Metabolic Acidosis
Alternate Names : Acidosis, Metabolic
Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which the acid level within
the blood is higher than normal. By definition, the condition is not due to
breathing problems, which is known as
respiratory acidosis.
What is going on in the body?
The lungs and kidneys help control the amount of acid in the blood. These two
organs work hard to keep a normal level of acid in the blood. Certain non-lung
diseases and conditions, when severe, can overwhelm the kidneys. Alternatively,
the kidneys themselves may not work. Either of these situations can cause high
acid levels in the blood, or metabolic acidosis.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
Metabolic acidosis can be caused by many different situations, including:
some types of kidney disease or kidney failure
an overdose of aspirin
ingestion of ethylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze
shock, a condition that occurs
in very sick people due to poor blood flow throughout the body
diabetic ketoacidosis, a
condition that occurs in certain people with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus
medications, such as a diuretic or "fluid pill" called acetazolamide. A
diabetes medication called metformin occasionally causes metabolic
acidosis.
severe diarrhea
Other causes are also possible.
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