Acidosis - what is it: symptoms and treatment. Metabolic acidosis and its therapy Acidosis is characterized by a decrease in blood pH and hypercapnia

The medical term “acidosis” refers to a condition of the human body in which the acid-base balance is disturbed.

Causes of acidosis

Violation of the acid-base balance occurs as a result of insufficient oxidation and excretion of organic acids. In general, in a healthy person these products are eliminated from the body quite quickly. In some diseases and conditions (for example, during pregnancy, intestinal disorders, fasting, febrile illnesses, etc.) they are excreted very slowly. In mild cases, this is manifested by the appearance of acetone and acetoacetic acid in the urine (this condition is called acetonuria), and in severe cases (for example, with diabetes) it leads to coma, shock and even death of a person.

Thus, the causes of acidosis, or more precisely, the factors that accompany the development of this condition, can be:

• Pregnancy;
• Strict diets, fasting;
• Smoking, alcohol abuse;
• Poisoning and other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Diseases characterized by metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, febrile conditions, etc.);
• Dehydration of the body (regardless of the cause that caused it);
• Malignant formations;
• Oxygen starvation (for heart failure, states of shock, anemia);
• Kidney failure;
• Poisoning by chemicals, the metabolism of which can lead to the formation of excess acids;
• Respiratory failure in severe form (with emphysema, pneumonia, hypoventilation, etc.);
• Kidney loss of bicarbonate;
• Hypoglycemia (a condition characterized by a decrease in blood glucose levels);
• Circulatory failure (for example, with pulmonary edema);
• Taking certain medications (for example, calcium chloride, salicylates, etc.).

It is worth noting that it is not always possible to determine the cause of acidosis.

Classification of acidosis

Based on its origin, acidosis is divided into:

• Respiratory (develops due to inhalation of air with a high concentration of carbon dioxide);
• Non-respiratory (caused by an excess of non-volatile acids);
• Mixed.

In turn, non-respiratory acidosis is classified into:

• Excretory: develops as a result of a dysfunction in removing non-volatile acids from the body, most often in kidney diseases;
• Exogenous: characterized by the entry into the body of an increased amount of substances that are converted in the process of acid oxidation;
• Metabolic: caused by the accumulation of endogenous acids in tissues due to their insufficient binding and/or destruction. The most difficult condition.

According to the pH level (at a norm of 7.25-7.44), acidosis is divided into:

• Compensated - a shift in blood pH towards the lower limit of the physiological norm to 7.35;
• Subcompensated – more pronounced shift to the “acidic” side – pH 7.35-7.29;
• Decompensated – decrease in pH level less than 7.29.

In the case when the pH level in the body reaches extremely low (less than 7.24) levels (in fact, as well as extremely high values), denaturation of proteins occurs (i.e. loss of their natural properties), and the function of enzymes also decreases, cell destruction occurs – this can lead to the death of the body.

Acidosis can cause critical conditions such as:

• Increased blood clotting;
• Brain dysfunctions;
• Decrease in circulating blood volumes;
• Critical fluctuations in blood pressure;
• Dehydration;
• Peripheral thrombosis;
• Myocardial infarction;
• Infarction of parenchymal organs;
• Coma;
• Death.

Symptoms of acidosis

Symptoms of acidosis are difficult to differentiate from signs of various diseases, and in mild forms they are not at all associated with a violation of acid-base balance.

Symptoms of mild acidosis may include:

• Short-term nausea and vomiting;
• General malaise;
• Fatigue;

More severe conditions of acidosis may be accompanied by:

• Cardiac arrhythmia;
• Central nervous system disorders: lethargy, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness;
• Shortness of breath;
• Hyperpnea (increased depth of breathing and then its frequency);
• Increased heart rate;
• Signs of a decrease in the volume of extracellular fluid (ECF), especially with diabetic acidosis;
• Increased blood pressure;
• Increasing deafness.

Severe acidosis can lead to circular shock, which develops as a result of impaired myocardial contractility and the response of peripheral vessels to catecholamines.

Diagnosis of acidosis

As mentioned above, the symptoms of acidosis are not specific. In addition, they are very often masked by signs of the underlying disease, so the diagnosis cannot always be established immediately.

For an accurate diagnosis, patients undergo the following studies:

• Blood test to determine the pH level in the urine;
• Arterial blood analysis for the presence of serum electrolytes;
• Analysis of arterial blood to determine its gas composition.

