TREATMENTS &
RESEARCH

Search the
latest
treatment
information
here.

Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
 
Next Prev
Diseases » Acidosis » Causes

Causes of Acidosis



Contents

List of causes of Acidosis

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Acidosis) that could possibly cause Acidosis includes:

More causes: see full list of causes for Acidosis

Acidosis as a complication of other conditions:

Other conditions that might have Acidosis as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Acidosis. Our database lists the following as having Acidosis as a complication of that condition:

Acidosis as a symptom:

Conditions listing Acidosis as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Acidosis. Our database lists the following as having Acidosis as a symptom of that condition:

Medications or substances causing Acidosis:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Acidosis as a symptom. This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

  • Bisac-Evac
  • Bisacodyl Uniserts
  • Bisco-Lax
  • Carter’s Little Pills
  • Clysodrast
  • more drugs...»

See full list of 14 medications causing Acidosis


Drug interactions causing Acidosis:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Acidosis as a symptom.

The list below is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

Read more about medication causes of Acidosis

Related information on causes of Acidosis:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Acidosis may be found in:

Causes of Acidosis: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Acidosis.

Metabolic Acidosis: Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

  • Increased anion gap (AG) metabolic acidosis, due to production of exogenous acid “MUDPILES”
  • Methanol
  • Uremia
  • DKA
  • Paraldehyde
  • Ingestions/inborn errors of metabolism
  • Lactic acidosis
  • Ethylene glycol
  • Salicylates
  • Normal anion gap metabolic acidosis, due to bicarbonate loss in the GI tract or kidneys or impaired acid secretion by the kidney
    –Diarrhea, other GI losses (very common)
    –Type I (distal) renal tubular acidosis (RTA): Inability to excrete hydrogen ion, urine pH always high (>6.5), caused by a variety of medications, inherited forms, or renal insufficiency; often associated with low potassium and hypercalciuria
    –Type II (proximal) RTA: Impaired reabsorption of bicarbonate from the proximal tubule, usually associated with other evidence of proximal tubule dysfunction (Fanconi syndrome), such as phosphaturia or glycosuria
    –Type IV (hyperkalemic) RTA: Inadequate aldosterone production or inability to respond appropriately to aldosterone; commonly seen in patients with a history of obstructive uropathy or as a transient occurrence in patients with acute pyelonephritis

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Breath with fruity odor: Medical causes

(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

❑ Anorexia nervosa. Severe weight loss associated with anorexia nervosa may produce fruity breath, usually with nausea, constipation, and cold intolerance as well as dental enamel erosion and scars or calluses in the dorsum of the hand, both related to induced vomiting.

❑ Ketoacidosis. Fruity breath odor accompanies alcoholic ketoacidosis, which is usually seen in poorly nourished alcoholics with vomiting, abdominal pain, and only minimal food intake over several days. Kussmaul's respirations begin abruptly and accompany dehydration, abdominal pain and distention, and absent bowel sounds. Blood glucose levels are normal or slightly decreased.

With diabetic ketoacidosis, fruity breath odor commonly occurs as ketoacidosis develops over 1 to 2 days. Other findings include polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, a weak and rapid pulse, hunger, weight loss, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Eventually, Kussmaul's respirations, orthostatic hypotension, dehydration, tachycardia, confusion, and stupor occur. Signs and symptoms may lead to coma.

Starvation ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening disorder that has a gradual onset. Besides fruity breath odor, typical findings include signs of cachexia and dehydration, a decreased LOC, bradycardia, and a history of severely limited food intake (anorexia nervosa).

Other causes

❑ Drugs. Any drug known to cause metabolic acidosis, such as nitroprusside and salicylates, can result in fruity breath odor.

❑ Low-carbohydrate diets. These diets, which encourage little or no carbohydrate intake, may cause ketoacidosis and the resulting fruity breath odor.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006

Metabolic acidosis: Causes
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Metabolic acidosis usually results from excessive fat burning in the absence of usable carbohydrates. This can be caused by diabetic ketoacidosis, chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, or a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet — all of which produce more keto acids than the metabolic process can handle. Other causes include:

❑ anaerobic carbohydrate metabolism: a decrease in tissue oxygenation or perfusion (as occurs with pump failure after myocardial infarction, or with pulmonary or hepatic disease, shock, or anemia) forces a shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, causing a corresponding rise in lactic acid level

❑ renal insufficiency and failure (renal acidosis): underexcretion of metabolized acids or inability to conserve base

❑ diarrhea and intestinal malabsorption: loss of sodium bicarbonate from the intestines, causing the bicarbonate buffer system to shift to the acidic side. For example, ureteroenterostomy and Crohn’s disease can also induce metabolic acidosis.

Less frequently, metabolic acidosis results from salicylate intoxication (overuse of aspirin), exogenous poisoning, or Addison’s disease with an increased excretion of sodium and chloride, and retention of potassium ions.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Renal tubular acidosis: Causes
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Metabolic acidosis usually results from renal excretion of bicarbonate. However, metabolic acidosis associated with RTA results from a defect in the kidneys’normal tubular acidification of urine.

