Vigorous exercise causes lactic acid buildup in your tissues and body fluids, as evidenced by aching muscles the day after a workout. However people with certain metabolic conditions or taking certain drugs are at a greater risk of building up dangerous levels of lactic acid, which leads to a potentially life-threatening condition called metabolic acidosis.
Definition
Metabolic acidosis occurs when an unusually high level of acids build up in the body. There are several types of metabolic acidosis, but the one of greatest concern for fitness enthusiasts is lactic acidosis. Strenuous exercise causes lactic acid buildup in your muscles and body fluids. When exercise is combined with other conditions that cause lactic acid buildup, such as liver failure, hypoglycemia or medications such as the NRTI-class of anti-HIV drugs, lactic acid can reach dangerous and even life-threatening levels.
Causes
Healthwise, a medical information insurance site run by Cigna, explains that when your tissues don't have enough oxygen, such as during strenuous anaerobic exercise, your body breaks down carbohydrates to make energy and produce lactic acid as a byproduct. People with damaged livers can't break down lactic acid efficiently, while some drugs interfere with metabolic processes to the same effect. Another risk factor is obesity, and there is some evidence that women, people with severe infections or people who are malnourished are also at greater risk.
Symptoms
The soreness and stiffness you feel after exercise is a sign of normal lactic acid buildup in our tissues. This soreness typically causes people to slow down or stop exercising before lactic acid levels rise to dangerous levels. However, when acid reaches levels high enough to be considered metabolic acidosis, other symptoms appear, which include rapid breathing, lethargy, nausea, sweating and sweet-smelling breath. Although these symptoms could have a number of causes, if they occur right after vigorous exercise, they are more likely to be signs of lactic acidosis.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Doctors can confirm the presence of metabolic acidosis with a blood test. You will need to fast for eight to 10 hours and then have your blood drawn to measure the level of lactic acid. The website TheBody.com points out that lactic acid tests taken from arteries are more accurate than those taken from veins, but arterial blood draw are less-pleasant for the patient.
Treatment of lactic acidosis typically is treatment of the underlying condition. Patients taking drugs such as NRTIs or salicylates might be switched to alternate medications.
When To See A Doctor
Metabolic acidosis due to strenuous exercise in a healthy individual is rare. Rest and a change in exercise regimen will solve the problem. However, if you have an underlying condition that increases the risk for lactic acidosis, you should consult a physician before undertaking an exercise program to minimize the chance of reaching dangerous levels of acid.
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