Acid-Base Balance PDF

[What\'s Acid-Base Balance?] Our bodies need to keep a careful balance between acids and bases to work properly. It\'s like balancing on a tightrope! Why Is It Important? This balance helps all the tiny parts of our body (called "metabolic activities") work just right. [Understanding pH Levels]...

[What\'s Acid-Base Balance?] Our bodies need to keep a careful balance between acids and bases to work properly. It\'s like balancing on a tightrope! Why Is It Important? This balance helps all the tiny parts of our body (called "metabolic activities") work just right. [Understanding pH Levels] What is pH? It is a special number that tells us if something is an acid, a base, or just in between. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14. 7 is neutral (like pure water). Less than 7 means acidic. More than 7 means basic (or alkaline). Our Body\'s pH: Our blood likes to stay between 7.35 and 7.45. [Acidosis and Alkalosis] [Acidosis (Too Much Acid)] When there\'s more H+ (hydrogen ions), the pH goes down, and things become acidic. Low pH (below 7.35) [Alkalosis (Too Much Base)] When there\'s less H+, the pH goes up, and things become basic. High pH (above 7.45) [Why Keep pH in a Delicate Range?] [Danger of Extreme pH] If our pH drops below 6.8 or rises above 7.8, it can be very harmful, and we might not survive. [Neutralizing Excess Acid] We need to get rid of extra acids to keep our pH in the safe zone. [Two Main Types of Acid-Base Disorders] [1. Respiratory] Problems with how we breathe and handle CO2. [2. Metabolic] Problems with other body functions, like how our kidneys work. [Respiratory vs. Metabolic] [CO2 is an Acid in the Blood] CO2 (carbon dioxide) comes from our lungs when we breathe. It\'s called the Respiratory component. [HCO3- is a Base in the Blood] HCO3- (bicarbonate) helps neutralize acids. It\'s called the Metabolic component. [Diagnosing Respiratory Disorders] [Measuring PCO2] PCO2 tells us how much CO2 is in the blood. Normal PCO2 is 35 - 45 mm Hg. [Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)] pH: 7.35 - 7.45 PCO2: 35 - 45 mm Hg HCO3-: 22 - 26 mEq/L BE (Base Excess): +/- 2 [Diagnosing Metabolic Disorders] [Measuring HCO3-] HCO3- shows us the metabolic side of things. Normal HCO3- is 22 - 26 mEq/L. [How Does the Body Make Acids and Bases?] Making Acids: When we digest protein, our body makes strong acids like hydrochloric acid. Making Bases: Breaking down certain amino acids makes bases that help balance acids. [How Does the Body Regulate pH?] Our body keeps pH balanced by: 1\. Creating Acids and Bases 2\. Buffering Acids and Bases Buffers are like sponges that soak up extra acids or bases. 3\. Eliminating Acids and Bases Through breathing and peeing. [Examples of pH Regulation] Buffers in the Body Proteins in our blood act as buffers. Hemoglobin and albumin are like pH superheroes! Lungs Remove CO2 (an acid) when we breathe out. Kidneys Remove acids or bases in our pee. [Proteins as Buffers] Amphoteric Nature Proteins can act like an acid or a base! They help keep pH just right. [Role of the Lungs] Fast Response Lungs can adjust pH in minutes. They can\'t fix big pH problems alone but help a lot. [Role of the Kidneys] Slower Response Kidneys take hours or days to adjust pH. They can make big changes to pH balance. How do They help? Adjust levels of H+ (acid) and HCO3- (base) in the blood. [Bicarbonate/Carbonic Acid Equation] Formula: H+ + HCO3- ↔ H2CO3 ↔ CO2 + H2O What\'s Happening? Acids and bases can turn into CO2 and water, which we can breathe out or pee out. [H+/K+ Exchange (\"The Tango\")] [How It Works?] When there\'s too much H+ (acid) outside cells, it moves into cells. Potassium (K+) moves out to keep balance. [Why It Matters?] Changes in K+ can affect pH and how our heart and muscles work. [Bone Buffers] Long-Term pH Balance Bones can release minerals to help balance pH. But too much can weaken bones and cause kidney stones. [Causes of Respiratory Acid-Base Problems] [Changes in Breathing] Respiratory Acidosis: Breathing too little (holding CO2). Respiratory Alkalosis: Breathing too much (losing CO2). [Respiratory Acidosis] Caused By: Hypoventilation: Not breathing enough. Lung Problems: Pneumonia, COPD. Muscle Weakness: Can\'t breathe deeply. Symptoms: Headache Confusion Sleepiness Fast breathing (trying to fix the problem) [Treatment of Respiratory Acidosis] Improve Breathing Medications to open airways. Machines to help breathe if needed. [Respiratory Alkalosis] Caused By: Hyperventilation: Breathing too fast. Anxiety High Fever Low Oxygen Levels Symptoms: Feeling dizzy Numbness or tingling Trouble concentrating [Treatment of Respiratory Alkalosis] Slow Down Breathing Calm the person down. Breathe into a paper bag. [Metabolic Acid-Base Problems] Changes in HCO3- Levels Metabolic Acidosis: Too much acid or not enough base. Metabolic Alkalosis: Too much base or not enough acid. [Metabolic Acidosis] Causes: 1\. Making Too Much Acid Lactic Acid: From hard exercise. Ketoacidosis: In diabetes. 2\. Kidneys Not Removing Acid 3\. Losing Bicarbonate Diarrhea. 4\. High Chloride Levels Symptoms: Feeling tired Confusion Fast breathing Heart problems [Anion Gap] What Is It? A calculation to help figure out the cause of metabolic acidosis. Formula: (Na + K) -- (HCO3 + Cl) [Treatment of Metabolic Acidosis] Fix the Problem Treat diabetes. Replace fluids. Use Bicarbonate To neutralize acids. [Metabolic Alkalosis] Causes: Losing Acid Using certain medicines. Gaining Base Eating too much bicarbonate (like baking soda). Symptoms: Muscle cramps Confusion Dizziness [Treatment of Metabolic Alkalosis] Fix the Cause: Stop vomiting. Adjust medicines. [Compensation Mechanisms] Body Tries to Fix Imbalance Lungs adjust breathing. Kidneys adjust what they excrete. [Mixed Acid-Base Imbalances] Both Respiratory and Metabolic Problems Happens in serious conditions, like cardiac arrest. Practice Problems Practice Problems 1. pH: 7.48 (High, so alkalosis) PCO2: 44 (Normal) HCO3-: 29 (High) 2. pH: 7.32 (Low, so acidosis) PCO2: 48 (High) HCO3-: 25 (Normal) Remember! Acidosis vs. Alkalosis