Distal RTA results from an inability of the distal tubule to secrete hydrogen ions against established gradients across the tubular membrane. This results in decreased excretion of titratable acids and ammonium, increased loss of potassium and bicarbonate in the urine, and systemic acidosis. Prolonged acidosis causes mobilization of calcium from bone and, eventually, hypercalciuria, predisposing the kidney to the formation of renal calculi. Distal RTA may be classified as primary or secondary.

❑ Primary distal RTA may occur sporadically or through a hereditary defect and is most prevalent in females, older children, adolescents, and young adults.

❑ Secondary distal RTA has been linked to many renal or systemic conditions, such as starvation, malnutrition, hepatic cirrhosis, and several genetically transmitted disorders.

Proximal RTA results from defective reabsorption of bicarbonate in the proximal tubule. This causes bicarbonate to flood the distal tubule, which normally secretes hydrogen ions, and leads to impaired formation of titratable acids and ammonium for excretion. Ultimately, metabolic acidosis results. Proximal RTA occurs in two forms:

❑ In primary proximal RTA, the reabsorptive defect is idiopathic and is the only disorder present.

❑ In secondary proximal RTA, the reabsorptive defect may be one of several defects and is due to proximal tubular cell damage from a disease such as Fanconi’s syndrome.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Breath with fruity odor: Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

Anorexia nervosa

Severe weight loss associated with anorexia nervosa may produce fruity breath odor, usually with nausea, constipation, and cold intolerance. Induced vomiting may cause dental enamel erosion and scars or calluses in the dorsum of the hand.

Ketoacidosis

Fruity breath odor accompanies alcoholic ketoacidosis, which is usually seen in poorly nourished alcoholics with a history of vomiting, abdominal pain, and only minimal food intake over several days. Kussmaul’s respirations begin abruptly and accompany dehydration, abdominal pain and distention, and absent bowel sounds. Blood glucose levels are normal or slightly decreased.

In diabetic ketoacidosis, fruity breath odor commonly acompanies the development of ketoacidosis over 1 to 2 days. Other findings include polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, weak and rapid pulse, hunger, weight loss, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Eventually, Kussmaul’s respirations, orthostatic hypotension, dehydration, tachycardia, confusion, and stupor occur. Signs and symptoms may lead to coma.

Starvation ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening disorder that has a gradual onset. Besides fruity breath odor, typical findings include signs of cachexia and dehydration, decreased LOC, bradycardia, and a history of anorexia nervosa.

Other causes

Drugs

Any drug known to cause metabolic acidosis, such as nitroprusside and salicylates, can result in fruity breath odor.

Low-carbohydrate diets

Diets that promote little or no carbohydrate intake may cause ketoacidosis and the resulting fruity breath odor.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006

Renal tubular acidosis: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Metabolic acidosis usually results from renal excretion of bicarbonate. However, metabolic acidosis associated with RTA results from a defect in the kidneys’normal tubular acidification of urine.

Distal RTA

Type I RTA results from an inability of the distal tubule to secrete hydrogen ions against established gradients across the tubular membrane. This results in decreased excretion of titratable acids and ammonium, increased loss of potassium and bicarbonate in the urine, and systemic acidosis.

Prolonged acidosis causes mobilization of calcium from bone and eventually hypercalciuria, predisposing the patient to the formation of renal calculi.

Distal RTA may be classified as primary or secondary:

❑ Primary distal RTA may occur sporadically or through a hereditary defect and is most prevalent in females, older children, adolescents, and young adults.

❑ Secondary distal RTA has been linked to many renal and systemic conditions, such as starvation, malnutrition, hepatic cirrhosis, and several genetically transmitted disorders.

Proximal RTA

Type II RTA results from defective reabsorption of bicarbonate in the proximal tubule. This causes bicarbonate to flood the distal tubule, which normally secretes hydrogen ions, and leads to impaired formation of titratable acids and ammonium for excretion. Ultimately, metabolic acidosis results.

Proximal RTA occurs in two forms:

❑ With primary proximal RTA, the reabsorptive defect is idiopathic and is the only disorder present.

❑ With secondary proximal RTA, the reabsorptive defect may be one of several defects and results from proximal tubular cell damage from a disease such as Fanconi’s syndrome.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Respiratory acidosis: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Respiratory acidosis can result from airway obstruction or parenchymal lung disease, which interferes with alveolar ventilation, or from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, severe adult respiratory distress syndrome, chronic bronchitis, large pneumothorax, extensive pneumonia, or pulmonary edema.

Hypoventilation compromises excretion of carbon dioxide produced through metabolism. The retained carbon dioxide then combines with water to form an excess of carbonic acid, decreasing the blood pH. As a result, the concentration of hydrogen ions in body fluids, which directly reflects acidity, increases.

In addition, several factors predispose the patient to respiratory acidosis:

❑ Drugs: Narcotics, anesthetics, hypnotics, and sedatives decrease the sensitivity of the respiratory center.

❑ Central nervous system (CNS) trauma: Medullary injury may impair ventilatory drive.

❑ Chronic metabolic alkalosis: Respiratory compensatory mechanisms attempt to normalize pH by decreasing alveolar ventilation.

