Diagnosis

I recognize acidosis from these symptoms

definition

Acidosis is a shift in the pH of the human blood. The pH value indicates the balance of acids and bases in the body. As a rule, the body's acid-base balance is relatively balanced, only slightly basic. An absolutely neutral pH value is 7, that of human blood is usually 7.35-7.45. Acidosis means a shift into the acidic range, i.e. a lowering of the pH value. Even slight shifts in the decimal place can have a significant impact on the body. The acid-base balance must therefore be constantly balanced and adjusted by the body with the help of breathing, metabolism, digestion and excretion. Acidosis can develop in the same way if one of the body's regulatory mechanisms, for example breathing, fails.

Typical symptoms of acidosis

Symptoms depend on the severity of the acidosis. The body can compensate for a minimal shift to the acidic range via its numerous buffer systems and regulatory mechanisms. Only more serious shifts can become noticeable in the metabolism and as physical symptoms. This includes:

respiratory symptoms such as deep breathing and shortness of breath
Symptoms of shortness of breath: blue lips, tiredness, headache, impaired consciousness
Reduction of the cardiovascular system: drop in blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia
Symptoms of altered metabolism: bad breath, coma
Symptoms of altered excretion: Increased urination

Blue lips

Blue lips are a sign of a lack of oxygen. If the body is not adequately supplied with oxygen, the blood takes on a significantly darker color. This is particularly noticeable on the lips but also on the fingers and feet in the form of a bluish coloration of the skin. Lack of oxygen is a possible cause of acidosis. There may be a breathing problem behind this. If normal breathing is prevented, there is not only an oxygen deficiency but also an accumulation of harmful substances that are excreted in the exhaled air. This allows CO2 to accumulate in the blood, which is acidic and can shift the pH value of the blood.

Shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing is a typical symptom of uncompensated acidosis. A lack of oxygen does not necessarily have to be present. Both a metabolic cause and a breathing problem as the cause of the acidosis in the blood can lead to shortness of breath. Typically, what is known as “Kussmaul breathing” occurs, a noisy and deep breathing that causes more CO2 to be exhaled in order to increase the pH value in the blood. Significantly reduced CO2 values with normal oxygen levels in the blood speak for this form of hyperventilation.

Increased need to urinate

One way the body excretes the excess acid in the body is through the kidneys. Acid molecules can be specifically bound and excreted via the kidney system. This can also increase the total volume of urine. In this case, the increased urge to urinate speaks for an increased urine volume as an acute reaction to the acidification of the body.

Impaired consciousness

A disturbance of consciousness is an absolute warning signal in the presence of acidosis. The acidosis causes metabolic processes in the entire body to compensate for the excess acid. This includes numerous buffer systems and an increased excretion of potentially acidic substances via breathing and the kidneys. These metabolic processes can be associated with a significant lack of fluids. In the worst case, the increased water excretion and shifts in the acid-base balance result in a volume deficiency shock with impaired consciousness up to a coma. To treat the impaired consciousness, it is important to first determine the cause. A breathing problem can also be behind the impaired consciousness and at the same time trigger the acidosis. In this case, the impaired consciousness is caused by a lack of oxygen.

fatigue

Fatigue can also indicate impaired consciousness and be a warning symptom of acute acidosis. The numerous physical reactions to the shift in the acid-base balance are still associated with a considerable expenditure of energy. The additional dehydration can cause the patient to become very tired. The metabolic processes that start to buffer acidosis in the body sometimes produce toxic metabolic products that can trigger further symptoms in the body such as nausea, tiredness and vomiting. Overall, the tiredness speaks for an acute action in need of treatment.

a headache

Headache is a common symptom of acidosis and is typical of a breathing problem. Impaired respiratory function initially leads to a lack of oxygen with neurological symptoms such as fatigue, headaches and impaired consciousness. The lack of oxygen can lead to malfunctions and symptoms of fatigue throughout the body. Furthermore, the reduced breathing results in an excess of CO2 which cannot be sufficiently exhaled.

coma

The coma is the extreme variant of acidosis and is a life-threatening symptom. The body can compensate for and buffer light acidoses. Symptoms only develop when the body's regulatory mechanisms fail. Impairment of consciousness with a coma indicates that the body's own mechanisms cannot compensate for the severe acidosis. As a result, there is severe fluid loss with shock and the accumulation of toxic metabolic products that cannot be eliminated in time. An acidotic coma is often found in the context of type I diabetes.

Read more about the topic here: Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Bad breath

Bad breath is very typical in advanced acidosis, which is associated with severe metabolic imbalances. The exhaled air typically smells of acetone, as contained in nail polish removers. The smell is often associated with fermented fruit. Typically, bad breath also occurs with diabetic derailments. This is due to a lack of energy in the body as a result of a lack of insulin or hunger and fasting. Bad breath is an important warning signal that can be associated with severe impaired consciousness and coma.

high blood pressure

High blood pressure is very atypical in the context of acidosis. In general, various metabolic processes lead to a reduction in cardiac output. Cardiac activity is reduced, which manifests itself in a decreased pulse and low blood pressure. The reduced heart activity can even lead to dangerous conduction disorders with cardiac arrhythmias.

You can find interesting information on the subject of high blood pressure under the following link: high blood pressure

Cardiac arrhythmias

Acidosis also has a significant impact on the heart. The changed metabolic situation causes changes in the ducts of the cardiac muscle cells that lead to a decrease in cardiac activity. Their exact effects on the heart are negative "dromotropic" and negative "inotropic". This means that both the heart strength and the conduction of excitation are reduced. This can sometimes take on dangerous proportions if the lower conduction leads to a sharp slowdown in the heartbeat. A slow cardiac arrhythmia can result.

Are you interested in this topic? Read more about this in our main article about: Cardiac arrhythmias