The last two studies allow us to determine not only whether a person has acidosis, but also its type (respiratory or metabolic).

A number of additional studies may be needed to determine the cause of acidosis.

Treatment of acidosis

Due to the fact that the described condition is the result of a disruption in the functioning of body systems, the goal of treating acidosis is to eliminate the factors that became the trigger. In particular, we are talking about the treatment of underlying diseases, pathological conditions or dysfunctions, which provoked a shift in the acid-base balance of the body.

Correction of severe forms of acidosis involves:

• Elimination of the provoking factor;
• Normalization of hemodynamics: improvement of rheological properties of blood, restoration of microcirculation, elimination of hypovolemia;
• Correction of electrolyte metabolism;
• Elimination of hypoproteinemia;
• Improving renal blood flow;
• Strengthening the hydrocarbonate buffer system;
• Improving oxidative processes in tissues by introducing ascorbic acid, glucose, riboxin, thiamine, insulin, pyridoxine;
• Improving pulmonary ventilation (switching to artificial ventilation in extreme cases).

Targeted correction of the acid-base state by introducing buffer solutions is carried out only at a pH level of less than 7.25 (with decompensated acidosis).

Symptomatic treatment of acidosis involves drinking plenty of fluids, ingesting soda, as well as eliminating associated symptoms (malaise, nausea, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, etc.). In case of poisoning, drugs are prescribed that remove toxic substances from the body; in severe cases, dialysis is performed.

Treatment of acidosis in children is similar to the treatment of this condition in adults.

Acidosis is a condition of the body characterized by a violation of the acid-base balance of the body with a shift towards increasing acidity and decreasing the pH of its media. The main reason for the development of the condition is the accumulation of oxidation products of organic acids, which are normally quickly eliminated from the body. An increase in the concentration of oxidation products of organic acids during acidosis can be caused by external factors (inhalation of air with a high concentration of carbon dioxide), as well as internal factors that are disruptions in the functioning of systems, as a result of which the metabolism of products and the accumulation of metabolites of organic acids are disrupted. Severe conditions with acidosis provoke shock, coma and death of the patient.

Acidosis of any origin can lead to critical conditions of the body:

• Dehydration;
• Increased blood clotting;
• Critical fluctuations in blood pressure;
• Myocardial infarction, infarction of parenchymal organs;
• Decrease in circulating blood volumes;
• Peripheral thrombosis;
• Impaired brain function;
• Coma;
• Death.

Classification of acidosis

According to the mechanisms of development of acidosis, the following types of disorders are distinguished:

• Non-respiratory acidosis;
• Respiratory acidosis (inhaling air with a high concentration of carbon dioxide);
• Mixed type of acidosis (a condition caused by different types of acidosis).

Non-respiratory acidosis, in turn, is subject to the following classification:

• Excretory acidosis is a condition that develops when the function of removing acids from the body is impaired (impaired kidney function);
• Metabolic acidosis is the most complex condition characterized by the accumulation of endogenous acids in the tissues of the body;
• Exogenous acidosis is a state of increased acid concentration caused by the intake of a large amount of substances into the body that are converted into acids during metabolism.

According to the pH level, acidosis is classified as:

• Compensated;
• Subcompensated;
• Decompensated.

When the pH level reaches the minimum (7.24) and maximum (7.45) values ​​(normal pH = 7.25 - 7.44), protein denaturation, cell destruction, and enzyme function decrease, which can lead to the death of the organism.

Acidosis: causes of the disease

Acidosis is not a disease. This is a condition of the body that is caused by exposure to certain factors. In case of acidosis, the following factors can become the reasons for the development of this condition:

• Fasting, dieting, alcohol abuse, smoking;
• Poisoning, loss of appetite, other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Conditions of the body in which metabolism is disrupted (diabetes mellitus, circulatory failure, febrile conditions);
• Pregnancy;
• Malignant neoplasms;
• Dehydration of the body;
• Kidney failure;
• Poisoning with substances whose metabolism in the body leads to the formation of excess acids;
• Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels);
• Oxygen starvation (in states of shock, anemia, heart failure);
• Renal bicarbonate loss;
• The use of a certain number of drugs (salicylates, calcium chloride, etc.);
• Respiratory failure.

In some cases, with acidosis, there are no reasons that clearly indicate the development of the condition.

