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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Acidosis and Acidemia?

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The terms acidosis and acidemia are related but have distinct meanings:

  • Acidosis refers to an increased acidity in the blood and other body tissues, specifically an increased hydrogen ion concentration. It is said to occur when arterial pH falls below 7.35. Acidosis is a process or a trend towards acidemia, but it does not necessarily result in acidemia.
  • Acidemia describes the state of low blood pH, specifically a blood pH of less than 7.35. This is an actual change in blood pH, unlike acidosis, which is a trend or process. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but the distinction may be relevant in cases where a patient has factors causing both acidosis and alkalosis, and the relative severity of both determines whether the result is a high or a low pH.

In summary:

  • Acidosis is a process or trend towards increased acidity in the blood, with pH typically falling below 7.35.
  • Acidemia is a state of low blood pH, specifically a pH of less than 7.35.
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  • What is the Difference Between Acidosis and Acidemia?
  • Comparative Table: Acidosis vs Acidemia

    • Comparative Table: Acidosis vs Acidemia

    Here is a table summarizing the differences between acidosis and acidemia:

    Feature Acidosis Acidemia
    Definition Acidosis refers to the increased acidity in the blood and other body tissues. Acidemia refers to the state of low blood pH.
    pH Range Acidosis is said to occur when arterial pH falls below 7.35. Acidemia is the state of low blood pH, measured as an arterial blood pH of less than 7.35.
    Causes Acidosis can be caused by increased production of metabolic acids, decreased excretion of acids by the kidneys, or increased acid ingestion. Acidemia is the end result of the processes leading to decreased blood pH.
    Types Acidosis can be classified into respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis. Acidemia can be classified into organic acidemia and fetal acidemia.

    The key difference between acidosis and acidemia is that acidosis refers to the processes causing increased acidity in the blood, while acidemia refers to the state of low blood pH.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.