| Classification of the acid-base disorders
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| The concept of respiratory (CO2) and metabolic (bicarbonate) components of acid-base balance described above, provides a key to the classification of the clinical disorders of acid-base balance (Fig. 23.3). The primary classification of these disorders is into acidosis or alkalosis. Acidosis denotes a process that leads to the accumulation of hydrogen ion in the body. Alkalosis, on the other hand, is a process leading to a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration in the body. (Note again: acidemia and alkalemia are terms which simply describe the blood pH status. Acidosis and alkalosis are pathological processes which result in either alkalemia or acidemia).
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| Depending on the primary cause, acidosis and alkalosis can each be divided into either respiratory or metabolic. Thus there are four main disorders of acid-base balance: respiratory acidosis, metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, and metabolic alkalosis (Fig. 23.4). However, and this complicates things a little, as mixed disorders can also develop; we consider them later in the chapter.
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