What is Metabolic Acidosis?
Metabolic acidosis is a medical condition in which too much acid builds up in the blood. The condition occurs when the body produces too much acid or the kidneys cannot remove excess acid from the body. Metabolic acidosis is generally caused by an underlying medical condition. If left untreated or if it is very severe, metabolic acidosis can lead to shock or death.
There are several types of metabolic acidosis. The first type is diabetic acidosis. Often referred to as diabetic ketoacidosis, this condition occurs with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes and is the result of the buildup of acidic substances known as ketone bodies in the system. Hyperchloremic acidosis occurs when too much sodium is lost from the body. Severe diarrhea can cause this type of acidosis. Lactic acidosis results from the buildup of lactic acid in the body. Lactic acidosis can be caused by alcohol, caner, excessive exercise, liver failure and low blood sugar. It can also be caused by a prolonged lack of oxygen, anemia and seizures. Metabolic acidosis can also be caused by severe dehydration, kidney disease, as well as poisoning from methanol, aspirin, or ethylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze.
Medical professionals can test for metabolic acidosis in several ways. First, they can perform an arterial blood gas test. Second, they can perform a blood test to look at serum electrolytes. Third, they can perform a urine test to determine its pH level. However, it is important to note that such tests only test for metabolic acidosis. They do not determine any underlying medical conditions, such as kidney or liver problems, which may be causing the acidosis.
By itself, metabolic acidosis usually causes rapid breathing. However, a person with metabolic acidosis usually experiences other symptoms that are associated with an underlying medical condition. Health professionals generally give metabolic acidosis patients baking soda to counteract excess acid in the blood. However, treatment is usually aimed at the underlying condition.
How Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC can Help if Your Child Suffered From Metabolic Acidosis
If your child was diagnosed with metabolic acidosis and suffered injury as a result of the condition, Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC may be able to help. If severe enough, metabolic acidosis can lead to shock or death. In many cases, the metabolic acidosis is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as a prolonged lack of oxygen. Medical professionals may fail to diagnose or properly treat the underlying condition. If we are retained, we will investigate the cause of your child’s metabolic acidosis. If his or her condition could have been prevented, we will recover compensation from the party or parties responsible. Contact Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC today.
