drop in blood pH following metabolic changes, not related to breathing pathologies.

Increase in acid or primary loss of bicarbonate from the extracellular fluid. Reflected by a low pH and low HCO3-, less than 22 mEq/L.

Development of blood pH level below 7.4; resulting from addition of fixed (metabolic) acid, or loss of bicarbonate. Examples: diabetes mellitus or renal tubular failure resulting in abnormal bicarbonate excretion.

In medicine, metabolic acidosis is a state in which the blood p H is low (under 7.35) due to increased production of H+ by the body or the inability of the body to form bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the kidney. Its causes are diverse, and its consequences can be serious, including coma and death. Together with respiratory acidosis, it is one of the two general types of acidosis.