What is the difference between alkalosis and acidosis?
The primary difference between alkalosis and acidosis is that alkalosis places blood pH above normal, while acidosis places blood pH below normal. Hydrogenuitan (HCO3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) also vary, which is affected by whether acidosis or alkalosis is a respiratory or metabolic nature. Metabolic alkalosis and acidosis associate with diseases or conditions affecting HCO3, while respiratory alkalosis and acidosis associate diseases or conditions affecting CO2.
When people speak of a pH or the potential of hydrogen, they talk about how acidic or alkaline is. Blood usually has a very narrow pH range that goes from 7.35 to 7.45. This is just above the neutral or pH 7. This range is optimal for metabolic processes and correct oxygen supply, so anything beyond normal range can lead to health damage. Alkalosis means that the pH of human blood has exceeded the upper range limit of 7.45, while acidosis means that human blood dropped below the lower range of 7.35.
Blood pH is largely connected to the lungs and kidneys because these organs are responsible for the disposal of CO2 and HCO3 or acids. PH level with respiratory acidosis is low, but CO2 and HCO3 levels are high. Respiratory alkalosis gives accurate opposite results, which has a high pH with a low C02 and HCO3. If acidosis is metabolic, pH, CO2 and HCO3 are low, but when alkalosis is metabolic, pH, CO2 and HCO3 are high.
When looking at respiratory alkalosis and acidosis, the causes are not the same. Respiratory alkalosis can stem from problems such as hyperventilation, fever, exercise, liver failure or problems with the central nervous system. Acidosis, which is of respiratory nature, can also be from the problems of the central nervous system, but occurs due to traumas, blocking or diseases that inhibit breathing, like Well.
After the transition to the causes of metabolic alkalosis and acidosis occursMetabolic alkalosis by ingestion of too much HCO3, diarrhea or vomiting and dehydration. Metabolic acidosis may occur in kidney failure, loss of HCO3 diarrhea, diabetic or alcoholic ketoacidosis and overdose of toxins such as too many aspirin.
Comparison of these two conditions under the symptoms lens may be asymptomical or cause problems such as fatigue, nausea, headache and coma. Symptoms of alkalosis include convulsions and weakness. Both conditions can be serious and therefore guarantee treatment, although mild cases are relatively easy to remedy.