Acidosis
Acidosis is a condition in which the body
fluids tend to have a higher acid content than normal. The body has a variety of
ways to compensate for mild acidosis. But prolonged acidosis can produce
weakness, headache, and heavy or rapid breathing. Severe acidosis may lead to
acidemia—a build-up of acids in the blood. Acidemia can result in coma and
death.
Acidosis itself is not a disease, but it
may warn of the presence of a disease. It arises from disorders that cause the
body to accumulate excess acid or to lose too much alkali. Most of these
disorders are respiratory failures or metabolic failures. Respiratory acidosis
results from such disturbances as severe lung disease, blockage of the upper air
passages, and chest injury. Metabolic failures involve malfunctioning of the
process by which the body changes food into energy and tissue. Metabolic
acidosis arises from kidney failure, diabetes, poisoning, and severe diarrhea.
Treatment usually consists of correcting the underlying problem and
administering sodium bicarbonate or another alkaline substance through a
vein.