Pharmacy notes: Acidosis and Alkalosis in Phathophysiology

Alkalosis 

Alkalosis is excessive blood alkalinity caused by an overabundance of bicarbonate in the blood or a loss of acid from the blood (metabolic alkalosis), or by a low level of carbon dioxide in the blood that results from rapid or deep breathing (respiratory alkalosis).

Metabolic Alkalosis: 

Metabolic alkalosis is a primary increase in serum bicarbonate (HCO3–) concentration. This occurs as a consequence of a loss of H+ from the body or a gain in HCO3.

Respiratory Alkalosis: 

Respiratory alkalosis is a condition where the amount of carbon dioxide found in the blood drops to below normal range.

Acidosis 

Acidosis is caused by an overproduction of acid in the blood or an excessive loss of bicarbonate from the blood (metabolic acidosis) or by a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood that results from poor lung function or depressed breathing (respiratory acidosis). 

Metabolic Acidosis: 

Metabolic acidosis is a pH imbalance in which the body has accumulated too much acid and does not have enough bicarbonate to effectively neutralize the effects of the acid or when the kidneys are not removing enough acid from the body. 

Respiratory Acidosis: 

Respiratory acidosis is a condition which occurs when the lungs are unable to remove all the carbon dioxide processed in body. 

Written & Verified by Diksha Bhatla

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