Health Care Encyclopedia
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Alcoholic ketoacidosisDefinition: Alcoholic ketoacidosis is an accumulation of ketones (a type of acid) in the blood, caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Alternative Names: Ketoacidosis - alcoholic
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: This disorder can be a complication of alcohol use, especially excessive alcohol use.
Symptoms: - Fatigue
- Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
- Breathing difficulty leading, when untreated, to an abnormal breathing pattern
- Irregular deep, rapid breathing (Kussmaul's sign)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Symptoms of dehydration, such as dizziness and light-headedness
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Changes in mental activity leading to loss of consciousness
Signs and tests: - Blood and urine tests for excess acids, or ketones, in the body
- Blood chemistry tests
- Tests to quantify the amount of alcohol in the blood
Treatment: Treatment in the hospital with intravenous fluids and frequent blood draws may be necessary to reverse the acidosis. Occasionally patients require intensive care unit stays.
Expectations (prognosis): Prompt medical attention improves the overall prognosis of this condition.
Complications: This can be a life-threatening disorder.
Calling your health care provider: If you or�someone else experience�symptoms of alcoholic ketoacidosis, seek medical attention from an emergency department.
Prevention: Limit alcohol consumption to moderate levels.
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| Review Date: 6/3/2005
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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