Clinical approach to Metabolic Acidosis

In this article the salient points on the approach to metabolic acidosis in adults are discussed.Mixed acid disturbances are not discussed here.So also a detailed elaboration of each aspect with the mechanisms and treatment modalities is beyond the scope of this article.In the body there is a constant production of carbonic acid as well as non-volatile acids, by metabolic processes.These must be eliminated in order to keep the pH of the body fluids in the normal range.CO is 2 produced to the tune of 15,000 mmol/day and the non-volatile acids (predominantly H SO ) to the tune of 50 2 4