Metabolic acidosis

Definition

Metabolic acidosis is a medical condition characterized by an increase in acidity in the body's fluids due to an accumulation of acids or a loss of bicarbonate. This condition disrupts the normal acid-base balance, which is crucial for various biological processes, including enzymatic reactions and cellular functions. The body’s ability to regulate pH levels is vital for maintaining homeostasis, and disturbances like metabolic acidosis can have severe physiological effects.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Metabolic acidosis can result from conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis, renal failure, or lactic acidosis, where acid production exceeds the body’s ability to neutralize it.
2. The symptoms of metabolic acidosis may include rapid breathing, confusion, fatigue, and a headache as the body attempts to compensate for the pH imbalance.
3. Diagnosis often involves blood tests that measure arterial blood gases, including pH, bicarbonate levels, and partial pressures of carbon dioxide.
4. Treatment of metabolic acidosis depends on the underlying cause and may include administering intravenous bicarbonate or addressing the specific condition causing the acidosis.
5. Chronic metabolic acidosis can lead to bone demineralization and other health issues if left untreated, as the body attempts to buffer excess acidity.

Review Questions

• How does metabolic acidosis impact the body's pH balance and what compensatory mechanisms are triggered?
  • Metabolic acidosis decreases blood pH, leading to an acidic environment in the body. In response, the body activates compensatory mechanisms such as increased respiratory rate to exhale carbon dioxide and reduce acidity. Additionally, the kidneys may increase bicarbonate reabsorption and hydrogen ion excretion in an effort to restore normal pH levels.
• Discuss how the anion gap can be used to differentiate between different types of metabolic acidosis.
  • The anion gap is calculated from serum electrolyte levels and helps categorize metabolic acidosis into two groups: high anion gap and normal anion gap. A high anion gap indicates increased unmeasured anions, often due to conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis. Conversely, a normal anion gap may suggest gastrointestinal bicarbonate loss or renal tubular acidosis. Understanding the anion gap assists clinicians in diagnosing the underlying cause of metabolic acidosis.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of untreated metabolic acidosis on organ function and overall health.
  • Untreated metabolic acidosis can have serious long-term consequences on organ function, particularly affecting the kidneys and bones. Chronic acidosis can lead to renal impairment as the kidneys struggle to excrete excess acids effectively. Additionally, it can result in bone demineralization as the body leaches calcium from bones to buffer acid levels. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures, ultimately impacting overall health and quality of life.

Related terms

bicarbonate buffer system:

A primary buffer system in the body that helps maintain pH balance by using bicarbonate ions to neutralize excess acids.

anion gap: The difference between the concentrations of serum cations and anions, used to help determine the cause of metabolic acidosis.

renal compensation: The kidney's response to changes in acid-base balance, helping to regulate bicarbonate reabsorption and hydrogen ion secretion.