Magnesium Deficiency Aggravates Hypokalemia

NEPHROLOGY

“Magnesium deficiency is frequently associated with hypokalemia. Concomitant magnesium deficiency aggravates hypokalemia and renders it refractory to treatment by potassium. Herein is reviewed literature suggesting that magnesium deficiency exacerbates potassium...

Salicylate toxicity leads to metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis

ACID-BASE DISTURBANCES

Salicylates are a group of chemicals derived from salicylic acid. E.g. aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), salicylic acid, bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), Mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid), etc. Salicylate overdose causes a high anion gap metabolic acidosis in both...

Anaerobic Respiration to Make Lactic Acid

ACID-BASE DISTURBANCES

The following image from KhanAcademy.com shows the process of anaerobic respiration to make lactic acid in the muscles. When a person is exercising hard, the muscles do not have enough oxygen to continue the aerobic respiration pathway. This low oxygen causes the...

Lactic Acidosis – Types, Causes, and Differential Diagnosis

ACID-BASE DISTURBANCES

Definition: Lactic acidosis is defined as a plasma lactate concentration of 4 mmol/L or higher. Lactate levels > 2 mmol/L defines hyperlactatemia Cause: Impaired tissue oxygenation → increased anaerobic metabolism → lactate. Lactic acid levels rise b/c of...

Non-Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis, Causes and Differential Diagnosis (USED CARP and HARD UP)

ACID-BASE DISTURBANCES, DDx

Causes of Normal Anion Gap (Hyperchloremic) Metabolic Acidosis Non-anion gap metabolic acidosis is by definition hyperchloremic. Bicarb is lost from the system directly without taking up the hydrogen from a conjugate acid and leaving behind a conjugate base to...

My Approach to Diagnosing Acid Base Disturbances

ACID-BASE DISTURBANCES

7 Steps to diagnosing acid-base disturbances Is this acidemia or alkalemia? – Look at the pH. Is the primary disorder metabolic or respiratory? Is the degree of compensation appropriate? “A substantially reduced or excessive level of compensation is...