Respiratory Acidosis Essay
Acidosis and Alkalosis are both conditions in which the levels of acids and bases are
not controlled. The typical pH value for the body is between 7.35 and 7.45. If the pH
is above 7.45, it s called alkalosis, and if the pH is below 7.35 it s called acidosis.
Acidosis Acidosis is an increased acidity in the blood, kidneys, lungs, or other body
tissues. There are two types of acidosis, respiratory and metabolic.
Respiratory: Respiratory acidosis is a condition where too much carbon dioxide
builds up in the body, specifically in the lungs. Some of the symptoms of
respiratory acidosis are drowsiness, confusion, shortness of breath, sleepiness, and
headaches. If caught early, the symptoms can be treated and a full recovery is
possible. Some common causes of respiratory acidosis are asthma, an injury to the
chest, obesity, sedative misuse, overuse of alcohol, chest muscle weakness, nervous
system issues, and deformed chest structures. Treatment plans for respiratory
acidosis include oral drugs to dilate airways or a CPAP device. A CPAP device is a
continuous positive airway pressure device. This device opens up airways and helps
many people breathe ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Some of the early symptoms of metabolic alkalosis are nausea, numbness, prolonged
muscle spasms, muscle twitching, and hand tremors. Some of the late stage
symptoms are dizziness, difficulty breathing, confusion, stupor (a state of near
unconsciousness), and even coma. Some of the possible causes of metabolic
alkalosis are vomiting, overuse of diuretics (any substance that promotes the
increased production of urine), adrenal disease (when your glands make too much or
not enough hormones), loss of potassium, antacids, ingestion of bicarbonate,
laxatives, and alcohol abuse. Treatment plans for metabolic alkalosis are to take oral
medications or supplements to make up for acid loss, or to combat base