Metabolic+Acidosis

Metabolic Acidosis by Chelsey and Kayla

toc = = = Introduction = Metabolic Acidosis occurs when there is too much acid in the body, this can be as a result of overproduction of acid, or as a result of the fact that the kidneys can no longer remove enough of the acid to keep the body healthy. Metabolic Acidosis is a result of other diseases including: Cancer, overexercising, liver failure, hypoglycemia, lack of oxygen (shock, heart failure, anemia) or dehydration. Because of the systems that these things effect, acid goes unchecked, and effects the body negatively.



= Symptoms = Symptoms of metabolic acidosis include diarrhea, [|renal failure], increased rate and depth of breathing, [|hyperventilation], pale and clammy skin, cardiac arrhythmia, decreased heart rate, dizziness, cough, fits and [|mental confusion].

= Causes = [|Bicarbonate] production takes place in the kidneys. Acid can be developed internally, or be introduced from external sources. The kidneys can no longer properly remove the acid in the body, therefore there is excess. The acid causes the symptoms listed in the symptoms section (see table of contents, or two sections down)



= Henderson/Hasselbalch Approach = Henderson Hasselbalch describes the relationship between blood pH and H2CO3 system that keeps the plasma in the body at a balance. There is a scientific equation to go with this theory, but this cannot be used in relation to Metabolic Acidosis because of the flaws in the kidneys and buffering system. During this, CO2 combines with water and creates carbonic acid. The carbonic acid (H2CO3) separates into a hydrogen ion and a bicarbonate, HCO3-.

The above does not work because the pH of the body tissue becomes acidic, because the kidneys arent breaking down acidic particles in the body, or, the body is making extra hydrogen. The imbalance causing the flaws that are Metabolic Acidosis.

Karl Albert Hasselbalch
Karl was a physician and a chemist, he and Henderson graduated Harvard the same year, 1898. Hasselbalch became one of the first to create a pH measurement for the body. He also was the first to discover the pH measurement in the blood.

Lawrence Joseph Henderson
Lawrence was a bit more accomplished than his counterpart. He graduated from Harvard as well, in 1898. Henderson was involved in almost every aspect of science; physicist, biologist, chemist, philosopher, and sociologist. His research pertained to acid base regulation and was the first to work with the buffering system, which he was also the first to discover and understand.

= = =References = http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/768268-overview http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolic_acidosis http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/768268-treatment http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/metabolic-acidosis/overview.html http://www.cotf.edu/ete/images/modules/waterq/bicarb.GIF http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/cardiology/cardiac-arrhythmias/