Put simply, acidosis is a buildup of too much acid in your bodily fluids. There are several different types of acidosis, with a variety of causes; one type relates to over-exercising or extreme physical exertion. If you're concerned that you might have acidosis or are experiencing negative effects from over-exercising, consult your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and to discuss treatment options.
Types
There are two major types of acidosis, reports MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health: respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is caused by an excess of carbon dioxide in your body. Metabolic acidosis is further divided into subtypes: lactic acidosis, diabetic acidosis, hyperchloremic acidosis and renal tubular acidosis. Diabetic acidosis occurs in people with uncontrolled diabetes due to a buildup of excessive ketones, while hyperchloremic acidosis usually occurs due to severe diarrhea from losing too much sodium bicarbonate. Distal or proximal renal tubular acidosis is caused by kidney disease or kidney failure. Lactic acidosis involves the excessive buildup of lactic acid, which is created by your red blood cells and muscle tissues, explains the University of Michigan Health System. The most common cause of lactic acidosis is vigorous, prolonged exercise.
Identification
Lactic acidosis due to over-exercising usually produces few symptoms, except for nausea and weakness, MedlinePlus explains. To diagnose lactic acidosis, your doctor will likely need to perform certain blood tests. Your doctor can measure the lactic acid levels in your blood by testing a blood sample from an arm vein or an artery, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Normal lactic acid levels in your arterial blood are typically 3 to 7 milligrams per deciliter or 0.3 to 0.8 millimoles per liter. Normal venous-blood levels of lactic acid are 5 to 20 mg/dL or 0.6 to 2.2 mmol/L.
Significance
When your oxygen levels drop, as during strenuous exercise, your lactic acid levels increase, explains the University of Michigan Health System. Usually, your lungs and heart provide the necessary amount of oxygen to your body, but your lactic acid levels begin to rise during anaerobic exercise. Anaerobic exercise is when most people begin to develop muscle aches and stiffness, causing them to stop exercising. Athletes sometimes continue to exercise despite the high lactic-acid levels, potentially causing lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis can be fatal if left untreated.
Considerations
Aside from over-exercising, lactic acidosis can be caused by certain types of cancers, liver failure, hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, heart failure, severe anemia, seizures, shock and alcohol poisoning, MedlinePlus reports. AIDS, kidney failure, respiratory failure and sepsis can also cause lactic acidosis. Taking too much of medications containing salicylates may cause lactic acidosis in some people. Other common factors involved in high lactic-acid levels in your body fluids include severe dehydration, leukemia, serious infections, carbon monoxide poisoning and pulmonary embolisms, adds the University of Michigan Health System. Lactic acidosis is a concern for diabetics who take the medication metformin, particularly if their kidney function is impaired.
Prevention/Solution
To treat lactic acidosis, your physician will need to treat the factors or medical conditions causing the excessive lactic-acid levels in your body, MedlinePlus advises. If your lactic acidosis is due to over-exercising, this will likely mean changing your exercise routine or the duration and intensity of your workouts. You must get a correct diagnosis from your doctor to determine whether other factors or an underlying condition are causing elevated lactic-acid levels, warns the University of Michigan Health System.
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