What is metabolic acidosis?

Metabolic acidosis occurs when your body has too much acid in it. Your kidneys are responsible for maintaining the right balance of acids in your body. Your body can become overloaded with excess acid for two primary reasons:

Your kidneys are not balancing or removing enough acid, or
Your body is producing too much acid.

Metabolic acidosis is commonly seen in patients with kidney disease because it stems from a loss of the kidneys' ability to filter blood sufficiently. It can also be found in people afflicted with diabetes or with a failure of the kidneys at one time.

Doctors diagnose metabolic acidosis with blood and urine tests

Who might have metabolic acidosis?

Metabolic acidosis can occur in anyone. It is though more common among persons who have renal failure (renal failure refers to the failure of the kidneys) or who have a chronic (long-term) type of kidney disease.

What are the signs and symptoms of metabolic acidosis?

If you have metabolic acidosis, you may not have signs or symptoms.

Common signs and symptoms of metabolic acidosis include:

Tachycardia. That is an accelerated heartbeat.
Confusion or dizziness.
Feeling very weak or exhausted (fatigue).
Loss of appetite.
Headache.
Labored breathing or long, deep breathing.
Nausea and vomiting.
Feeling weak.
Smelly breath that smells sweet or fruity.
Severe metabolic acidosis can cause death.

What causes metabolic acidosis?

The four most common causes of metabolic acidosis include:

Diabetic acidosis: Diabetic acidosis occurs when ketone bodies accumulate in your body as a result of untreated diabetes. Your body produces ketone bodies as it metabolizes fats for energy. Your body utilizes ketone bodies as its source of energy if sugars (glucose) are not available.
Hyperchloremic acidosis: Hyperchloremic acidosis results when your body loses too much sodium bicarbonate. It may occur if you take too many laxatives or have severe diarrhea.
Lactic acidosis: Lactic acidosis is the accumulation of excessive lactic acid in your body. Lactic acid is the organic acid that your muscle cells and red blood cells make for energy when your body does not have enough oxygen. Causes include liver failure, low blood sugar, alcohol use disorder, cancer and intense exercise.
Renal tubular acidosis: Renal tubular acidosis is a condition in which your kidneys do not excrete enough acids into your urine. Your blood, therefore, becomes acidic.

What is the most common cause of metabolic acidosis?

The two common causes of metabolic acidosis are uncontrolled diarrhea and kidney failure.

Is metabolic acidosis contagious?

Metabolic acidosis is not infectious. You cannot pass metabolic acidosis to another person.

How is metabolic acidosis diagnosed?

Your doctor will make some questions about the symptoms you have. They will perform a physical exam, perhaps, in order to order tests that will confirm the diagnosis. You may be referred to a nephrologist. Nephrologist is a physician who focuses on kidney-related diseases.

What tests would you endure in order to have metabolic acidosis diagnosed?

Your doctor may run additional tests depending on what they feel may be causing your metabolic acidosis. Some of the tests may be:

Blood tests: Blood tests give you vital information regarding chemicals in your blood. Blood tests for metabolic acidosis may include the following:
Anion gap: A healthcare provider will draw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm by using a thin needle. Your provider calculates the difference between your blood's positively charged electrolytes and your blood's negatively charged electrolytes. A high anion gap would suggest metabolic acidosis as a result of a large difference between positive and negative electrolytes found in your blood.
Arterial blood gas (ABG): Your doctor will inject a thin needle into an artery in your wrist, arm or groin to extract a very small amount of blood. They will measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. They will also measure the pH balance of your blood. A pH level lower than 7.35 indicates that you have too much acid or too little base in your blood.
Urine tests: During a urine test, you pee into a special cup. Your physician will analyze your pee to determine the pH of your pee. There may be too much acid in your pee or not enough base in your pee.

How is metabolic acidosis treated?

After your physician determines what is causing your metabolic acidosis, they can create a treatment plan for you. A few treatments are as follows:

Sodium citrate if you have kidney disease or kidney failure.
IV fluids-flowing through a vein in your arm.
IV sodium bicarbonate, if you have acid systemic blood condition.
Insulin if your acidosis is related to diabetes.
Removal of toxins from your blood such as aspirin, methanol or ethylene glycol-a substance found in antifreeze.
Metabolic acidosis.

What drugs are prescribed for it?

Finally, you can obtain sodium citrate or sodium bicarbonate over the counter to encourage acid balance in your body. Talk to your physician regarding the possibility of using OTC medications for metabolic acidosis.

Your doctor may also administer inotropes. Inotropes make your heart beat harder, which causes more oxygen to enter in the bloodstream and reduces the amount of acids that are found in your blood. Your doctor can administer inotropes directly into your body by an IV inserted into one of your veins in your arm.

How can I lower my risk for metabolic acidosis?

You cannot prevent metabolic acidosis. But you can help to reduce your risk if:

Drinking plenty of water and other fluids.
Managing your blood sugar if you have diabetes.

Reducing the amount of alcohol you consume. A moderate amount of alcohol use by men and AMAB is two drinks or fewer per day. For women and AFAB, moderate alcohol use means one drink or fewer per day.

What are possible complications of metabolic acidosis?

Depending on the severity of your condition, and what is causing it, your prognosis with metabolic acidosis can vary.

In most instances of metabolic acidosis, proper diagnosis is needed for effective treatment.

Mild forms may only cause temporary symptoms and may not require treatment.

Severe cases include failure in the kidneys or other organs that can lead to death.

How do I care for myself?

Your healthcare provider will work together with you to develop a treatment plan that can encompass the use of medication or change in lifestyle. Your treatment plan may include:

Your healthcare provider will regularly monitor your blood sugar.
You may take medicines when necessary as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
You will need to eat low-acid, high-alkali foods.
You will be urged to avoid drinking too much alcohol.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of metabolic acidosis or if you have symptoms of an illness that can cause metabolic acidosis.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Metabolic Acidosis treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital has the most trusted team of Nephrologists with advanced diagnostic equipment care for Metabolic Acidosis treatment in Lucknow, India. Our Nephrology department follows international safety standards and has years of experience in successfully managing disease and conditions like Metabolic Acidosis.