What causes metabolic acidosis?
Nov 24, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Metabolic acidosis is a condition characterized by an acid-base imbalance in the body, which may result from poor dietary habits or underlying conditions such as urinary retention, adrenal insufficiency, ketoacidosis, and hyperkalemia. To prevent more serious complications, individuals diagnosed with metabolic acidosis should seek prompt medical attention to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate targeted treatment.
Metabolic acidosis is a condition characterized by an imbalance in the body's acid-base equilibrium, which may result from poor dietary habits or underlying conditions such as urinary retention, adrenal cortical insufficiency, ketoacidosis, and hyperkalemia.
1. Poor Dietary Habits
Picky eating and unbalanced diets—particularly long-term excessive consumption of high-protein foods like meat and dairy products, along with insufficient intake of dietary fiber—can lead to overproduction of acidic metabolic byproducts, potentially causing metabolic acidosis. Adjusting the diet by increasing intake of vitamin-rich foods usually helps improve the condition.
2. Urinary Retention
When urine cannot be excreted normally, urinary retention occurs, leading to gradual accumulation of acidic substances in the body and resulting in metabolic acidosis. This is often accompanied by symptoms such as urgency, pain, and frequency of urination. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as doxazosin mesylate sustained-release tablets, tadalafil tablets, or tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules to manage the condition.
3. Adrenal Cortical Insufficiency
Adrenocortical hormones play a key role in maintaining the body’s acid-base balance. A reduction in their secretion impairs the kidneys’ ability to fully excrete acidic substances, leading to metabolic acidosis, dizziness, and skin pigmentation. Symptoms can be alleviated under medical guidance using medications such as hydrocortisone injection, prednisone acetate tablets, or cortisone acetate tablets.
4. Ketoacidosis
The breakdown of ketones produces acidic substances, and their progressive accumulation in the body increases the risk of metabolic acidosis, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. It is advisable to follow medical instructions and use antidiabetic drugs such as metformin hydrochloride tablets, glipizide tablets, or gliclazide sustained-release tablets to control blood glucose levels and suppress ketone production.
5. Hyperkalemia
A sharp increase in potassium ions in the body enhances sodium-potassium exchange in renal tubules while reducing sodium-hydrogen exchange, leading to hydrogen ion accumulation in the blood and resulting in metabolic acidosis. This may manifest as muscle weakness and arrhythmias. Under medical supervision, medications such as sodium bicarbonate tablets, sodium lactate Ringer’s injection, or calcium carbonate D3 tablets may be used to promote potassium absorption and excretion.
To prevent more serious complications, individuals diagnosed with metabolic acidosis should seek timely medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
