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morrowasted
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Morrow Teaches Medicine #4: Acidosis and Alkalosis 1
#26681012 - 05/19/20 12:18 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Basic Medicine #4: Acidosis and Alkalosis
Quote:
Acidosis and alkalosis are concepts that are very basic to providing effective medical care, but are poorly understood by the general public. A value called the partial pressure of hydrogen (pH) reflects the acidity or alkalinity of the blood. A normal pH is between 7.35 and 7.45. Both acidosis and alkalosis can lead to death, among many other nonfatal health problems, if left untreated.
Two organs are principally involved in regulating the pH of the blood; the first is the kidneys. By excreting acidic hydrogen ions and reabsorbing alkaline bicarbonate. When the kidneys fail to adequately perform these two functions, the blood becomes increasingly acidic. This is called metabolic acidosis. Ketoacidosis is the result of a buildup of acidic byproducts of anaerobic metabolism caused by inability of the cells to use glucose for energy production due to an inavailability of insulin. Ketoacidosis typically presents in type one diabetics, but is also possible in type two diabetics and with disease process that acutely damage the pancreas, which is responsible for releasing insulin.
Metabolic alkalosis is a more uncommon condition generally precipitated by the emesis of acidic stomach contents. To compensate for continued emesis, hydrogen ions are pumped into the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid. This removal of hydrogen ions from the blood increases the alkalinity of the blood.
The other organ involved in regulating pH is the lungs. In the blood, CO2 increases the acidity of the blood by reacting with hydrogen to form carbonic acid. In inability to effectively exhale CO2 can therefore induce a condition called respiratory acidosis. This inability to exhale CO2 can be caused by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, Asthma, or acute lung conditions like pneumonia.
Respiratory alkalosis is precipitated by hyperventilation, which causes CO2 to be expelled too rapidly, raising the pH of the blood. Hyperventilation can be caused by heart attack, severe pain, anxiety, asthma, and more.
A key feature of each organ is the ability to compensate for the failure of the other to perform adequately. For example, if the kidneys are failing to adequately excrete acids, the brain will attempt to compensate via the lungs by inducing hyperventilation to expel acidic CO2. Thus, patients in metabolic acidosis are frequently observed to have what are called Kussmaul respirations, which are essentially forced hyperventilations. Conversely, if the patient has respiratory acidosis as a result of COPD, the kidneys will attempt to compensate by increasing reabsorption of alkaline bicarbonate.
These attempts to compensate eventually fail with worsening disease progression without medical intervention. The treatment for acidosis or alkalosis depends upon the cause. For example, insulin is given to treat ketoacidosis. Bronchodilators are given to treat metabolic acidosis. If you're hyperventilating due to anxiety, simply breathe into a paper to reabsorb the CO2 you exhale and prevent the development of acute respiratory alkalosis.
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morrowasted
Worldwide Stepper


Registered: 10/30/09
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Re: Morrow Teaches Medicine #4: Acidosis and Alkalosis [Re: morrowasted]
#26681046 - 05/19/20 12:32 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Next Up: understanding intracranial pressure
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morrowasted
Worldwide Stepper


Registered: 10/30/09
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Last seen: 11 days, 3 hours
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Re: Morrow Teaches Medicine #4: Acidosis and Alkalosis [Re: morrowasted]
#26685895 - 05/21/20 02:54 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Q&A time. No medical advice, just general answers to questions. Coronavirus related questions acceptable
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Crazy_Horse
I’m Rick James, bitch!


Registered: 08/15/16
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Re: Morrow Teaches Medicine #4: Acidosis and Alkalosis [Re: morrowasted]
#26685915 - 05/21/20 03:06 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Why does it burn when I pee?
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morrowasted
Worldwide Stepper


Registered: 10/30/09
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Re: Morrow Teaches Medicine #4: Acidosis and Alkalosis [Re: Crazy_Horse]
#26685940 - 05/21/20 03:17 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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You may have an STD or a UTI. Im sure you are just joking around though
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singlet_oxygen
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Re: Morrow Teaches Medicine #4: Acidosis and Alkalosis [Re: morrowasted]
#26686022 - 05/21/20 04:07 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Carbonic acid is formed by a reaction between CO2 and water resulting in bicarbonate and hydrogen.
If it reacted with hydrogen then it would be a base.
-------------------- 1O2
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morrowasted
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Posts: 31,378
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Last seen: 11 days, 3 hours
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Re: Morrow Teaches Medicine #4: Acidosis and Alkalosis [Re: singlet_oxygen]
#26686052 - 05/21/20 04:25 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Good catch, thanks!
Edited by morrowasted (05/21/20 04:46 PM)
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