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Acidosis and Alkalosis

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Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort and Anxiety

Also Known As: Acid-Base Disorders, Acid-Base

imbalance

This article was last reviewed on May 2, 2018. This article

was last modified on October 12, 2018.

What are acidosis and alkalosis?

Acidosis and alkalosis describe the abnormal
conditions that result from an imbalance in the pH of
the blood caused by an excess of acid or alkali (base).
This imbalance is typically caused by some underlying
condition or disease.

Normal blood pH must be maintained within a narrow

range, typically 7.35-7.45, to ensure the proper
functioning of metabolic processes and the delivery of
the right amount of oxygen to tissues....

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About Acidosis and Alkalosis

Common Causes of Acid-Base

Disorders

Respiratory acidosis
Reduced CO2 elimination

Decreased breathing rate (respiratory drive)

due to drugs or central nervous system
disorders
Impaired breathing and lung movement
(respiratory mechanics) due, for example, to
trauma or abnormal presence of air between
the lung and the wall of the chest
(pneumothorax)
Respiratory muscle/nerve disease (myasthenia
gravis, botulism, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS), Guillain-Barre syndrome)
Airway obstruction (food or foreign object)
Lung disease

Respiratory alkalosis
Increased CO2 elimination

Hyperventilation due to anxiety, pain, shock

Drugs, such as early in a overdose
of aspirin (salicylates)
Pneumonia, pulmonary (lung) congestion (due
to heart failure), or embolism
Exercise
Fever
Central nervous system tumor, trauma, infection
(meningitis, encephalitis)
Liver failure

Metabolic acidosis
Decreased HCO3-, due to increased acid or loss of
bicarbonate

Alcoholic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Kidney failure
Lactic acidosis
Toxins – late in an overdose of salicylates
(aspirin), methanol, ethylene glycol
Gastrointestinal bicarbonate loss, such as from
prolonged diarrhea
Renal bicarbonate loss

Metabolic alkalosis
Increased HCO3-, due to loss of acid or gain of
bicarbonate

Diuretics
Prolonged vomiting
Severe dehydration
Diseases that cause loss of potassium
Administration of bicarbonate, ingestion of alkali

Some acid-base disorders are also "mixed"

expecially when the body tries to compensate.

Signs and Symptoms +

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On This Site
Tests:
Blood Gases
Electrolytes
Glucose Tests
Lactate
Blood Ketones
Osmolality
Emergency and Overdose Drug Testing

Conditions:
Kidney Disease
Diabetes
Lung Diseases
Alcoholism

Elsewhere On The Web

American Diabetes Association: DKA
(Ketoacidosis) & Ketones
National Kidney Foundation: Metabolic Acidosis
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases: Renal Tubular…
Mayo Clinic: Diabetis ketoacidosis
MedlinePlus: Alkalosis
MedlinePlus: Acidosis

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