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Risk Factors for Metabolic Acidosis

Metabolic acidosis occurs when the acid-balance of your plasma (a blood component) is disturbed by an underlying condition. Strategies to manage the condition will include identification of the illness that is causing the imbalance as well as a continuing care plan. Symptoms include clammy, pale skin, dizziness, confusion, mood swings, slowing heart rate and hyperventilation. Metabolic acidosis is a crisis that can lead to coma and death. Understanding the risk factors may save your life or the life of someone you love.

  1. Toxicity

    • The swallowing of toxic or dosage-specific substances can result in metabolic acidosis. Ingestion of antifreeze (propylene glycol), methanol or excessive quantities of aspirin will cause this imbalance in your blood stream. The effects can be fatal. Other symptoms to consider in toxicity include convulsions, headache, slurred speech and unsteady gait. Drinking antifreeze, or dipping marijuana in o it, is a modern day trend that many young people think will lead to the ultimate high. Instead, it shuts down the kidneys, leads to acidosis and acute organ failure.

    Diabetes

    • Diabetic acidosis occurs when ketone bodies build up in the system as the result of uncontrolled diabetes. As the body becomes unable to process sugar (glucose), ketones penetrate the blood stream. The rise of ketones leads to an acid state in the body and eventually metabolic acidosis. Managing diabetes is a key component in avoiding this condition. Diabetics must regularly evaluate their blood for sugar content and modify their diet or medication plan. The discipline and difficulty involved in managing diabetes make this problem one of the main risk factors for developing metabolic acidosis.

    Other Diseases

    • Diabetes is not the only illness that serves as a risk factor for metabolic acidosis. Kidney disease leads to distal tubular acidosis and proximal renal tubular acidosis. Medication provided for AIDS patients can result in metabolic acidosis. The improvements in treatment protocols for AIDS have reduced incidents in these patients. Severe dehydration (hyperchloremic acidosis) bought on by illness or excessive heat can force the bloodstream into a state of acid imbalance. Lactic acidosis (build up of lactic acid) is common in alcoholics, cancer patients and victims of serious, prolonged lack of oxygen.

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