Excess Lactic Acid, These are the Effects on the Body

 

Excess lactic acid or lactic acidosis can occur for several reasons, for example intense exercise or infection. When an excess of lactic acid occurs, the body can experience certain symptoms, ranging from mild to severe.

Lactic acid is a by-product of the body's metabolism 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.

Excess Lactic Acid, These are the Effects on the Body

The Link Between Lactic Acid and Exercise

When exercising, the body needs more oxygen. However, the amount of oxygen is not always sufficient. When this happens, the body will increase 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. However, these conditions can cause certain complaints, such as muscle pain, abdominal pain, and faster breathing. This happens because too much acid builds up in the bloodstream. An increased amount of lactic acid is also more at risk for people who exercise excessively. Apart from exercise, lactic acid can also experience an increase due to certain medical conditions.

Symptoms and Causes of Excess Lactic Acid

When the body is in excess of lactic acid due to exercise , you may feel some symptoms. The following are some of the symptoms of excess lactic acid:

  • Muscle cramps or pain
  • Headaches
  • Weakness
  • Sweating a lot
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  • Heart palpitations

If excess lactic acid occurs due to exercise, these symptoms will generally subside on their own after the body rests and metabolism returns to normal.

However , increased lactic acid can sometimes also be caused by certain medical conditions or diseases. This can cause symptoms of excess lactic acid, even if you are not exercising.

The following are some medical conditions that can cause excess lactic acid:

  • Sepsis
  • Heart attack
  • Respiratory failure
  • Fluid buildup or swelling in the lungs (pulmonary oedema)
  • Heart disease
  • Leukemia
  • Severe dehydration
  • Acidosis

Apart from the conditions above, the body can also experience excess lactic acid due to alcohol poisoning or disturbances in the body's metabolism.

When experiencing certain complaints or medical conditions that can cause the body to have excess lactic acid, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If the excess lactic acid is severe and is not treated immediately, this can

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 oxygen levels in the blood.

Normal lactic acid levels are less than 2 mmol/L. However, this figure is only a reference because a person's normal lactic acid levels can vary.

Before taking a blood test, avoid consuming alcoholic beverages or certain drugs, such as the tuberculosis drug isoniazid.> or the diabetes drug metformin. This is because these drugs can affect the accuracy of the lactic acid level test results.

Treatment for Excess Lactic Acid Due to Exercise

Excess lactic acid due to 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:

  • Consume enough water or electrolyte drinks during and after exercise.
  • Do it moderate exercise, which is about 30 minutes every day or at least 3 times per week.
  • Learn breathing techniques during exercise to help muscles get more oxygen.
  • Warm up and cool down before and after
  • Get enough rest after exercise.

Excess lactic acid due to exercise is not a dangerous thing. However, an increase in the amount of lactic acid in the body can be dangerous if it is caused by certain diseases and occurs for a long time. Therefore, if you do not do strenuous physical activity or exercise but experience symptoms of excess lactic acid , such as weakness, chest palpitations, and muscle pain, immediately consult a doctor. That way, doctors can determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment.

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