Excess lactic acid or lactic acidosis can occur due to several things, such as intensive exercise or due to infection. When experiencing this condition, the body can experience certain symptoms, ranging from mild to severe.
Lactic acid is a by-product of the body's metabolism which is produced in muscle cells and red blood cells. The amount of lactic acid in the body will usually increase when the body is doing a lot of physical activity or exercising.
The Link Between Lactic Acid and Exercise
When exercising, the body will need more oxygen, but the amount of oxygen can not always be sufficient. When this happens, the body will increase the metabolism to produce enough energy. One of the by-products formed from this process is lactic acid.
Increased lactic acid due to exercise is generally not harmful to the body, but can cause certain complaints, such as shortness of breath, and faster breathing.
Increased amounts of lactic acid are also more at risk for people who exercise excessively. Apart from exercise, lactic acid can also increase due to certain medical conditions.
Symptoms and Causes of Excess Lactic Acid
When the body is overloaded with lactic acid due to exercise, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Muscle cramps or pain
- Headache
- Weak
- Sweat a lot
- Heart beating fast
If it occurs due to exercise, these symptoms will generally subside on their own after the body is rested and the metabolism returns to normal.
However, an increase in lactic acid can sometimes also be caused by certain medical conditions or diseases. This can cause symptoms of excess lactic acid, even if you're not exercising.
The following are some medical conditions that can cause excess lactic acid:
- Sepsis
- Heart attack
- Breathing failure
- Fluid buildup or swelling in the lungs (pulmonary oedema)
- liver disease
- Leukemia
- Severe dehydration
- Acidosis
In addition to some of the conditions above, the body can also experience excess lactic acid due to alcohol poisoning or metabolic disorders.
When experiencing complaints or certain medical conditions that can cause the body to excess lactic acid, you should immediately consult a doctor.
If the excess lactic acid is severe and not treated immediately, this can lead to several complications, such as heart rhythm disturbances and blood acid-base disorders.
Lactic Acid Level Test
To check the level of lactic acid in the body, the doctor will do a blood test. This test is done by taking a blood sample from a vein or artery using a needle. In addition to lactic acid levels, blood tests can also be done to determine the level of oxygen in the blood.
Normal lactic acid levels are less than 2 mmol/L. However, this figure is only a reference because the normal level of lactic acid in a person can vary.
Before taking a blood test, you should avoid consuming alcoholic beverages or certain drugs, such as tuberculosis drugs isoniazid or diabetes medication metformin. This is because these drugs can affect the accuracy of the lactic acid test results.
Treatment for Excess Lactic Acid Due to Exercise
Excess lactic acid from exercise is usually temporary and harmless. To prevent and overcome the occurrence of excess lactic acid in the body, you can follow the following tips:
- Drink enough water or electrolyte drinks during and after exercise.
- Do moderate exercise, which is about 30 minutes every day or at least 3 times per week.
- Learn breathing techniques during exercise to help your muscles get more oxygen.
- Warm up and cool down while exercising.
- Get enough rest after exercise.
Excess lactic acid due to exercise is not a dangerous thing. However, increasing the amount of lactic acid in the body can be dangerous when caused by certain diseases.
Therefore, if you do not do strenuous physical activity or sports but experience symptoms of excess lactic acid, such as weakness, chest palpitations, and muscle pain, immediately consult a doctor. That way, the doctor can determine the cause and provide the appropriate treatment.