.45 and arterial pCO2 becomes less than 40mm of Hg.

Compensatory mechanism :

Kidneys excretes bicarbonate ions and ddecreases the H+ ions excretion.

METABOLIC ALKALOSIS : due to excessive loss of acids leading to pH more than 7.45 . Ultimately the bicarbonate levels are increased such as in case of vomiting and diuretics excessive usage.

Compensatory mechanism :

Lungs respond with hypoventilation

Kidneys might not be able to excrete bicarbonate due to it's impairment caused by diuretics.