[Abnormalities in acid-base balance in the elderly].

Physiological decline in the ability to adjust acid-base balance and increase the incidence of diseases with aging, modifies pathophysiological and clinical features of acid-base disturbance in the elderly. Regulation of pH ultimately depends on the kidney and lung, however, the ability of the two organs is decreased with physiological aging. Moreover, the elderly are more prone to suffer from renal insufficiency and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, medication with various drugs, such as diuretics, often affect the acid-base balance in the elderly. This paper describes the characteristics of the abnormalities in acid-base balance in the elderly, including metabolic acidosis and alkalosis, and respiratory acidosis and alkalosis.