Difference between Metabolic Acidosis and Respiratory Acidosis

The upcoming discussion will update you about the difference between Metabolic Acidosis and Respirator Acidosis.

Difference # Metabolic Acidosis:

1. Bicarbonate (HCO₃^–) deficit.

2. pH lowered.

3. Respiratory-low pH stimulates respiratory centre causing decrease in [H₂CO₃].

4. Urinary pH-acidic.

5. Abnormal increase in anions due to endogenous production of acid ions, ingestion of acidifying salts, and renal insufficiency.

6. Abnormal loss of HCO₃^–, e.g., in severe diarrhoea.

Difference # Respiratory Acidosis:

1. Carbonic acid excess.

2. pH lowered.

3. The most important renal mechanism causes increase in H⁺-Na⁴ exchange, increased ammonia formation.

4. Urinary pH-acidic.

5. Depression of respiration due to damage to CNS, loss of ventilatory functions, effects of pain like pleurisy.

6. Impairment of diffusion of CO₂ across alveolar membrane, obstruction to escape of CO₂ from alveoli, insufficient pulmonary blood flow.