# Acidosis --- **Acidosis** is a state where the [[acid-base balance|pH balance]] of one's blood is dangerously low, or in other words, dangerously acidic. Acidosis can shift the [[oxygen-hemoglobin saturation curve]] left, causing O2 molecules to fall off easier. It can be measured with an [[arterial blood gas|ABG]]. **Signs and symptoms** of acidosis are: - *headache* - hypotension - [[hyperkalemia]] - which can cause [[arrhythmia|dysrhythmias]] - muscle twitching - warm, flushed skin (vasodilation) - n/v/d - changes in LoC - Kussmaul Respirations (compensatory hyperventalation) ## Respiratory Acidosis Respiratory acidosis arises from anything impairs [[pulmonary ventilation|respiration]], or the expulsion of CO2 from our blood, which is an acid. For example: - [[COPD]] - patients with COPD are chronically in respiratory acidosis - typically it's fully compensated, because it's a slow process and the body ahs time to adapt - we only see them in the hospital for exacerbations - [[opioids|opiate]] overdoes - [[asthma]] - obstruction/trauma - hypoventilation ## Metabolic Acidosis DKA shock sepsis severe diarrhea loosing a base, acid is made as a by product renal failure salicylate (aspirin) lactic acidosis from [[cellular respiration|anaerobic respiration]] high fat diet [[ketones]] malnutrition [[ketones]] methanol/ethylene glycol (antifreeze) toxicity ___