Acidosis is caused by an overproduction of acid in the blood or an excessive loss of bicarbonate from the blood (metabolic acidosis) or by a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood that results from poor lung function or depressed breathing (respiratory acidosis).
Causes of Acidosis
Acidosis is categorized depending on its primary cause as
• Metabolic
• Respiratory
Symptoms of Acidosis
In mild metabolic acidosis, people may have no symptoms but usually experience
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
Breathing becomes deeper and slightly faster (as the body tries to correct the acidosis by expelling more carbon dioxide). As the acidosis worsens, people begin to feel extremely weak and drowsy and may feel confused and increasingly nauseated. Eventually, in severe cases, heart problems may develop and blood pressure can fall, leading to shock, coma, and death.
In respiratory acidosis, the earliest symptoms are
• Headache
• Drowsiness
