Exercise-induced lactic acidosis is a condition where exercise causes oxygen levels to decrease and blood acid levels to increase. Lactic acidosis occurs when a person pushes past his lactate threshold, also called the anaerobic threshold. The more fit a person is, the higher his lactate threshold.
Medical Definition
The medical definition of lactic acidosis indicates the condition occurs when lactic acid in the blood goes above 4 or 5 millimoles per liter, or 4 to 5 mmol/L. This is caused when the muscles use glucose to produce energy. A by-product of that energy production is lactic acid, which is broken down by oxygen. When you work out past your anaerobic threshold, your blood's oxygen levels decrease to the point where there is not enough oxygen to process the lactic acid and it builds up in your muscles.
Symptoms
Lactic acidosis creates a burning, fatigued sensation in the muscles. This condition can be debilitating but is usually temporary. Other symptoms that are associated with more severe cases of lactic acidosis include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, hypotension, abdominal pain, hyperventilation, tachycardia, shock and irregular heart rhythm. Most athletes suffer from the mildest symptoms, burning and fatigue, which are not associated with any harm or lasting damage.
Treatment
Generally, exercise-induced lactic acidosis requires no treatment other than rest. The body is generally unable to continue performing once the lactate threshold has been reached. You become unable to continue exercise and the ensuing rest is enough for the body to re-establish oxygen levels in the blood. This, in turn, processes the lactic acid and lowers the levels to a tolerable level.
Caution
There are disorders that cause lactic acidosis, so if you experience a burning, fatigued sensation without exercise, see your doctor as soon as possible. Lactic acidosis may be caused by sepsis, carbon monoxide poisoning, liver disease, loss of blood supply to a limb, mitochondrial disorders, hemorrhaging, diabetes, cyanide poisoning and some anti-diabetic drugs and drugs that treat HIV/AIDS. These more severe cases of lactic acidosis can cause permanent damage if not addressed immediately so the underlying causes must be treated.
