The amount of acid and base in the body is carefully controlled because the right balance is essential for the function of many different tissues. Because carbon dioxide is mildly acidic, the lungs can play a role in the acid-base balance of the body. The kidneys also can affect this balance due to their role in electrolyte regulation.
Body pH
The measurement pH describes the balance of acid and base in the blood. The lower the pH, the more acid is present. A neutral pH, 7, occurs when there are equal amounts of acid and base dissolved in a liquid. As Lab Tests Online explains, the body attempts to maintain a pH of between 7.35 and 7.45, which means that the blood is very slightly alkaline.
Acid-Base Balance
The acid-base balance in the blood is very important because slight fluctuations can interfere with many of the body's processes. If the blood becomes too acidic or too alkaline, it can interfere with the way that oxygen is transported and with the function of proteins throughout the body. Blood has chemicals dissolved in it that work to counteract changes in pH; these substances are called buffers. The kidneys and the lungs also work to maintain the acid-base balance, the Merck Manual explains.
Diagnosis
Alkalosis is the result of the pH in the body getting too high, whereas acidosis is the opposite. Both conditions can be diagnosed using blood tests. Acid-base imbalances can be a result of changes in respiration or a result of metabolic imbalances. Medline explains that a patient's electrolyte and blood-gas levels can also be used to distinguish between respiratory and metabolic acid-base imbalances.
Acidosis
Acidosis can be a result of acid substances being ingested or due to problems with breathing, the Merck Manual explains. This latter type, respiratory acidosis, can be a result of slowed breathing or impaired lung function. Respiratory acidosis can lead to confusion and a headache. Metabolic acidosis, on the other hand, can cause nausea and vomiting, and patients may breathe abnormally quickly as their body tries to eliminate excess acid.
Alkalosis
Alkalosis can be the result of hyperventilation, an excess of bicarbonate in the blood or loss of acidic molecules. Patients with alkalosis can be irritable and experience muscle twitching, cramps and spasms. Metabolic alkalosis can be caused by vomiting, as this causes the body to lose acid. It can also be the result of baking soda ingestion or through the use of some diuretics.
