Difference Between Acidosis and Alkalosis

Main Difference – Acidosis vs Alkalosis

The terms acidosis and alkalosis describe the abnormal condition of blood having either a higher or a lower pH than the required value. These conditions may occur due to several reasons, but most often this is caused by a disease. Acidosis indicates a lower pH than the normal pH of the blood. Alkalosis is the opposite of acidosis. It indicates a higher pH in the blood than the normal pH. The main difference between acidosis and alkalosis is that acidosis is the condition of having a lower pH than 7.35 in the blood whereas alkalosis is the condition of having a higher pH than 7.45 in blood.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Acidosis
      – Definition, Disease Symptoms, Causes
2. What is Alkalosis
      – Definition, Disease Symptoms, Causes
3. What is the Difference Between Acidosis and Alkalosis
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Acidosis, Alkalosis, Metabolic Acidosis, Metabolic Alkalosis, Respiratory Acidosis, Respiratory Alkalosis

What is Acidosis       

Acidosis is the condition of having a lower pH than the usual value in blood. If a person’s blood has a pH value lower than 7.35, that person has academia, the disease caused by acidosis. Acidosis indicates a lower pH and an increased acidic nature in blood.

In mammals, the normal blood pH range is given as 7.35 – 7.50. The build-up of acids in the blood causes the blood pH to be shifted into a lower level. The addition of acids into the bloodstream may occur in two major ways: from the digestive system and from the respiratory system.

Figure 1: Symptoms of Acidosis

Acidosis that occurs due to the influences from digestive system is called metabolic acidosis. This is a result of consumption of highly acidic food and beverages. Excessive production of acids or reduced filtration of acids through kidneys results in acidosis.

Acidosis that occurs due to the influences from respiratory system is called respiratory acidosis. The malfunctioning of the respiratory system causes respiratory acidosis. If breathing is very slow, our body doesn’t get enough carbon dioxide. Then there isn’t enough carbon dioxide to increase the pH of the blood. Therefore, the blood pH is decreased.

What is Alkalosis

Alkalosis is the condition of having a higher pH than the normal pH of the blood. If the pH of the blood is higher than 7.45, it is identified as alkalemia, the disease caused by alkalosis. The major component in our blood is bicarbonate. It helps to regulate the blood pH in the defined range. But the presence of excessive bicarbonates causes alkalosis. There is an equilibrium between carbonic acid and bicarbonates in blood. When this equilibrium is disturbed, it can lead to alkalosis.

Alkalosis is also found in two types as metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis. Problems in the digestive system lead to metabolic alkalosis. The acids in the stomach are removed often due to repeated vomiting, resulting in a considerable loss of acids enter the bloodstream. Then, there aren’t enough acids to neutralize the basic components present in the blood, causing the pH of the blood to be increased.

Figure 2: Symptoms of Alkalosis and Acidosis

Respiratory alkalosis is caused by hyperventilation, which results in loss of carbon dioxide. Hyperventilation can occur due to heavy breathing. Loss of carbon dioxide decreases the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood. Then carbonic acid in the blood starts to dissociate and produce hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions. These bicarbonate ions cause the blood pH to be increased.

Difference Between Acidosis and Alkalosis

Definition

Acidosis: Acidosis is the condition of having a lower pH than the normal pH of the blood.

Alkalosis: Alkalosis is the condition of having a higher pH than the normal pH of the blood.

Disease

Acidosis: The disease caused by acidosis is called academia.

Alkalosis: The disease caused by alkalosis is called alkalemia.

pH Value

Acidosis: If the pH of blood is below 7.35, it is recognized as acidosis.

Alkalosis: If the pH of blood is above 7.45, it is recognized as alkalosis.

Major Types

Acidosis: The major types of acidosis are metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis.

Alkalosis: The major types of alkalosis are metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis.

Conclusion

Acidosis and alkalosis are two processes that cause diseases in our body due to changes in blood pH. Acidosis indicates a lower blood pH and alkalosis indicates a high blood pH. The key difference between acidosis and alkalosis is that acidosis is the condition of having a lower pH than 7.35 in the blood whereas alkalosis is the condition of having a higher pH than 7.45 in blood.

References:

1. “Alkalosis.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Sept. 2017, Available here. Accessed 25 Sept. 2017.
2. “Alkalosis – Hormonal and Metabolic Disorders.” MSD Manual Consumer Version, Available here. Accessed 25 Sept. 2017.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Symptoms of acidosis” ByHäggström, Mikael (2014). “Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.008. ISSN 2002-4436.  (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “2716 Symptoms of Acidosis Alkalosis” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. Available here, Jun 19, 2013. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia