ACID-BASE DISORDERS – WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY WORRY?
To continue with my previous blog on pH balancing, I want to make sure you are aware of the importance of knowing what your pH level is, everyday!
Why, you ask? Because, when our bodies are in a more acidic state, they are weaker and more vulnerable to disease and dysfunction. Our body’s natural defenses and ability to repair from wear and tear become weakened. Conditions such as chronic renal failure and chronic metabolic acidosis inevitably result in a loss of skeletal muscle.
Alkalosis and acidosis are disorders that result from complications maintaining acid-base balance. Alkalosis occurs when blood pH increases, becoming less acidic while acidosis occurs when blood pH decreases, becoming more acidic.
Metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis are caused by an imbalance in the production of acids or bases as well as their excretion by the kidneys. This occurs when the body is in shock or when type 1 diabetes is poorly controlled resulting in diabetic ketoacidosis or worse, kidney failure.
Respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis are caused by changes in the carbon dioxide exhalation due to lung or breathing disorders such as pneumonia, asthma, COPD/sleep apnea, or heart failure. When either of these disorders is detected, it provides an important clue to doctors that a serious problem may be brewing in the body.