acidosis

Definition acidosis

acidosis: acidosis n. a condition in which the acidity of the body fluids and tissues is abnormally high. This arises because of a failure of the mechanism responsible for maintaining a balance between acids and alkalis in the blood (see acid-base balance). In gaseous acidosis more than the normal amount of carbon dioxide is retained in the body, as in drowining. In renal acidosis, kidney failure results in excessive loss of bicarbonate or retention of phosphoric and sulphuric acids. Patients with diabetes mellius suffer from a form of acidosis in which sodium, potassium and *ketone bodies are lost in the urine.