Lactic acidosis is a serious consequence of a couple of conditions, including diabetes. But there are also other causes that lead us to suffer this serious consequence and we will learn about them in detail throughout this text. During it, we will emphasize visiting the doctor and conducting an annual check-up, since there are certain diseases that the sooner they are detected, the more likely they are to be eradicated.
Very few know what lactic acidosis is, its causes, that is, what makes us have this serious condition, how it is diagnosed, if it is treated or not, and if we can prevent it. In the case of healthy people without risky diseases such as diabetes, for example, it is important to know if lactic acidosis can be prevented or if we are free unless we suffer from some of its causes.
It is important to have annual or every two years check-ups. When we say checkups, we mean complete blood tests, vision screening, audiometries, gynecologist visit, EKG, pulmonary resistance tests, etc.
All this will help us detect abnormalities that can become long-term problems and be the beginning of a disease. You have to visit the doctor, whether we notice something or not notice something, because not seeing it does not imply that it is not there.
What is lactic acidosis?
It is a pathology that refers to an abnormal state produced by an excess of acids in the blood tissues. That lactic acid found in the bloodstream is produced when oxygen levels drop in cells found in the areas of the body where metabolism takes place.
There are really two types of acidosis and it will be the doctor who determines which one we suffer from, although below we will briefly explain each type to know whether or not according to our lifestyle or medical condition we can suffer acidosis:
- Diabetic acidosis: arises when there is an accumulation of ketones or acids in our body. Also when suffering from hyperchloremic diabetes, which arises as a result of an excessive loss of sodium bicarbonate in the body.
- Lactic acidosis: excess lactic acid and can arise from poor lifestyle habits, such as alcoholism or eating disorders.
Main causes of lactic acidosis
Every disease or condition that has to do with health has a series of causes that sometimes we do not give importance to, or we even cause ourselves without being aware of the possible consequences that will come.
- Drinking alcohol in excess.
- Liver failure.
- Perform physical exercise until exhaustion.
- Have seizures
- Have acute diarrhea.
- Cancer.
- AIDS.
- Cirrhosis.
- Cyanide poisoning.
- Renal and / or respiratory failure.
- Sepsis (it is a serious infection).
Some of these causes depend solely on ourselves, our lifestyle and our decisions, so we recommend a varied and balanced diet accompanied by healthy lifestyle habits away from vices and excesses.
These are its most common symptoms
If we see that some of these causes fit with some recent events and / or with our lifestyle, it is time to know the most common symptoms of lactic acidosis to make a small diagnosis, but the most important thing is to put ourselves in the hands of a doctor as soon as possible.
- Have very fast breathing.
- Hyperventilate frequently .
- Take deep, shaky breaths.
- Feeling chronically tired
- Have mild and moderate aches and pains in bones and joints.
- Feeling irritable
- Suffer gastric disorders.
There are some that do not have to correspond to the main condition of this article, we can simply have a bad day, be tired from having spent several days working a lot or sleeping little, feel accelerated breathing due to stress, nervousness or fear of certain changes, etc.
When we talk about symptoms, we mean that all these can occur together, or only some, or only one, and our case may even be rare and the symptoms do not coincide.
Diagnosis and treatment of lactic acidosis
It will be the endocrinologist who determines whether or not we suffer from this condition, what type we have and how to remedy it. To do this, it will carry out a series of tests that are measurements of blood gases, control of the electrolyte concentration, perform an anion gap, a calculated delta gap and measure the level of lacto in blood.
With regard to treatment, the main thing is to detect what has caused it. For this you have to go to the origin, that is, to the causes and this is where we recommend not lying to the doctor or keeping information . Since your diagnosis and treatment will be based on the tests and information that we will give you as patients.
There are alternative therapies with vitamin supplements, but we do not recommend self-medicating, but putting ourselves in the hands of a professional and not being (foolishly) at risk shows life.
We emphasize leading a healthy lifestyle and staying away from saturated fats and trans fats, leaving aside industrial pastries, ultra-processed ones, not taking refined oils, reducing sugar and salt consumption, doing moderate physical activity at least 30 minutes a day at least 3 times a week.
Can it be prevented?
We repeat the healthy life again , it is the only way to prevent a multitude of diseases, infections and health problems that we can suffer from day to day. With regard to lactic acidosis, the only way to prevent it is not to suffer those causes that trigger it, therefore, do not drink alcohol, at least not in excess and constantly.
For all other causes, it is best to consult a specialist doctor. Only he will know how to guide us in the best possible way to have a healthy and full life, without becoming obsessed.
As a general rule, if we do not have underlying problems such as lung or kidney diseases or complications, severe acidosis (of whatever type) should not develop. But the best thing is not to trust oneself, so better to be safe than sorry, and with a simple annual check-up we save ourselves a lot of trouble.
