Question

Michael was 35 when he was diagnosed with asthma. He was tested for allergies and responded positively to almost everything. He also had a history of asthma related to stress, exercise and inhalation of cigarette smoke.

An asthma attack would eventually lead to which acid/base disorder?

Answer 1

As Michael is having history of chronic astma he will have a respiratory acidosis. At the acute phase of asthma attack it will cause hyperventilation and lead to hypocapnia where the lungs remove all the co2 present in it. This will lead to an respiratory alkalosis.

As in the Question it is asked eventually where it will lead so eventually in case of astmna the lungs loose it ability to excrete co2 and cause hypercapnia . Which will increase the acidic nature of blood . Along with this due to less supply of oxygen to body it will cause the activation of the anerobic respiration in the mitochondria for energy production . It will cause accumulation of by product like lactic acid and will again increse acidic nature of blood

All these will result in a decrease in blood pH and respiratory acidosis occur.