Humans generally consume a diet that generates metabolic acids leading to a reduction in the concentration of systemic bicarbonate and a fall in pH. In vitro experiments indicate that this metabolic acidosis causes a release of calcium from bone that initially is simply due to physicochemical dissolution of the mineral. On a more chronic basis metabolic acidosis alters bone cell function; there...

Rafael Alexander Leiva Infectious Diseases Section Department of Medicine Haukeland University Hospital A man in his 70s with complicated diabetes, cardiac disease and longterm antibiotic treatment owing to a toe infection was admitted to hospital with a severe acid-base imbalance. He developed a life-threatening condition that required intensive care treatment. An assessment to determine the c...