Blood Loss. Blood loss is the most common cause of anemia, especially iron-deficiency anemia. Blood loss can be short term or persist over time. Heavy menstrual periods or bleeding in the digestive or urinary tract can cause blood loss. Surgery, trauma, or cancer also can cause blood loss.
second most common cause of acid-base imbalance. recognized by low blood pH and HCO3- levels. indicated by rising blood pH and HCO3- levels, is much less common than metabolic acidosis. typical causes are vomiting of the acidic contents of the stomach and intake of excess base.
acid-base balance, a condition existing when the net rate at which the body produces acids or bases equals the net rate at which acids or bases are excreted. The result of acid-base balance is a stable concentration of hydrogen ions in body fluids.See also acid, base. state of equilibrium between acidity and alkalinity of the body fluids. An acid is a substance capable of giving up a hydrogen ion during a chemical exchange, and a base is a substance that can accept it.