Unit 4: Acids & Bases Case Study

Name: Jessica Sui

Date: 10/30/16

Discuss a medical condition that is caused by a pH imbalance in the body. Think about the two scenarios
that we talked about in class (acidosis and alkalosis).
What is the medical condition you chose to research?

Metabolic acidosis
Cited Sources, Data & Findings (at LEAST three bullets of information per
source in the box):
(Author, Title of Article, Website for each)

1.

Metabolic Acidosis- http://patient.info/doctor/metabolic-acidosis

Pure metabolic acidosis is a term used to describe when there is not another
primary acid-base derangement
Those that occur are due to the effects of the metabolic derangement on the body,
or may give clues to the underlying cause
Patients may notice a subjective sensation of dyspnea caused by stimulation of
the respiratory Centre in an attempt to 'blow off' CO2 and increase blood pH
Nausea, vomiting and anorexia are frequently present, particularly in children.
Metabolic
acidosis in
occurring
in children
is very rarely due to an inborn error of
2. Metabolic
Acidosis
Emergency
Medicinemetabolism
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/768268-overview

Metabolic acidosis is a clinical disturbance characterized by an increase in plasma acidity.

Metabolic acidosis should be considered a sign of an underlying disease process.
Identification of this underlying condition is essential to initiate appropriate therapy
Because metabolic acidosis is a condition that occurs in response to a variety of disease
states, the prognosis is directly related to the underlying etiology and the ability to treat or
correct that particular disorder

3. Metabolic acidosis and kidney disease-

http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/content/27/8/3056.abstract

Metabolic acidosis is a common complication associated with progressive loss of

kidney function.

The diminishing ability of the kidneys to maintain acidbase homeostasis results in

acid accumulation, leading to various complications such as impairment in
nutritional status, worsened uremic bone disease and an association with
Summarize
the information
you found:
increased
mortality.

In addition to these adverse effects which are related to acid retention, metabolic
acidosis may also cause kidney damage, possibly through the stimulation of
adaptive mechanisms aimed at maintaining acidbase homeostasis in the face of
decreasing kidney function.

Include data/findings from all sources

Complete sentences, paragraph format
Must be at LEAST 8-10 sentences

Metabolic acidosis happens when the chemical balance of acids and bases in your
blood gets thrown off. Your body is making too much acid, isn't getting rid of enough
acid, doesn't have enough base to offset, a normal amount of acid. When any of
these happen, chemical reactions and processes in your body don't work right.
Although severe episodes can be life-threatening, sometimes metabolic acidosis is a
mild condition. You can treat it, but how depends on what's causing it. Diabetic
acidosis develops when acidic substances, known as ketone bodies, build up in the
body. This most often occurs with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes. It is also called
diabetic ketoacidosis and DKA. Hyperchloremic acidosis results from excessive loss
of sodium bicarbonate from the body. This can occur with severe diarrhea. Most
symptoms are caused by the underlying disease or condition that is causing the
metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis itself most often causes rapid breathing.
Acting confused or very tired may also occur. Severe metabolic acidosis can lead to
shock or death.