Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) is a potentially fatal condition caused by excessive alcohol consumption, leading to an increase in ketones in the bloodstream. It is most common in those with a history of alcoholism, but even inexperienced drinkers could develop it. Symptoms include stomach pain, fatigue, and dehydration, and anyone showing signs should seek emergency medical treatment. Treatment involves administering intravenous salts and sugar, monitoring blood composition, and enrolling in an alcoholism recovery program.
Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) is a condition developed by people who have drunk alcoholic beverages in excess. AKA results in an increase in ketones, or a type of acid emitted by the body after it breaks down fats, in a person’s bloodstream. The condition is most common in adults who have a history of alcoholism, but those with little drinking experience could also develop the condition. Anyone showing symptoms of AKA should see a doctor right away, because the condition is potentially fatal.
If a person who has consumed large amounts of alcohol does not get sufficient nutrition from a balanced diet, the acid levels in the blood could rise, causing some health problems. Drinking alcohol only in moderation, as well as eating food while drinking alcohol, can help reduce the likelihood that a person who has been drinking will develop alcoholic ketoacidosis. When the body breaks down fat cells after they’ve been consumed, the process creates acids called ketones. During alcoholic ketoacidosis, the hydrogen potency (pH) balance of the blood decreases as the amount of acid increases dramatically.
People who have a history of alcohol abuse are more likely to develop alcoholic ketoacidosis. When an alcoholic person consumes large amounts of alcohol each day and does not eat enough food, the person’s ketone production eventually increases significantly. Alcoholics aren’t the only people who could develop alcoholic ketoacidosis, because even inexperienced drinkers could suffer from the condition after binge drinking.
Symptoms of alcoholic ketoacidosis, especially less severe ones, could be mistaken for other medical conditions, such as the stomach flu or indigestion. Some less serious symptoms of AKA include stomach pain, general fatigue, and little or no desire to eat. More serious symptoms may include repeated nausea or vomiting, dehydration, and the person becoming less alert or even losing consciousness for a period of time.
When a person develops symptoms of AKA, they should seek emergency medical treatment as soon as possible. AKA can be fatal if not treated by a doctor, with the patient often ending up in the intensive care unit of a hospital. Doctors might administer intravenous salts and sugar in an attempt to counteract the effects of the AKA. The hospital closely monitors the patient’s blood composition, especially ketone levels, to monitor if the patient is showing any signs of improvement. Long-term treatment of AKA might also involve the physician making sure the patient enrolls in an alcoholism recovery program after being discharged from the hospital.
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