Respiratory disorders can really change the balance of acids and bases in our bodies. Here’s how they do it:
Hypoventilation: This means not breathing enough, which makes CO2 levels go up. When CO2 increases, it can lead to something called respiratory acidosis. For example, if the CO2 level goes up by 10 mmHg, the pH (which measures acidity) can drop by 0.08 units.
Hyperventilation: This happens when someone breathes too much, which lowers CO2 levels. When CO2 goes down, it can cause respiratory alkalosis. If the CO2 level drops by 10 mmHg, the pH can rise by 0.08 units.
Chronic Conditions: Some long-term health problems, like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), can cause ongoing respiratory acidosis. This affects the body’s acid-base balance over time and how it tries to fix itself.
Statistics: Around half of the patients with severe COPD show signs of respiratory acidosis. This shows just how much these disorders can impact acid-base levels in the body.
Respiratory disorders can really change the balance of acids and bases in our bodies. Here’s how they do it:
Hypoventilation: This means not breathing enough, which makes CO2 levels go up. When CO2 increases, it can lead to something called respiratory acidosis. For example, if the CO2 level goes up by 10 mmHg, the pH (which measures acidity) can drop by 0.08 units.
Hyperventilation: This happens when someone breathes too much, which lowers CO2 levels. When CO2 goes down, it can cause respiratory alkalosis. If the CO2 level drops by 10 mmHg, the pH can rise by 0.08 units.
Chronic Conditions: Some long-term health problems, like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), can cause ongoing respiratory acidosis. This affects the body’s acid-base balance over time and how it tries to fix itself.
Statistics: Around half of the patients with severe COPD show signs of respiratory acidosis. This shows just how much these disorders can impact acid-base levels in the body.