Abnormalities of acid base regulation:

1. Acidosis (fall in pH)
2. Respiratory acidosis: Primary excess of carbonic acid.

• It can occur due to decreased ventilation resulting in less carbon dioxide excretion and increase in carbonic acid.

Cause:

1. Due to defect in respiratory control mechanism (stroke, trauma).
2. Due to defect in respiratory function (chronic bronchitis).
3. Metabolic acidosis: primary defect in bicarbonate.

Cause:

1. Due to excess hydrogen ion production (anemia, hypoxia)
2. During diabetic ketoacidosis
3. During starvation.

2. Alkalosis (rise in pH)

a. Respiratory alkalosis: primary defect in carbonic acid.

Cause:

1. During meningitis
2. Severe asthama
3. Pyrexia

b. Metabolic alkalosis: primary excess of biacarbonate.

Cause:

1. Excessive hydrogen ion loss (vomiting)
2. Excessive reabsorption of bicarbonate ion
3. Ingestion of alkalies.