An imbalance of acids and bicarbonate in the body may lead to acidosis, according to MedlinePlus. The two main types of the disease are metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis. Overproduction of acid or the inability of the kidneys to remove sufficient acid from the body results in metabolic acidosis. An overabundance of carbon dioxide in the body causes respiratory acidosis. Metabolic acidosis may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue and faster breathing. Respiratory acidosis may result in headaches, confusion and shallow or slow breathing. Doctors treat the condition by dealing with the underlying causes of acidosis.
Diabetic Acid Buildup
Acidic substances called ketone bodies build up from uncontrolled diabetes, causing diabetic acidosis, a form of metabolic acidosis. This occurs when high blood sugar levels and not enough insulin in the body lead to the buildup, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Serious results include diabetic coma or death if the condition is not treated. Diabetic acidosis mainly affects people with type 1 diabetes, in which daily insulin injections are needed. People with type 2 diabetes, however, are usually treated with medication and diet and may suffer from diabetic acidosis. The condition also affects women with gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy.
Sodium Loss
Excessive loss of sodium bicarbonate from the body causes hyperchloremic acidosis, a form of metabolic acidosis. It can occur due to loss of sodium bicarbonate through severe diarrhea or colostomy.
Kidney Failure
Kidney acidosis, also called renal tubular acidosis, occurs when the kidneys fail to excrete acids into the urine, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. A person's blood remains too acidic as a result. Treatment is essential to avoid kidney stones, bone disease and chronic kidney disease.
Lactic Acid Buildup
The buildup of lactic acid may cause lactic acidosis, another form of metabolic acidosis. It can result from vigorous exercise over a long period of time, alcohol, liver failure, low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, cancer, a lack of oxygen because of shock, heart failure or severe anemia, seizures and cancer.
Substances
Ingestion of poisons, such as methanol in wood alcohol and ethylene glycol in antifreeze, can cause metabolic acidosis. Large doses of aspirin, which contain acetylsalicylic acids, can lead to metabolic acidosis. Some diuretics, which encourage urination, may deplete acids in the body and cause metabolic acidosis as well.
Carbon Dioxide
Excess carbon dioxide, an acid, in the body may lead to respiratory acidosis. The body's ability to remove carbon dioxide from the system becomes reduced from breathing problems. Respiratory acidosis may result from chronic lung disease, including chronic bronchitis, severe pneumonia, pulmonary edema and asthma, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Chest muscle weakness, injuries or deformities can also lead to respiratory acidosis.
