MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Metabolic acidosis

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Metabolic acidosis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Causes Symptoms Exams and Tests	Treatment Outlook (Prognosis) Possible Complications When to Contact a Medical Professional Prevention References

Illustrations

Insulin production and diabetes

Alternative Names Return to top

Acidosis - metabolic

Definition Return to top

Metabolic acidosis is a disturbance in the body's acid-base balance that results in excessive acidity of the blood.

Causes Return to top

Metabolic acidosis can occur as a result of many different conditions such as kidney failure, diabetic ketoacidosis, and shock.

Swallowing toxic substances such as antifreeze or excessive amounts of aspirin can also lead to metabolic acidosis.

Severe metabolic acidosis may lead to shock or death. In some situations, metabolic acidosis can be a mild, chronic condition.

Symptoms Return to top

Most symptoms are caused by the disease or condition that is causing the metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis itself usually causes rapid breathing. Confusion or lethargy may also occur.

Exams and Tests Return to top

Blood tests to diagnose metabolic acidosis may include:

An arterial blood gas to assess the severity of the metabolic acidosis
A metabolic panel to reveal the cause and severity of the metabolic acidosis
A complete blood count (CBC) to assess possible causes of metabolic acidosis

Treatment Return to top

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

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

The prognosis of metabolic acidosis depends on the underlying disease.

Possible Complications Return to top

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

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

Seek medical treatment if symptoms of any disease that causes metabolic acidosis appear.

Prevention Return to top

Keeping type 1 diabetes under control may help prevent many cases of metabolic acidosis.

References Return to top

Judge BS. Metabolic acidosis: differentiating the causes in the poisoned patient. Med Clin North Am. 2005; 89(6):1107-1124.

Kraut JA. Metabolic acidosis of CKD: diagnosis, clinical characteristics, and treatment. Am J Kidney Dis. 2005; 45(6): 978-993.

Update Date: 10/24/2007

Updated by: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, and physician in the Primary Care Clinic, Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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