Metabolic Acidosis(Archived)

Excerpt

Acid-base disorders, including metabolic acidosis, are disturbances in the homeostasis of plasma acidity. Any process that increases the serum hydrogen ion concentration is a distinct acidosis. The term acidemia is used to define the total acid-base status of the serum pH. For example, a patient can have multiple acidoses contributing to a net acidemia. Its origin classifies acidosis as either respiratory acidosis, which involves changes in carbon dioxide levels, or metabolic acidosis, which is influenced by bicarbonate (HCO₃).

Metabolic acidosis is characterized by an increase in the hydrogen ion concentration in the systemic circulation, resulting in a serum HCO3 less than 24 mEq/L. Metabolic acidosis is not a benign condition and signifies an underlying disorder that needs to be corrected to minimize morbidity and mortality. The many etiologies of metabolic acidosis are classified into 4 main mechanisms: increased production of acid, decreased excretion of acid, acid ingestion, and renal or gastrointestinal (GI) bicarbonate losses.