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.
Acute
Acute means sudden. Acute symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is the opposite of chronic.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleMetabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleCauses
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.
Malnourished
Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSymptoms
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.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleConfusion
Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Changed level of alertness, which may lead to coma
- Fatigue, slow movements
Fatigue
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Deep, labored, rapid breathing
Rapid breathing
Hyperventilation is rapid and deep breathing. It is also called overbreathing, and it may leave you feeling breathless.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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.
Alcohol withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal refers to symptoms that may occur when a person who has been drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis suddenly stops drinking ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleOutlook (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, ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis)
Inflamed pancreas
Acute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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.
Reviewed By
Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Finnell JT. Alcohol-related disease. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 137.
O'Connor PG. Alcohol use disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 30.