What happens if your blood is very acidic? Understanding Acidosis

October 2, 2025 •

3 min read

The body’s blood pH is naturally and tightly regulated, maintained within a narrow, slightly alkaline range of 7.35 to 7.45. An imbalance that causes blood to become very acidic is a serious condition known as acidosis, which can have profound and dangerous consequences for overall health.

Quick Summary

Very acidic blood, medically termed acidosis, can disrupt vital bodily functions, impairing organ performance and leading to complications like shock, coma, or even death if left untreated. The condition often arises from underlying health issues affecting the lungs or kidneys.

Key Points

Acidosis Dangers: Untreated, severely acidic blood can lead to shock, coma, and organ failure, including heart and kidney damage.
Two Main Types: Acidosis can be metabolic (caused by kidneys or metabolism) or respiratory (caused by lung issues and CO2 buildup).
Key Symptoms: Symptoms vary but can include rapid breathing, fatigue, confusion, nausea, and headache.
Diagnosis is Key: Diagnosis typically involves an arterial blood gas (ABG) test and other blood work to measure pH, carbon dioxide, and bicarbonate levels.
Treatment Focus: Treatment targets the underlying cause, which could involve managing diabetes, treating lung disease, or administering intravenous fluids and bicarbonate.
Prevention Measures: Strategies include careful management of chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease, staying hydrated, and a healthy diet.

The Body's Delicate pH Balancing Act

To function correctly, the body must keep its acid-base balance in a precise and narrow window. The lungs and kidneys are the primary organs responsible for maintaining this delicate equilibrium. The respiratory system controls blood acidity by regulating the amount of carbon dioxide (an acid) exhaled. Meanwhile, the kidneys excrete excess acids and conserve bicarbonate (a base), helping to neutralize acidity. This complex interplay of systems ensures that blood pH remains stable, allowing cells and organs to perform optimally. When this balance is overwhelmed, serious health problems arise.

Understanding the Two Types of Acidosis

Acidosis is broadly categorized into two main types, based on the origin of the imbalance.

Metabolic Acidosis

This type is caused by an overproduction of acid in the body or a failure of the kidneys to excrete it properly, or a loss of bicarbonate. Common causes include diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, kidney failure, severe diarrhea, and certain poisonings.

Respiratory Acidosis

This form develops when the lungs cannot remove enough carbon dioxide, causing a buildup. This is often due to impaired breathing from conditions like chronic lung disease, chest wall deformities, neuromuscular disorders, or overuse of sedatives.

Symptoms and Warning Signs

The symptoms of acidosis vary based on severity and cause. Metabolic acidosis often presents with rapid, deep breathing, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and confusion. Respiratory acidosis symptoms can include headache, confusion, sleepiness, shortness of breath, anxiety, and tremors.

Severe Complications of Acidic Blood

Untreated, very acidic blood can become a life-threatening emergency, affecting the brain and heart. Complications include shock, coma, death, and damage to organs like the heart and kidneys. Chronic acidosis can also lead to bone and muscle disease and delayed growth in children.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis involves tests like an arterial blood gas (ABG) to measure blood pH, carbon dioxide, and bicarbonate. A basic metabolic panel and tests for ketones and lactic acid may also be used. Treatment focuses on the underlying cause, such as insulin for diabetic ketoacidosis or breathing support for respiratory acidosis. Intravenous sodium bicarbonate may be used in severe cases.

Comparison Table: Metabolic vs. Respiratory Acidosis


Feature	Metabolic Acidosis	Respiratory Acidosis
Primary Cause	Buildup of acid from metabolic processes or loss of base	Buildup of carbon dioxide due to breathing problems
Key Organ System	Kidneys and metabolic functions	Lungs and respiratory function
Characteristic Lab Findings	Low blood pH, low bicarbonate (HCO3−), potential changes in anion gap	Low blood pH, high carbon dioxide (PaCO2)
Compensatory Response	Increased breathing rate (hyperventilation)	Kidneys excrete more acid and retain more bicarbonate
Typical Symptoms	Rapid, deep breathing; nausea, fatigue, confusion	Shallow, slow breathing; headache, confusion, sleepiness
Treatment Focus	Correcting the metabolic issue (e.g., insulin, fluids, treating kidney disease)	Improving ventilation (e.g., breathing support, treating lung disease)

Preventing Acidosis

Managing chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease is vital. Staying hydrated, avoiding excessive alcohol, and eating a healthy diet can also help reduce risk.

Conclusion

Very acidic blood is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention. It arises when the body's pH balance is overwhelmed by underlying issues. Recognizing symptoms and seeking emergency care is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications. For more detailed health information, consult authoritative sources like the Merck Manuals.(https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/acid-base-balance/acidosis)

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.

Frequently Asked Questions

The pH of human blood is very tightly controlled within a narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45. A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, while a pH above 7.45 is called alkalosis.

While diet doesn't directly cause a severe acid-base imbalance in healthy individuals, consuming excessive animal proteins and processed foods can increase acid production. In those with underlying conditions like kidney disease, this can exacerbate existing metabolic acidosis.

The lungs control acidity by exhaling carbon dioxide, which is an acidic compound when dissolved in blood. The kidneys regulate pH by excreting excess acids in the urine and reabsorbing bicarbonate, a base, to neutralize the blood.

Metabolic acidosis results from problems with the kidneys or the body's metabolism, such as diabetic ketoacidosis or kidney failure. Respiratory acidosis is caused by impaired lung function, leading to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Yes, even mild, ongoing (chronic) acidosis can have significant long-term effects. It can worsen kidney disease, cause bone mineral loss (osteoporosis), and lead to muscle wasting over time.

In severe acidosis, the body's compensation mechanisms are overwhelmed. This can cause critically low blood pressure, lead to shock, and eventually result in coma or death if not promptly and aggressively treated.

Emergency treatment for severe acidosis focuses on correcting the underlying cause. In many cases, intravenous (IV) fluids and sometimes sodium bicarbonate (a base) are given to help neutralize the acid in the blood.