Acidosis: symptoms, clinical picture of the disease

With acidosis, the symptoms are difficult to differentiate from the symptoms of other diseases. In mild forms of acidosis, symptoms are not associated with a shift in the body's acid-base balance. The main symptoms of acidosis are:

• Short-term nausea, vomiting;
• General malaise;
• Increased heart rate, shortness of breath;
• Cardiac arrhythmias;
• Increased blood pressure;
• Disorder of the functions of the central nervous system (drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, loss of consciousness, lethargy);
• Shock conditions;

It should be noted that in mild forms of acidosis, symptoms may not appear at all.

Diagnosis of acidosis

To accurately diagnose acidosis, the following research methods are used:

• Analysis of blood gas composition (for analysis, arterial blood is taken from the radial artery at the wrist; analysis of venous blood will not accurately determine the pH level);
• Urine pH level analysis;
• Arterial blood analysis for serum electrolytes.

Blood tests for basic metabolic parameters (gas composition and level of serum electrolytes) show not only the presence of acidosis, but also determine the type of acidosis (respiratory, metabolic). Other tests may be needed to determine the cause of acidosis.

Acidosis: treatment

Based on the fact that this condition is caused by disturbances in the functioning of the body's systems, in case of acidosis, treatment is reduced to the treatment of the underlying disease, pathological condition or dysfunction that provoked a shift in the acid-base balance of the body.

To correct metabolic acidosis, treatment involves intravenous fluids as well as treatment of the underlying disease causing the condition.

In severe forms of acidosis, treatment involves prescribing medications containing sodium bicarbonate (drinking, infusion solutions) to increase the pH level to 7.2 or higher. Sodium bicarbonate is added to solutions of glucose or sodium chloride, depending on disturbances in circulating blood volumes due to acidosis.

To relieve pronounced ailments due to acidosis, symptomatic treatment is prescribed. When acidosis develops due to poisoning, treatment involves removing the toxic substance from the body; in cases of severe poisoning, dialysis is used.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

The information is generalized and is provided for informational purposes. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous to health!

Comments on the material (23):

1 2

To quote Al:

Well, explain it well. Throwing around meaningful phrases doesn’t require much intelligence either. What happens if a person eats 15 times more sugar every day than is physically and evolutionarily reasonable? How does this affect metabolism? Carbon dioxide produced from glucose in the cell does not dissolve and is not ionized? Does the body ever have too much carbon dioxide? Will there be acidosis? What will happen? I’m not being sarcastic, if you know the subject well and are not too lazy to answer, then help everyone understand it too. Thank you.

Nadezhda doctor / 13 Sep 2018, 11:29

I quote Galina G.:

Hello.
A 4.8-year-old child has often suffered from elevated acetone levels since October last year (measured with test strips).
This week it was 4+, after 2 days of IV glucose, NaCl and Ringer, a fasting finger prick blood test determined pH 7.26, and acetone
that is, the onset of acidosis. Now she feels good, but eats almost 1 kg of baked potatoes (carbohydrates) a day...
Doctors intimidated, suspecting improper metabolism, namely protein breakdown
They said it could be fatal; the child is active, runs often, chatters a lot, and begins to have difficulty breathing. In order to avoid acetone, I constantly almost force him to drink 2-3 cups of sweet tea a day.
From the age of 3 I went to a state kindergarten, where I “successfully suffered from pneumonia” 4!! times (that’s when the “acetone fairy tale” began).
They transferred me to a private one, from there she brings only 2-day viral infections, at a temperature - immediately acetone.
Mostly he sits at home with me, calm and under supervision.

The question is, could a lung problem and intermittent breathing cause such a pH?

Hello, Galina.
Please take into account that very, very often, with acetone in children, overdiagnosis occurs, especially in pediatrics in post-Soviet countries. This means that parents will exhaust a healthy child with visits to doctors, and doctors will find more and more complex diagnoses. In most cases (with extremely rare exceptions), no treatment is required, since there are no serious disorders, these are metabolic features in some children, not a disease. Read about acetone from Komarovsky, try to contact another pediatrician, in a large clinic (where the doctors are more experienced and have more opportunities) and get a second opinion.
Now regarding colds. In children under 7-8 years of age, the immune system is developing; until this age it is immature. When visiting children's institutions, children encounter new infectious agents and get sick, but their immunity is trained and strengthened. This is an important stage, and it is completely normal.

