When carbon dioxide is dissolved in blood, it forms carbonic acid, bicarbonate ions, and carbon dioxide. All three exist in equilibrium. As levels of carbon dioxide increase, the equilibrium of the carbonate buffer shifts making more carbonic acid. Hydrogen ions increase thus shifting the equilibrium left, and therefore bicarbonate accepts hydrogen ions and increases carbonic acid. This creates a homeostasis imbalance within the body. There are several causes as to why respiratory acidosis happens. Causes of respiratory acidosis can be from diseases. Diseases pertaining to the airways such as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease, disease to the chest such as scoliosis, or disease affecting the nerves and muscles that causes the lungs to inflate or deflate. A cause of respiratory acidosis can be from drugs. Drugs like narcotics and benzodiazepines that suppress breathing when combined with alcohol. A cause of respiratory acidosis is from obstructive sleep apnea. Another cause can be from obesity. Specifically sever obesity can restrict how the lungs expand. To know if someone has respiratory acidosis, pay attention to the signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms may include confusion, easy fatigue, lethargy, shortness of breath, …show more content…
There are several causes as to why metabolic acidosis occurs. One cause of metabolic acidosis is with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes. Diabetic acidosis, a type of metabolic acidosis, is when acidic substances, ketones, build up within the body. This occurs because type 1 diabetes is not under control. Another cause is severe diarrhea. Hyperchloremic acidosis, another type of metabolic acidosis, results from an excessive loss of sodium bicarbonate from the body. This can occur with severe diarrhea. Lactic acidosis, a type of metabolic acidosis, is the buildup of lactic acid. It is caused by alcohol, cancer, exercising intensely, liver failure, medications such as salicylates, and lack of oxygen from shock, heart failure or severe anemia, or seizures. Other causes of metabolic acidosis include kidney diseases such as distal renal tubular acidosis and proximal renal tubular acidosis, poisoning of aspirin, ethylene glycol found in antifreeze or methanol, or severe dehydration. The following signs and symptoms are as followed. Signs and symptoms include rapid breathing, confusion or lethargy, shock, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. As acidosis worsens, other symptoms and signs can include weakness,