What is acidosis?
There are a number of things that define acidosis, but the most revealing is taken in what is called a blood gas or a simple blood test from an artery. In this test, pH of blood is measured and if pH sinks below 7.35, a person is considered acidotic. Similarly, a pH higher than 7.45 is considered alkalosis. Acidosis may occur under numerous circumstances and without treatment it can cause great damage to the body. People most likely to get acidic blood include those with impaired breathing conditions, or with kidney or liver damage. Essentially the body makes more acid than it can get rid of, resulting in overly acidic blood. In respiratory acidosis, the body is unable to get rid of carbon dioxide in appropriate amounts and this can change “blood gases” to show acidosis. Someone with persistent hyperventilation could briefly become acidotic, and various lung diseases or lung impairment may result in the condition. Sometimes being on a respirator in a hospital for long periods of time m
