Metabolic acidosis in the elderly

Metabolic acidosis (acid replacement) is the most common type of clinical disease in the elderly. It is caused by an increase in nonvolatile acids in the body or a decrease in alkali in the extracellular fluid. Its main characteristics are reduced HC03-concentration in plasma and PaCO2 compensation The main compensatory mechanism for decline is the retention of bicarbonate by the kidneys and respiratory excretion.

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