Alcoholic ketoacidosis

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is the buildup of ketones in the blood due to alcohol use. Ketones are a type of acid that form when the body breaks down fat for energy.

The condition is an acute form of metabolic acidosis, a condition in which there is too much acid in body fluids.

Causes

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is caused by very heavy alcohol use. It most often occurs in a malnourished person who drinks large amounts of alcohol every day.

Symptoms

Symptoms of alcoholic ketoacidosis include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Agitation, confusion

  Agitation

  Agitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.

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  Confusion

  Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...

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• Changed level of alertness, which may lead to coma
• Fatigue, slow movements

  Fatigue

  Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.

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• Deep, labored, rapid breathing

  Rapid breathing

  Hyperventilation is rapid and deep breathing. It is also called overbreathing, and it may leave you feeling breathless.

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• Loss of appetite
• Symptoms of dehydration, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and thirst

  Dehydration

  Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...

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Exams and Tests

Tests may include:

• Arterial blood gases (measures the acid/base balance and oxygen level in blood)

  Blood gases

  Blood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.

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• Blood alcohol level
• Blood chemistries and liver function tests
• CBC (complete blood count), measures red and white blood cells, and platelets, which help blood to clot
• Prothrombin time (PT), measures blood clotting, often abnormal from liver disease
• Toxicology study (checking for other poisons in your body)
• Urine ketones

  Urine ketones

  A ketone urine test measures the amount of ketones in the urine.

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Treatment

Treatment may involve fluids (salt and sugar solution) given through a vein. You may need to have frequent blood tests. You may get vitamin supplements to treat malnutrition caused by excessive alcohol use.

People with this condition are usually admitted to the hospital, often to the intensive care unit (ICU). Alcohol use is stopped to help recovery. Medicines may be given to prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Prompt medical attention improves the overall outlook. How severe the alcohol use is, and the presence of liver disease or other problems, may also affect the outlook.

Possible Complications

This can be a life-threatening condition. Complications may include:

• Coma and seizures
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

  Gastrointestinal bleeding

  Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding refers to any bleeding that starts in the gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding may come from any site along the GI tract, ...

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• Inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis)

  Inflamed pancreas

  Acute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.

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• Pneumonia

  Pneumonia

  Pneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...

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When to Contact a Medical Professional

If you or someone else has symptoms of alcoholic ketoacidosis, seek emergency medical help.

Prevention

Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink will help prevent this condition.