Lactic acidosis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Lactic acidosis

Definition:

Lactic acidosis occurs when lactic acid accumulates in the blood stream at a faster rate than it can be eliminated. Lactic acid is produced when oxygen levels in the body drop. The most common cause is intensive exercise. However, it can also be caused by certain diseases, such as AIDS, cancer, and kidney failure.

Review Date: 10/20/2004
Reviewed By: Thomas A. Owens, M.D., Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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