Acidosis is an overabundance of acid within your body fluids. Drugs.com says the liver and kidneys maintain proper levels of acid. Acidosis happens when there's either too much acid or not enough alkalinity in the body to balance the acid. The different types of acidosis are all caused by certain health conditions. Over-exercising is one of the many causes of acidosis but is only limited to a particular type. See your doctor immediately if you suspect acidosis attributed to exercise, and stop working out until the problem ceases.
Types of Acidosis
Drugs.com says there are two classifications of acidosis: metabolic and respiratory. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there's so much acid in the body that the kidneys can't keep up. Lactic acidosis and diabetic acidosis are the two types of metabolic acidosis. Respiratory acidosis, on the other hand, is limited to problems within the chest area. The condition is characterized by the inability to remove carbon dioxide from the body. Lactic acidosis is the only type of acidosis that's related to over-exercising.
Effects of Exercise
Over-exercising increases the amount of lactic acid in the body. According to MedlinePlus, lactic acidosis is predominantly caused by intense exercise. Lactic acidosis is characterized by a buildup of lactic acid that occurs when there's a rapid decrease in oxygen levels in your system. When you exercise at an intense level for a long period, you expel oxygen levels at a rapid rate. The longer you exercise, the more you're at risk of lactic acid buildup in your bloodstream. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include extreme fatigue, weakness, fainting and nausea.
Treatment
Lactic acidosis attributed to vigorous exercise is usually not medically treated. Your doctor will likely recommend that you decrease the intensity of your workouts to a moderate level. If you're working to increase the intensity, gradually change your exercise routine or seek the aid of a personal trainer. MedlinePlus says lactic acidosis is only medically treated if there is an underlying health condition that increases lactic acid levels. For example, if you have kidney disease, your doctor will treat that condition and not lactic acidosis directly.
Considerations
Exercise-related acidosis won't likely recur so long as you exercise at moderate levels and you have healthy kidneys. If you develop lactic acidosis from exercise, MedlinePlus recommends a blood test to determine your electrolyte levels. Although over-exercising is a common cause of lactic acidosis, there are other causes -- including cancer, kidney problems, liver failure, hypoglycemia, anemia, Type 2 diabetes medications and alcohol consumption. If you continue to experience symptoms of acidosis, you may have an underlying medical condition.
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