Metabolic acidosis (patient information)

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Metabolic acidosis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Metabolic acidosis?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

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Editors-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [1]

Overview

Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids.

What are the symptoms of Metabolic acidosis?

Most symptoms are caused by the underlying disease or condition that is causing the metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis itself usually causes rapid breathing. Confusion or lethargy may also occur. Severe metabolic acidosis can lead to shock or death. In some situations, metabolic acidosis can be a mild, chronic (ongoing) condition.

What causes Metabolic acidosis?

Metabolic acidosis occurs when the body produces too much acid, or when the kidneys are not removing enough acid from the body. There are several types of metablic acidosis:

Other causes of metabolic acidosis include:

Who is at highest risk?

Patient suffering from any of the conditions mentioned above are at risk of metabolic acidosis.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Seek medical treatment if you develop symptoms of any disease that can cause metabolic acidosis.

Diagnosis

Arterial blood gas analysis or a serum electrolytes test (such as a basic metabolic panel) will confirm acidosis is present and determine whether it is respiratory acidosis or metabolic acidosis.

Other tests may be needed to determine the cause of the acidosis.

Treatment options

Treatment is aimed at the underlying condition. In certain circumstances, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) may be given to improve the acidity of the blood.

Where to find medical care for Metabolic acidosis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Metabolic acidosis

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

What can be expected will depend on the underlying disease causing the metabolic acidosis.

Possible complications

When very severe, metabolic acidosis can lead to shock or death.

Prevention

Keeping type 1 diabetes under control may help prevent diabetic ketoacidosis, one type of metabolic acidosis.

Source

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000335.htm


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