Alkalosis raises blood pH above 7.45 while acidosis lowers it below 7.35. Respiratory and metabolic alkalosis and acidosis have different causes and symptoms, and can be serious if left untreated.
The main difference between alkalosis and acidosis is that alkalosis places the blood pH above normal whereas acidosis places the blood pH below normal. Levels of bicarbonate (HCO3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) also vary, being influenced by whether the acidosis or alkalosis is respiratory or metabolic in nature. Metabolic alkalosis and acidosis link to diseases or conditions that impact CO2, while respiratory alkalosis and acidosis link to diseases or conditions that affect CO2.
When people talk about pH or the potential of hydrogen, they are talking about how acidic or alkaline a substance is. Blood normally has a very narrow pH range, ranging from 7.35 to 7.45. This is just above neutral, or a pH of 7. This range is optimal for metabolic processes and proper oxygen supply, so anything outside the normal range can cause damage to your health. Alkalosis means that a person’s blood pH has exceeded the upper limit of 7.45, while acidosis means that a person’s blood pH has dropped below the lower limit of 7.35.
Blood pH is closely related to the lungs and kidneys, because these organs are responsible for the disposal of CO2 and HCO3 or acid, respectively. The pH level with respiratory acidosis is low, but the CO2 and HCO3 levels are high. Respiratory alkalosis gives the exact opposite results, having a high pH with low C02 and HCO3. When acidosis is metabolic, pH, CO2, and HCO3 are low, but when alkalosis is metabolic, pH, CO2, and HCO3 are all high.
Looking only at respiratory alkalosis and acidosis, the causes are not the same. Respiratory alkalosis can result from problems such as hyperventilation, fever, exercise, liver failure, or central nervous system problems. Respiratory acidosis can also result from central nervous system problems, but it also occurs from trauma, blockages, or diseases that inhibit breathing.
Moving on to the causes of metabolic alkalosis and acidosis, metabolic alkalosis occurs through the ingestion of too much HCO3, diarrhea or vomiting, and dehydration. Metabolic acidosis can occur with kidney failure, loss of CO3 through diarrhea, diabetic or alcoholic ketoacidosis, and overdose of toxins such as too much aspirin.
Comparing these two conditions under the lens of symptoms, acidosis can be asymptomatic or cause problems such as fatigue, nausea, headaches, and coma. Symptoms of alkalosis include cramping and weakness. Both conditions can be serious and therefore warrant treatment, although mild cases are easy enough to correct.
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