acidemia
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A pathological condition in which the acidity of the blood is abnormally high, meaning the blood pH is below the normal range (typically below 7.35). It is characterized by an increased concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in the blood.
Usage
The term "acidemia" is used in medical contexts to describe the state of the blood itself. It is a key diagnostic finding, often resulting from an underlying metabolic or respiratory disorder that causes acid to accumulate or base to be lost from the body. - It is crucial to distinguish between acidemia (the state of low blood pH) and acidosis (the pathological process that leads to acidemia). Acidosis can exist without causing acidemia if the body's compensatory mechanisms are effective.
Examples
- The laboratory results confirmed severe acidemia, with an arterial blood pH of 7.1.
- Neonatal screening identified a case of methylmalonic acidemia, an inborn error of metabolism.
- The patient's diabetic ketoacidosis led to a life-threatening acidemia.
Advanced Usage
- Qualifiers: The term is often preceded by a qualifier specifying the cause or type, such as , , or .
- Diagnostic Context: In clinical reports, it is commonly used in phrases like "The patient presented with metabolic acidemia" or "Blood gas analysis revealed acidemia."
Variants and Related Words
- Acidosis (n): The disease process that tends to cause acidemia; an abnormal process increasing blood acidity.
- Acidotic (adj): Relating to or affected by acidemia or acidosis. (e.g., )
- -emia suffix: A suffix meaning "condition of the blood," as seen in (low blood oxygen) or (high blood sugar).
Synonyms
- Hyperacidity of the blood (a descriptive synonym, less common in technical use)
- Low blood pH (a descriptive, non-technical term)
Antonyms
- Alkalemia (n): A condition in which the blood pH is abnormally high (above 7.45).
Noun
- a blood disorder characterized by an increased concentration of hydrogen ions in the blood (which falls below 7 on the pH scale)