Lactic acidosis is a condition characterized by increased acidity of the blood resulting from excess lactic acid. The condition can cause severe symptoms and may become life-threatening if left untreated. The body produces lactic acid as a byproduct of generating energy inside cells. The cells make more lactic acid under two circumstances: when the mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cells, are not working properly; and when oxygen levels in the blood are low, which happens during times of intense exercise or as a result of other medical conditions. The treatments for lactic acidosis depend on its cause.
Immediate Treatments
Patients with severe lactic acidosis may require hospitalization to stabilize their condition, reports the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Severe lactic acidosis may cause persistent vomiting and nausea, difficulty breathing and an abnormal heart beat. Doctors may administer intravenous fluids in an attempt to alter the blood chemistry. In extreme cases of difficulty breathing, a patient may require a machine to help breath properly.
Vitamins
Some health care practitioners recommend giving a patient with lactic acidosis vitamins, such as riboflavin, also called vitamin B2; thiamin, also called vitamin B1; and vitamins C, E and K. Other nutrients, including coenzyme Q and L-carnitine, are sometimes also administered. Although some doctors report improvement in their patients after receiving these vitamins and supplements, no controlled clinical trials have yet proven their effectiveness, the Johns Hopkins HIV Guide explains.
Dichloroacetate
Dichloroacetate, abbreviated DCA, is a medication sometimes used to treat lactic acidosis. DCA acts by altering the way cells produce energy and results in a decreased production of lactic acid. However, clinical trials have shown mixed results in treating lactic acidosis with DCA. A study published in the January 1988 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine found that DCA treatment was effective in reducing lactic acid levels in patients with lactic acidosis. However, a study of children with congenital lactic acidosis published in the May 2006 issue of Pediatrics found that while lactic acid levels were reduced, the symptoms of lactic acidosis were not significantly improved.
Ceasing Medications
Some medications, particularly nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, abbreviated NRTIs, cause lactic acid levels to build up in the blood. NRTIs are often used to treat HIV/AIDS. If a person develops lactic acidosis after taking NRTIs, he may need to switch to another AIDS medication, according to the Johns Hopkins HIV guide.
Treat the Underlying Condition
Lactic acidosis is often caused by another medical conditions, such as liver failure, kidney failure, cancer or AIDS. In may cases, the only way to permanently treat the lactic acidosis is to treat the underlying condition, according to Medline Plus.
References
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AIDS Info: Lactic Acidosis
- Medline Plus: Lactic Acidosis
- Johns Hopkins HIV GuideL Lactic Acidosis
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Dichloroacetate in the Treatment of Lactic Acidosis; Peter W. Stacpoole et al; January 1988
- "Pediatrics"; Controlled Clinical Trial of Dichloroacetate for Treatment of Congenital Lactic Acidosis in Children; Peter W. Stacpoole et al; May 2006
