What is an acidosis?

An acidosis is caused by an accumulation of acid (H +) or a significant loss of bicarbonate (HCO3-).

In normal conditions, the maintenance of a constant pH in the body depends upon our ingestion of acids and the excretory action of the lungs and kidneys.

When the diet is not appropriate, or our kidneys and lungs are not functioning well, the body cannot keep a healthy pH. Excess acids are kept inside us and our fluids tend to become acid.

An important variation of our blood's pH could be lethal. It has to stay between 7.32 and 7.42.
We will see later what our body can do to limit the variation.

---