Condition Lookup
Category:
Acid-Base Disorders
Number of Conditions: 4
Metabolic Acidosis
Specialty: Nephrology
Category: Acid-Base Disorders
Symptoms:
rapid breathing (kussmaul respirations); fatigue; confusion; headache; nausea; vomiting; low blood pressure in severe cases
Root Cause:
Accumulation of acid or loss of bicarbonate in the body due to kidney dysfunction, increased acid production, or bicarbonate loss.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood gas analysis (low pH, low bicarbonate), anion gap calculation, and electrolyte tests.
Treatment:
Address the underlying cause (e.g., correcting lactic acidosis or ketoacidosis), bicarbonate therapy in severe cases, and supportive care.
Medications:
Sodium bicarbonate (buffer agent), dichloroacetate (used experimentally in certain types of metabolic acidosis).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in hospitalized patients, particularly those in critical care settings.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic kidney disease, diabetes (ketoacidosis), sepsis, and diarrhea.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Dependent on the underlying cause; prompt treatment generally leads to a favorable outcome.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cardiac arrhythmias, shock, and multiorgan failure if untreated.
Metabolic Alkalosis
Specialty: Nephrology
Category: Acid-Base Disorders
Symptoms:
muscle cramps; weakness; tetany; paresthesias; confusion; irritability; arrhythmias
Root Cause:
Excessive bicarbonate or loss of acid due to vomiting, diuretics, or endocrine disorders.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood gas analysis (elevated pH, elevated bicarbonate), and assessment of chloride and potassium levels.
Treatment:
Address underlying cause, chloride or potassium supplementation, and intravenous saline in saline-responsive cases.
Medications:
Potassium chloride (electrolyte supplement), acetazolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in hospitalized patients, especially those on diuretics.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic diuretic use, vomiting, and adrenal gland disorders.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with proper treatment; prolonged cases may cause complications.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cardiac arrhythmias, hypokalemia, and seizures.
Respiratory Acidosis (secondary to renal issues)
Specialty: Nephrology
Category: Acid-Base Disorders
Symptoms:
confusion; fatigue; shortness of breath; headache; cyanosis; drowsiness; tremors
Root Cause:
Impaired CO2 elimination by the lungs, with kidneys unable to adequately compensate by increasing bicarbonate reabsorption.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood gas analysis (low pH, elevated pCO2), kidney function tests, and imaging of the lungs.
Treatment:
Improve ventilation (mechanical ventilation if needed), treat underlying renal dysfunction, and correct any electrolyte imbalances.
Medications:
Bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol for reversible airway obstruction), bicarbonate therapy (in severe cases).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
More common in patients with chronic lung disease and renal dysfunction.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), renal failure, and neuromuscular disorders.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Dependent on the reversibility of the underlying causes; timely intervention improves outcomes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Coma, cardiac arrhythmias, and respiratory failure.
Respiratory Alkalosis (secondary to renal issues)
Specialty: Nephrology
Category: Acid-Base Disorders
Symptoms:
dizziness; lightheadedness; paresthesias; tetany; confusion; chest pain
Root Cause:
Excessive CO2 elimination (hyperventilation), with the kidneys unable to adequately reduce bicarbonate levels.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood gas analysis (elevated pH, low pCO2), and kidney function evaluation.
Treatment:
Treat underlying cause (e.g., anxiety, hypoxemia), slow breathing rate, and correct electrolyte imbalances.
Medications:
Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam for anxiety-induced hyperventilation), no direct renal medications.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; seen in critically ill patients or with severe anxiety disorders.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Anxiety, pulmonary disease, sepsis, and renal dysfunction.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with proper management of the underlying cause.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hypocalcemia, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures in severe cases.