What is involved in the diagnosis of acidosis?

Doctors often use the arterial blood test (ABG) and the basic blood test of the metabolic profile to diagnose acidosis. The lungs and kidneys are the main buffers of acid/base in the body, and these tests generally indicate which system is affected. Further testing generally shows whether health conditions or toxicity contribute factors. Diabetes, cancer, heart, kidneys and liver diseases together with lung disease can cause acidosis. Treatment may include replenishment of oxygen or sodium bicarbonate infusion to reduce blood levels. The lungs and kidneys alternate and maintain the balance of acids and bases in the body. When the lungs cannot obtain enough oxygen, carbon dioxide levels increase and cause respiratory acidosis. When this happens, the kidneys try to compensate for all the result of an increase in sodium bicarbonate in the bloodstream. The lungs react to more oxygen to neutralize acid. Diabet acidosis, also called ketoacidosis, is the result of theThe melons of ketones in the bloodstream that developed because the body cannot regulate the blood sugar levels. Milk acidosis may occur after an intense period of physical exercise or for heart, kidneys or liver disease.

health care providers commonly use ABG as a means to diagnose acidosis. The test indicates partial oxygen and carbon dioxide and blood pH. It also reveals oxygen levels and sodium bicarbonate. If ABG denotes blood pH below 7.35, acidosis is diagnosed. A decrease in carbon dioxide or sodium bicarbonate level shows whether acidosis is respiratory or metabolic.

Healthcare providers often order a basic metabolic profile or chem-7, a blood test to obtain information on electrolyte imbalance that can contribute to acidosis. Laboratory technician generally performs a test after drawing blood from a vein. The test provides information aboutGlucose, calcium, sodium and potassium levels. Basic metabolic profiles also reveal the levels of chloride, carbon dioxide or bicarbonate, nitrogen of urea (bun) and creatinine in the blood.

Tests revealing hyperchloria or higher than normal chloride levels can provide the basis for the diagnosis of metabolic acidosis. Hypochlomia or reduced chloride levels generally suggest that respiratory acidosis is suitable. Abnormally high levels of carbon dioxide usually show respiratory acidosis, while lower than normal levels indicate ketoacidosis or metabolic acidosis. Hyperkalaemia or elevated potassium levels could indicate either metabolic or respiratory acidosis.