❑ Neuromuscular disease (such as myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and poliomyelitis): Failure of respiratory muscles to respond properly to respiratory drive reduces alveolar ventilation.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Breath odor, fruity: Medical causes
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)

Anorexia nervosa

. Severe weight loss associated with anorexia nervosa may produce fruity breath, usually with nausea, constipation, and cold intolerance as well as dental enamel erosion and scars or calluses in the dorsum of the hand, related to induced vomiting.

Ketoacidosis

Fruity breath odor accompanies alcoholic ketoacidosis, which is usually seen in poorly nourished alcoholics with vomiting, abdominal pain, and only minimal food intake over several days. Kussmaul’s respirations begin abruptly and accompany dehydration, abdominal pain and distention, and absent bowel sounds. Blood glucose levels are normal or slightly decreased.

With DKA, fruity breath odor commonly occurs as ketoacidosis develops over 1 to 2 days. Other findings include polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, weak and rapid pulse, hunger, weight loss, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Eventually, Kussmaul’s respirations, orthostatic hypotension, dehydration, tachycardia, confusion, and stupor occur. Signs and symptoms may lead to coma.

Starvation ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening disorder that has a gradual onset. Besides fruity breath odor, typical findings include signs of cachexia and dehydration, decreased LOC, bradycardia, and a history of severely limited food intake (anorexia nervosa).

Other causes

Drugs

Any drug known to cause metabolic acidosis, such as nitroprusside and salicylates, can result in fruity breath odor.

Low-carbohydrate diets

Low-carbohydrate diets, which encourage little or no carbohydrate intake, may cause ketoacidosis and the resulting fruity breath odor.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series, 2007

Breath with fruity odor: Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

Anorexia nervosa

Severe weight loss associated with anorexia nervosa may produce fruity breath, usually with nausea, constipation, and cold intolerance as well as dental enamel erosion and scars or calluses in the dorsum of the hand, both related to induced vomiting.

Ketoacidosis

Fruity breath odor accompanies alcoholic ketoacidosis, which is usually seen in poorly nourished alcoholics with vomiting, abdominal pain, and only minimal food intake over several days. Kussmaul’s respirations begin abruptly and accompany dehydration, abdominal pain and distention, and absent bowel sounds. Blood glucose levels are normal or slightly decreased.

With diabetic ketoacidosis, fruity breath odor commonly occurs as ketoacidosis develops over 1 to 2 days. Other findings include polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, weak and rapid pulse, hunger, weight loss, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Eventually, Kussmaul’s respirations, orthostatic hypotension, dehydration, tachycardia, confusion, stupor, and coma may occur.

Starvation ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening disorder that has a gradual onset. Besides fruity breath odor, typical findings include signs of cachexia and dehydration, decreased level of consciousness, bradycardia, and a history of severely limited food intake (anorexia nervosa).

Other causes

Drugs

Any drug known to cause metabolic acidosis, such as nitroprusside and salicylates, can result in fruity breath odor.

Low-carbohydrate diets

Low-carbohydrate diets, which encourage little or no carbohydrate intake, may cause ketoacidosis and a resulting fruity breath odor.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007

Breath with fruity odor: Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

Anorexia nervosa.Severe weight loss associated with anorexia nervosa may produce fruity breath, usually with nausea, constipation, and cold intolerance as well as dental enamel erosion and scars or calluses in the dorsum of the hand, both related to induced vomiting.

Ketoacidosis.Fruity breath odor accompanies alcoholic ketoacidosis, which is usually seen in poorly nourished alcoholics with vomiting, abdominal pain, and only minimal food intake over several days. Kussmaul's respirations begin abruptly and accompany dehydration, abdominal pain and distention, and absent bowel sounds. Blood glucose levels are normal or slightly decreased.

With diabetic ketoacidosis, fruity breath odor commonly occurs as ketoacidosis develops over 1 or 2 days. Other findings include polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, a weak and rapid pulse, hunger, weight loss, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Eventually, Kussmaul's respirations, orthostatic hypotension, dehydration, tachycardia, confusion, and stupor occur. Signs and symptoms may lead to coma.

Starvation ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening disorder that has a gradual onset. Besides fruity breath odor, typical findings include signs of cachexia and dehydration, a decreased LOC, bradycardia, and a history of severely limited food intake.

Other causes

Drugs.Any drug known to cause metabolic acidosis, such as nitroprusside and salicylates, can result in fruity breath odor.

Low-carbohydrate diets.These diets, which encourage little or no carbohydrate intake, may cause ketoacidosis and the resulting fruity breath odor.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007


 » Next page: Symptoms of Acidosis

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:


Next articles:

Tools & Services:

Medical Articles:

Forums & Message Boards
Next Prev
homepage | back to top

Common Health Mistakes

Research
mistakes, errors,
and misdiagnosis
of major diseases.
 
 

Symptom
Checker

Check one
or many
symptoms
 

Search Specialists by State and City

 
By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.
Home | Symptoms | Diseases | Diagnosis | Videos | Tools | Forum | About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Advertise
Copyright © 2009 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 1 July, 2009 (18:05)
We subscribe to the HONcode principles