Physiology
Acid-Base Balance
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Get access- pH = -log10[H+]
- Acidosis
- Metabolic: decreased bicarbonate concentration
- Reduced bicarbonate production
- Excess loss of bicarbonate
- Increased acid production which binds bicarbonate
- Compensated by hyperventilation to reduce carbon dioxide concentration
- Respiratory: impaired alveolar ventilateion
- Increased carbon dioxide concentration
- Chronic respiratory acidosis can eventually be compensated for by renal mechanisms
- Alkalosis
- Metabolic: loss of acid
- Loss of gastric acid contents in vomiting
- Respiratory: hyperventilation
Raised intracranial pressure can cause hyperventilation and excess carbonic dioxide losses