Lactic acidosis

Lactic Acidosis

Lactic acidosis (/lækˈtɪk æsɪˈdoʊsɪs/) is a medical condition characterized by the buildup of lactate (especially L-lactate) in the body, which results in an excessively low pH in the bloodstream. It is a form of metabolic acidosis, due to the inability of the lactate dehydrogenase enzyme to convert lactate into pyruvate, the final step in the anaerobic metabolism of glucose.

Etymology

The term "lactic acidosis" is derived from the Latin lac, lactis meaning "milk" and the Greek -osis meaning "condition", as lactic acid was first isolated from sour milk. The term "acidosis" refers to the condition of having too much acid in body fluids.

Causes

Lactic acidosis is typically caused by an underlying medical condition. It can be classified into two types: Type A and Type B. Type A lactic acidosis occurs when the body is not getting enough oxygen, such as during a severe illness or cardiac arrest. Type B lactic acidosis is less common and is not related to oxygen levels. It can be caused by certain diseases (like liver disease), medications (especially metformin), or poisoning.

Symptoms

Symptoms of lactic acidosis can include rapid breathing, abdominal pain, and high levels of lactate in the blood. Other symptoms may include a feeling of weakness, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), and a decrease in appetite.

Treatment

Treatment for lactic acidosis primarily involves correcting the underlying cause. This may involve rehydration, use of bicarbonate in severe cases, or dialysis in cases of kidney failure.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Lactic acidosis
Wikipedia's article - Lactic acidosis

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