1 2

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• What is Acidosis
• What causes acidosis
• Symptoms of Acidosis
• Diagnosis of Acidosis
• Treatment of Acidosis

What is Acidosis

Acidosis(from Latin acidus - sour), a change in the acid-base balance of the body as a result of insufficient excretion and oxidation of organic acids (for example, betahydroxybutyric acid). Typically, these products are quickly eliminated from the body. In case of febrile diseases, intestinal disorders, pregnancy, fasting, etc., they are retained in the body, which is manifested in mild cases by the appearance of acetoacetic acid and acetone in the urine (the so-called acetonuria), and in severe cases (for example, with diabetes) can lead to to a coma.

What causes acidosis

Typically, the oxidation products of organic acids are quickly removed from the body. In case of febrile diseases, intestinal disorders, pregnancy, fasting, etc., they are retained in the body, which is manifested in mild cases by the appearance of acetoacetic acid and acetone in the urine (the so-called. acetonuria), and in severe cases (for example, with diabetes) it can lead to coma.

Pathogenesis (what happens?) during Acidosis

According to the mechanisms of occurrence, there are 4 types of acid-base disorders, each of which can be compensated or decompensated:

1. non-respiratory (metabolic) acidosis;
2. respiratory acidosis;
3. non-respiratory (metabolic) alkalosis;
4. respiratory alkalosis.

Non-respiratory (metabolic) acidosis- This is the most common and most severe form of acid-base imbalance. Non-respiratory (metabolic) acidosis is based on the accumulation in the blood of so-called non-volatile acids (lactic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, acetoacetic acid, etc.) or the loss of buffer bases by the body.

Symptoms of Acidosis

The main symptoms of acidosis are often masked by the manifestations of the underlying disease or are difficult to distinguish from them. Mild acidosis may be asymptomatic or accompanied by some fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. For severe metabolic acidosis (for example, pH less than 7.2 and bicarbonate ion concentration less than 10 mEq/L), hyperpnea is most characteristic, manifested by an increase first in the depth and then in the frequency of respiration (Kussmaul respiration). Signs of decreased ECF volume may also be observed, especially with diabetic acidosis or loss of bases through the gastrointestinal tract. Severe acidosis sometimes leads to circulatory shock due to impaired myocardial contractility and the response of peripheral vessels to catecholamines, as well as increasing stupor.

Diagnosis of Acidosis

In severe acidosis, when the content of bicarbonate ions in the plasma becomes very low, the urine pH drops below 5.5, the blood pH below 7.35, and the HCO3 concentration below 21 mEq/L. In the absence of pulmonary diseases, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood does not reach 40 mmHg. Art. With simple metabolic acidosis, it can decrease by about 1-1.3 mm Hg. Art. for every mEq/L decrease in plasma HCO3 levels. A greater drop in paCO2 indicates simultaneous primary respiratory alkalosis.

Many forms of metabolic acidosis are characterized by increase in undetectable anions. The amount of serum undetectable anions (sometimes called anion gap or anion deficiency) is estimated by the difference between the serum sodium concentration and the sum of the chloride and bicarbonate concentrations. It is believed that normally this value ranges between 12 + 4 meq/l. However, it is derived from measuring electrolyte levels using a Technicon auto analyzer, which was widely used in the 1970s. Currently, most clinical laboratories use other methods that give slightly different figures. In particular, the normal serum chloride level is higher, and there are normally fewer undetectable anions - only 3-6 mEq/L. You should be aware of this and proceed from the limits of the standards established in the laboratory whose services are used in this particular case.

Metabolic acidosis may be associated with the accumulation of undetectable anions - for example, sulfate in renal failure, ketone bodies in diabetic or alcoholic ketoacidosis, lactate or exogenous toxic substances (ethylene glycol, salicylates). Metabolic acidosis with normal amounts of undetectable anions (hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis) is usually due to primary loss of bicarbonate through the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys (eg, renal tubular acidosis).

Diabetic acidosis usually characterized by hyperglycemia and ketonemia. With hyperglycemia and non-ketone (according to routine clinical tests) acidosis, the content of lactic and/or p-hydroxybutyric acid in the blood is increased.

Ethylene glycol poisoning should be suspected in unexplained acidosis if oxalate crystals are present in the urine.

