Metabolic Acidosis

Metabolic acidosis is a condition where the body produces too much acid or the kidneys cannot remove enough acid, causing the blood to become too acidic. This affects the blood and kidneys, which are responsible for maintaining the body's acid-base balance. When the blood is too acidic, it can disrupt normal cell function and lead to symptoms like rapid breathing, fatigue, and confusion. The body tries to compensate by breathing faster to remove carbon dioxide, which is acidic. If untreated, this imbalance can cause serious health problems, including damage to organs and altered heart function. It is important to understand that this condition reflects an underlying problem affecting the body's chemistry.

Metabolic acidosis is defined as a primary decrease in serum bicarbonate concentration leading to a reduction in blood pH below 7.35. It results from either increased acid production (e.g., lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis), decreased acid excretion by the kidneys (renal tubular acidosis), or loss of bicarbonate (diarrhea). The condition is characterized by a low serum bicarbonate, low arterial pH, and often a compensatory decrease in arterial carbon dioxide tension due to hyperventilation. It is clinically significant because it can impair enzymatic reactions, reduce cardiac contractility, and cause arrhythmias. The underlying causes are diverse, including toxic ingestions, renal failure, and tissue hypoxia. Recognition and correction of the acid-base disturbance are critical to prevent morbidity and mortality.