Acid base balance

Husam shawaqfeh
Definition
• In medicine, the state of having the right amount of acid
and base in the blood and other body fluids. Keeping a
normal acid-base balance is important for the body to work
the way it should. Also called acid-base equilibrium.
• blood needs the right balance of acidic and basic (alkaline)
compounds to function properly .and it is mesured by level
of pH Blood is usually between 7.35 to 7.45 , An increase in
acidity causes pH levels to fall. An increase in alkaline causes
pH levels to rise.
• When the levels of acid in blood are too high, it’s
called acidosis. When blood is too alkaline, it is called alkalosis.
• Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are due to a problem with the
lungs. Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are due to a problem
with the kidneys.
Anion gap
• The anion gap is the difference between primary measured
cations (sodium Na+ and potassium K+) and the primary
measured anions (chloride Cl- and bicarbonate HCO3-) in
serum.

• (Na+ + K+) – (Cl- + HCO3-) = Anion Gap.

• Normal results are 3 to 10 mEq/L
• The anion gap is useful to measure the acidity of blood
High anion gap metabolic acidosis
Normal anion gap metabolic acidosis
Low anion gap metabolic acidosis
• The most common cause of a low anion gap is a low level of
albumin,. Low albumin may be a sign of not eating enough
protein, kidney problems, liver disease, heart disease, or
some types of cancer.
In general, these are the normal ranges for
electrolytes:
• Sodium: 136 to 144 mmol/L.
• Potassium: 3.7 to 5.1 mmol/L.
• Calcium: In adults, 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL.
• Chloride: 97 to 105 mmol/L.
• Magnesium: 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL.
• Phosphate: 2.5 to 4.8 mg/dL.
• Bicarbonate: 22 to 30 mmol/L.
How to detects changes of electrolytes
• An electrolyte imbalance can occur if the body has too much or
too little water. Electrolytes are minerals in the blood, tissues,
and elsewhere throughout the body. Their name refers to the
fact that they have an electrical charge.

• Electrolytes are minerals that the body needs to: balance water
levels , move nutrients into cells , remove waste products ,
allow nerves to send signals , enable muscles to relax and
contract effectively , maintain brain and heart functioning
Common symptoms of electrolyte
imbalances include:
• headaches
• confusion
• dizziness
• nausea
• delirium
• fatigue
• muscle spasms
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat
• alkalosis
Severe symptoms of electrolyte imbalances
include:
• seizures
• coma
• rhabdomyolysis
• myoglobinuria
• metabolic acidosis
Signs of dehydration in an older adult can
include:
• dryness of the mouth, including the lips and tongue
• sunken eyes
• skin that seems dry and less firm or stretchy
• drowsiness
• confusion or disorientation
• dizziness
• low blood pressure
SODIUM
• Symptoms of high sodium levels (hypernatremia) include:
• Thirst.
• Urinating (peeing) very little.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Confusion.
• Muscle twitching.
• Seizures.
Low sodium of blood
Potassium
Low potassium in blood
Signs of high calcium
Low blood calcium
Hypochloremia
Hyper vs Hypo MAGNESEMIA
hyperphosphatemia
Hypophosphatemia
Medical treatments for electrolyte imbalances
include:
• IV fluids like sodium chloride to rehydrate your body.
• IV medicines to restore a healthy electrolyte balance.
• Medications or supplements to replace lost electrolytes.
• Hemodialysis to correct electrolyte imbalances caused by kidney
failure or severe kidney damage.
Thank you