Salicylate poisoning characterized first by respiratory alkalosis and then by metabolic acidosis; the level of salicylates in the blood usually exceeds 30-40 mg%.

Since acidosis is often accompanied by hypovolemia, mild azotemia is often observed (blood urea nitrogen content 30-60 mg%). Greater increases in blood urea nitrogen, especially when combined with hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, suggest renal failure as the cause of acidosis. Hypocalcemia is sometimes observed in septic shock. Changes in serum potassium levels during acidosis are discussed above (see disorders of potassium metabolism). In lactic acidosis, hyperkalemia is relatively rare unless there is concurrent renal failure and/or increased tissue breakdown.

Treatment of Acidosis

Elimination of the cause that caused acidosis (for example, lack of insulin in diabetes), as well as symptomatic - ingestion of soda, drinking plenty of fluids.

Which doctors should you contact if you have Acidosis?

Therapist

Reanimatologist

Emergency doctor

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Metabolic acidosis is a violation of the acid-base state. The disease is characterized by a decrease in blood pH, and a low concentration of bicarbonate is also noted. Experts distinguish between acidosis with a high and normal anion gap. This depends on the presence or absence of unmeasured anions in the plasma. If the body cannot cope with the removal of acid, it produces too much of it, which means there is a risk of developing a severe form of acidosis and coma. At the first signs of an unhealthy condition, you should seek therapeutic help.

Symptoms

Moderate impairment within the range of BE up to 9 mmol/l often develops without obvious symptoms. If the pH drops to 7.2, breathing becomes deeper and faster. As the pH subsequently decreases, the following is noted:

• myocardial depression;
• decreased sensitivity to catecholamines;
• decreased heart performance;
• hypoxic encephalopathy.

Mild acidosis may manifest itself as nausea and vomiting. Constant fatigue and fatigue are noted. Quite often, patients do not pay attention to changed breathing, although this sign is indicative. As acidosis progresses, drowsiness and severe weakness increase. Without timely and correct help, extremely severe symptoms of acidosis are possible:

• bone demineralization;
• coma.

The disease is confirmed by testing blood taken from the radial artery in the wrist. The content of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate is studied. When blood pH decreases by 0.10 units, the K+ concentration increases by 0.6 mmol. Hyperkalemia can lead to pathological acid-base conditions.

Experts identify three main categories of factors leading to violations. This:

• intake of acid-forming substances;
• excessive acid production in diseases;
• impaired renal function.

Metabolic acidosis with an increased anion gap usually progresses against the background of ketoacidosis. The formation of ketone bodies is accelerated as a result of:

• progression of diabetes;
• malnutrition;
• regular alcohol consumption;
• diabetes mellitus;
• syndrome of acute or chronic autointoxication;
• cardiogenic shock.

Other causes of acidosis include renal failure. Cases of varying degrees of poisoning with salts of salicylic acid, ethylene glycol, and methyl alcohol have been recorded. As for lactic acidosis, it is provoked by a decrease in the amount of oxygen supplied to the tissues. As a result, too much lactate is produced. Eventually severe acidosis occurs. The problem is characteristic of a number of conditions accompanied by insufficient blood supply to tissues.

Normal anion gap metabolic disorder, also called hyperchloremic acidosis, is caused by:

• loss of total bicarbonates by the kidneys;
• taking mineral acids;
• loss of HCO3 through the gastrointestinal tract.

Patients suffering from SLE, nephrotic syndrome, multiple myeloma, and cystinosis are at risk. The following pose a certain danger:

• pancreatic fistula;
• prolonged diarrhea;
• ureterosigmoidostomy;
• long-term oral intake of hydrochloric acid, ammonium chloride, calcium chloride.

Diagnosis of the disease

Metabolic acidosis is confirmed by determining the anion gap. An elevated rate may be due to a clinically obvious cause. These include irregular attendance at hemodialysis sessions, hypovolemic shock, and so on. If the cause is unknown, then it is necessary to donate blood to determine:

• Sahara;
• urea nitrogen;
• creatinine;
• lactate.

Standard analysis includes determination of the presence of salicylates only, or in addition of methanol and ethylene glycol.

Blood gas analysis indicates a decrease in bicarbonate levels with a compensatory decrease in PACO2. In classic metabolic acidosis, the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood is equal to the bicarbonate concentration multiplied by 1.5 + 6-10 mm Hg. Art. If a deviation from the indicator is registered, then respiratory dysfunction is in question.

