Lactic acidosis

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Lactic acidosis
Classification and external resources
Lactic acid
ICD-10 E87.2
ICD-9 276.2
DiseasesDB 29145
MedlinePlus 000391
eMedicine med/1253 
MeSH C18.452.076.176.180

Lactic acidosis is a condition caused by the buildup of lactic acid in the body. It leads to acidification of the blood (acidosis), and is considered a distinct form of metabolic acidosis.[1]

The cells produce lactic acid when they use glucose for energy in the absence of adequate oxygen. If too much lactic acid stays in the body, the balance tips and the person begins to feel ill. The signs of lactic acidosis are deep and rapid breathing, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Lactic acidosis may be caused by diabetic ketoacidosis or liver or kidney disease, as well as some forms of medication (most notably the anti-diabetic drug metformin). Some anti-HIV drugs (antiretrovirals) warn doctors in their prescribing information to regularly watch for symptoms of lactic acidosis caused by mitochondrial toxicity.

Contents

[edit] Classification

The Cohen-Woods classification categorises causes of lactic acidosis as follows:[2]

  • Type A: Decreased perfusion or oxygenation
  • Type B:

[edit] Associated conditions

Lactic acidosis is an underlying process of rigor mortis. Tissue in the muscles of the deceased resort to anaerobic metabolism in the absence of oxygen and significant amounts of lactic acid are released into the muscle tissue. This along with the loss of ATP causes the muscles to grow stiff.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Luft, FC (February 2001). "Lactic acidosis update for critical care clinicians". Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 12 (Suppl. 17): 15–19. American Society of Nephrology. PMID 11251027. 
  2. ^ Woods, Hubert Frank; Cohen, Robert (1976). Clinical and biochemical aspects of lactic acidosis. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific. ISBN 0-632-09460-5. 
  • Clinical Physiology of Acid-Base and Electrolyte Disorders by Rose, Post
  • Intensive Care Medicine by Irwin and Rippe
  • The ICU Book by Marino
v • d • e
Water-electrolyte imbalance and acid-base imbalance (E86-E87, 276)
Volume status
Electrolyte
Acid-base
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It can also be present at birth. So it is important to get checked if the baby has any symptoms.