Symptoms of Lactic Acidosis Condition

When a person's oxygen level drops too low, carbohydrates in the body break down to make energy, creating lactic acid. Lactic acid levels can increase during strenuous exercise, and when certain diseases or disorders reduce blood and oxygen flow. High levels of lactic acid lead to lactic acidosis, a rare but sometimes life-threatening disorder.

Risk Factors

• Some underlying medical conditions are risk factors for lactic acidosis. These conditions include kidney and lung disorders, liver or heart disease, diabetes, cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and certain genetic disorders. Some drugs, such as metformin (Glucophage) taken for type 2 diabetes, and drugs taken for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), also increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Additionally, people experiencing heart failure, sepsis or shock may develop lactic acidosis.

Primary Symptoms

• Although it is important to identify lactic acidosis early, this can be difficult because the symptoms are similar to those of other health disorders. Identifying symptoms may be especially problematic when the person has another chronic disease. Initial symptoms of lactic acidosis include abdominal pain, persistent and worsening nausea and vomiting. The person may feel cold, especially in the arms and legs. He also is likely to feel tired and weak and have muscle pain.

Additional Symptoms

• Other possible symptoms include rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, sweating, clammy skin and sweet-smelling or bad-smelling breath. Low oxygen to the extremities may result in the hands or feet turning blue. The individual may become sleepy, dizzy and light-headed.

Progression

• If left untreated, lactic acidosis symptoms can progress to an enlarged and tender liver, severely-low blood pressure, very slow heart rate, irregular heartbeat, fainting and coma. Untreated lactic acidosis or delayed treatment can be fatal.

Treatment

• Diagnosis of lactic acidosis is determined through blood tests. The main treatment involves identifying and correcting the underlying cause of the condition, which may require changing medications. Doctors may administer medicine to make the blood more alkaline. Dialysis is another possibility.