: A definitive diagnosis requires an arterial blood gas (ABG) test and serum electrolyte analysis. Acidosis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

: Typically caused by direct bicarbonate loss through severe diarrhea or renal issues like renal tubular acidosis .

Acidosis primarily presents as , which can be categorized by the "anion gap"—the difference between measured cations (sodium) and anions (chloride and bicarbonate). Common Causes :

Acidosis is a physiological state where blood pH falls below 7.35, often caused by an excess of hydrogen ions or a deficit in bicarbonate ( HCO3−cap H cap C cap O sub 3 raised to the negative power ), the body’s primary buffer.