health education

The condition in which there is excessive acid in the body fluids is called Acidosis. It is the opposite of alkalosis (a condition in which there is excessive base in the body fluids).

The responsible organs in maintaining the balance of chemicals in our body are kidney and lungs. According to experts, acidosis occurs when acid builds up or when bicarbonate (a base) is lost. It is said that this occur when the arterial pH falls below 7.35, whereas the opposite (alkalosis) occurs at a pH over 7.45. Acidosis is classified as either respiratory acidosis or metabolic acidosis.

If there is too much carbon dioxide in our body, a respiratory acidosis starts to develop. This type of acidosis that is usually caused by decreased ability to excrete carbon dioxide from the body through breathing. Moreover, other terms for respiratory acidosis are Hypercapnic Acidosis and Carbon Dioxide Acidosis. The following might trigger respiratory to a person when a chest deformity occurs, acquired a chest injury, through chest muscle weakness, if the person have a chronic lung disease, and/or over-use of sedative drugs.

Next is Metabolic acidosis, this is developing when there’s too much acid produces or when kidney cannot excrete enough acid from the body. And there are several types of metabolic acidosis. These are Diabetic acidosis, Hyperchloremic acidosis, and lastly, the Lactic acidosis.

Diabetic acidosis, also called diabetic ketoacidosis and DKA, starts to develop when substances called keton bodies, which are acidic, build up during uncontrolled diabetes. Diabetic acidosis requires immediate hospitalisation for urgent treatment with fluids and intravenous insulin.

Hyper chloremic acidosis is the result from excessive loss of sodium bicarbonate from the body, which can happen with severe diarrhea.

Lactic acidosis is a buildup of lactic acid. This can be caused by alcohol, cancer, exercising vigorously for a very long time, liver failure, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), medications such as salicylates, prolonged lack of oxygen from shock, heart failure, or severe anemia, and seizures.

Also, kidney disease, poisoning by aspirin, ethylene glycol (found in antifreeze), or methanol, and Severe dehydration can possibly trigger metabolic acidosis.

The treatment will depend on the cause of the acidosis. If acidosis is not treated, the health of the person will be at high risk. It is best recommended for those who experience this to immediately consult your health care provider.