Which doctor should I contact?

Metabolic acidosis itself is not an independent disease. The condition is a consequence of other disorders in the body and tissue damage. To identify the main cause of the problem, you need to contact doctors such as:

Next, the doctor gives a referral for blood tests. A urine test may be required. Hardware diagnostics for acidosis are not provided. However, ultrasound and other methods are necessary if a specialist suspects damage to internal organs that is not reflected in the history. A cardiologist and oncologist can take part in diagnosis and further therapy.

Treatment

After stopping the acute period and stabilizing the patient, we move on to treating the underlying cause. Therapy in most cases is complex. The correction involves:

• restoration of microcirculation;
• improvement of hemorheology;
• improvement of pulmonary ventilation;
• normalization of electrolyte metabolism;
• stabilization of protein levels in blood plasma.

At the same time, the blood supply to the kidneys is normalized. It is important to improve oxidative processes in tissues. For this purpose they prescribe:

• thiamine;
• glucose;
• riboxin;
• insulin;
• pyridoxine;
• ascorbic acid.

It is also necessary to strengthen the hydrocarbonate buffer system. The introduction of buffers is indicated only for decompensated forms with a pH of 7.25 or less. Treatment of acidosis involves the use of solutions:

• 4.2% sodium bicarbonate;
• 11% sodium lactate;
• 3.66% triamine;
• lactasol.

In case of poisoning, toxic substances are removed from the body. The severe condition requires dialysis. If acidosis is caused by diabetes mellitus, the patient is prescribed insulin. Potassium deficiency, characteristic of acidosis, is corrected by oral or parenteral administration of KCI.

Throughout the course of treatment, you must adhere to a special diet. Allowed for use:

• compotes and berry decoctions;
• whole grains;
• raw fruits and vegetables.

Plant-based products account for 60% of all food. Of these, 2/3 is occupied by raw fruits and vegetables.

If the cause of the acid-base imbalance resolves on its own, then healthy kidneys restore the natural volume of bicarbonate in a couple of days. When metabolic acidosis is associated with chronic renal failure, long-term, perhaps even lifelong, therapy is required.

Symptoms and treatment of acidosis are variable and may not reflect the severity of the condition, so treatment should only be prescribed by an experienced practitioner. Otherwise, you can provoke an exacerbation of the underlying disease, for example, heart failure.

Why is acidosis dangerous?

Ignoring signs of an unhealthy condition can cost the patient his life. Some of the most common effects of acidosis include:

• dehydration;
• increased blood clotting;
• thrombosis of peripheral arteries;
• infarction of parenchymal organs.

There is a significant risk of myocardial infarction, and not only in older patients. Patients with intractable impairment of CBS may experience serious impairment of brain function. Treatment of acidosis is mandatory, as the risk of decreased circulatory volume increases. To monitor the condition throughout the course of therapy, it is necessary to take tests several times:

• urine pH level;
• on serum electrolytes;
• arterial blood for gas composition.

It is important to understand that with an absolute or relative increase in acidity in the body, critical changes in blood pressure are quite often observed. They entail many serious consequences. Unfortunately, without timely medical care, the patient may die.

Prognosis for the disease

If the patient consults a doctor in the early stages of the progression of the disorder, then his chances of recovery are maximum. In general, the prognosis for acidosis is variable. If the cause of the imbalance is not eliminated, the level of organic acids will continue to rise. This will lead to depletion of the body's compensatory mechanisms, which can lead to coma.

If the patient is on dialysis, then it is highly recommended not to skip procedures, since the level of ketone acids will increase, leading to:

• circulatory disorders;
• cardiac arrhythmia;
• confusion;
• lethargy.

Traditional methods of treatment

Any manipulations outside of doctor’s prescriptions must be adequate and not harmful to health. Before resorting to alternative medicine, it is better to consult a doctor about contraindications. Treatment of acidosis with traditional methods involves the use of:

• 
  

  Pumpkins.

  Start with 20-30 g of boiled or baked pulp. Gradually increase the portion to 150 g.

• 
  

  Lingonberry infusion.

  20 g of lingonberry leaves are poured into 200 ml of hot water. They insist for half an hour. Take 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.

• 
  

  Nettle infusion.

  20-30 g of nettle leaves are poured into a glass of hot water. After 30 minutes, filter and take 1 tsp. 3 times a day.