Question

5. Explain how the body compensates for each of the following: a. Metabolic acidosis- to compensate, the kidneys attempt to excrete additional acid and the lungs increase CO2 excretion. The patient will often develop Kussmaul respirations.

Answer 1

Metabolic acidosis is a condition that occurs when the body produces acid in excessive amount or when the kidneys are not functioning properly to remove enough acid from the body. Other factors include Intensive exercise, cancer problem, severe anaemia, heart attack, excessive alcohol intake, etc.

Metabolic acidosis starts in kidneys, showing the pH of <7.35 causing fatigue, headaches, rapid breathing issues, sleepiness.

Human body starts a counter mechanism in opposite condition. The system starts reabsorbing the bicarbonate oons as buffer and release the acids, thereby, affecting the pH. The bicarbonate and hydrogen combination is finally converted into CO₂ which is then exhaled out of of body through the respiratory system. Thus, body hyperventilates to remove acidic CO₂ at much faster rate than normal, thereby creating breathing problems to the patient.

In this acidosis, the buffers and lungs start working on compensation hours or even just minutes after the problem starts.