Acidosis is a disorder of the acid-base balance in which the pH value of the blood drops. This is also known as hyperacidity and can have serious health consequences. What the causes are, what symptoms appear and how acidosis is treated.
- © Getty Images/Anchiy
Quick overview: acidosis
Definition: Acidosis is an overacidification of the body due to a disruption of the acid-base balance.
Causes: Acidosis can occur as a result of diabetes mellitus or diseases of the kidneys or lungs.
Symptoms: In respiratory acidosis, the main symptoms are signs of a lack of oxygen (blue discoloration of the skin, shortness of breath). In metabolic acidosis, however, very deep breathing is typical.
Therapy: The main goal is to treat the underlying disease. If the hyperacidity is due to a lack of oxygen, additional oxygen therapy and respiratory support can be considered. In the case of metabolic acidosis, alkaline medications usually help to raise the pH value.
Article contents at a glance:
Acidic foods and acid formers
What is acidosis?
Acidosis is an over-acidification of the blood. The pH value drops, resulting in a disturbed acid-base balance. In healthy people, the pH value of the blood is between 7.35 and 7.45 and is therefore slightly alkaline. If the value falls below 7.35, the blood is too acidic – this is known as acidosis and can have serious health consequences if left untreated.
However, with a pH value above 7.45, there is an excess of bases in the body, which is known as alkalosis. This also represents a pathological change in the acid-base balance that must be treated.
Forms of acidosis
Depending on the cause, experts differentiate between metabolic and respiratory acidosis:
Metabolic acidosis: It is also called metabolic acidosis and occurs when the body produces too many acidic metabolic products or does not excrete them sufficiently. This can be caused, for example, by kidney problems or a metabolic imbalance in diabetes mellitus (diabetic ketoacidosis). But poisoning with painkillers, drugs or alcohol can also trigger metabolic acidification.
Respiratory acidosis: In this form there is too little exhalation of carbon dioxide (CO2) before. This increases the accumulation of CO2 in the blood. The reason is often reduced breathing due to respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What are the causes of acidosis?
The human body needs a balanced acid-base balance in order to function smoothly. During breathing, movement or eating, metabolic products are created that can change the acid-base balance.
To ensure that acids and bases remain in balance, the body excretes these metabolic products through breathing or via the kidneys in the urine. In addition, there are certain buffer systems in the blood and tissue that can compensate for short-term fluctuations in the acid-base balance.
However, certain diseases of the lungs, kidneys or other disorders can throw the acid-base balance out of balance. This leads to an increased formation or reduced excretion of corresponding metabolic products – and thus, under certain circumstances, to blood acidification.
Causes of metabolic acidosis
Acidosis is usually the result of another illness. Metabolic acidosis can be diabetes mellitus type 1, renal insufficiency or adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease).
Other possible causes of metabolic acidosis include:
Causes of respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis can occur in association with lung diseases such as:
Symptoms: How can acidosis be recognized?
Acidosis often only becomes apparent when the underlying disease causes symptoms. Depending on the form of acidosis and its severity, various symptoms can appear that indicate hyperacidity.
The main symptom of metabolic acidosis is very deep breathing (Kußmaul breathing). Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea may also occur.
In respiratory acidosis, on the other hand, symptoms of a lack of oxygen occur. The skin turns blue (cyanosis) and shortness of breath occurs, which can lead to fainting. Muscle twitching, headaches and fatigue are often accompanying symptoms.
Other symptoms that can also occur with acidosis include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- nighttime headaches
- Fear
- confusion
- restlessness
- Delusions
Important:
Acidosis symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. If signs of acidosis occur, medical attention should be sought immediately as it can lead to serious health consequences such as organ failure, coma or even death.
How is acidosis diagnosed?
A blood gas analysis is usually carried out to diagnose acidosis. A blood sample is used to measure the pH value of the blood, the oxygen partial pressure (oxygen content in the blood) and the carbon dioxide partial pressure (carbon dioxide content in the blood) in order to gain information about the acid-base balance.
In addition, the concentration of bicarbonate in the blood is determined using blood gas analysis. Bicarbonate is one of the human body’s natural buffer systems that can be used to chemically balance fluctuations in pH. In metabolic acidosis, there is usually too little bicarbonate in the blood. In respiratory acidosis, however, the level is too high.
The blood sample is analyzed immediately after collection. The result is usually available after just a few minutes.
Blood count: Important blood values and what they mean
Therapy for acidosis
To treat acidosis, the underlying disease that causes the acidosis is first treated. Depending on the form and severity of the acidosis, further therapeutic steps are also initiated to balance the body’s acid-base balance:
Oxygen therapy and respiratory support: In the case of respiratory acidosis, giving oxygen can help to increase the oxygen content in the blood and correct hyperacidity. In severe cases, mechanical ventilation may also be required to support breathing and improve gas exchange.
Medication: All acids that cause metabolic acidosis can be balanced by alkaline medications. Therefore, bicarbonates are often used to treat metabolic acidosis. Furthermore, so-called Tris buffers can also be administered. These reduce the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and can be used for respiratory and metabolic acidosis.
Hydration: Intravenous fluid administration may be an option in metabolic acidosis to compensate for a lack of fluid due to severe diarrhea or to flush toxic substances from the body.
Acidosis is a serious medical disorder. The treatment of affected patients is therefore usually closely monitored. This is to ensure that the therapy initiated is effective and the pH value of the blood returns to the normal range.
Can acidosis be prevented?
Severe hyperacidity is often caused by chronic illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, kidney failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, those affected can take preventive measures by carefully treating these conditions and examining them regularly.
This includes, for example, the continuous measurement of blood sugar levels for people with diabetes as well as taking dietary or exercise recommendations into account. It is also important to ensure that the medication is dosed correctly and that the therapeutic measures are individually adapted to the needs.
In addition, alcohol and medications, especially painkillers containing salicylates, should not be abused. Excessive consumption of these can lead to acidosis. A healthy lifestyle, regular physical activity and a balanced diet also help reduce the risk of acidosis.
Ten tips to prevent diabetes
