what is lactic acid
lactic acid fermentation| fermentation| lactic acid bacteria| lactic acid muscles
Lactic acid is produced in different tissues of the body when oxygen lacks. This is especially the case when practicing physical activity. Its dosage is a blood test is prescribed for detecting any lactic acidosis.
What is lactic acid?
Lactic acid is a substance produced by red blood cells, muscle cells, kidneys, skin cells, but also those of the heart, during the anaerobic degradation of glucose. This is a chemical process occurring when oxygen is lacking and it does not completely metabolize glucose. This is for example what happens during a myocardial infarction or a muscular exercise too intense.
Note that under aerobic conditions, ie in the presence of oxygen, the final products of the use of glucose are not lactic acid but water and carbon dioxide.
Lactic acid and sport
When practicing physical activity, the body needs more oxygen than what it cannot produce by so-called aerobic processes. So he puts in place anaerobic processes to produce energy. And lactic acid is the product of these chemical reactions.
Most of the lactic acid thus produced in the muscle cells pass into the bloodstream and is removed from the muscle tissue within 30 minutes of stopping physical activity. Other tissues, such as the liver, kidneys or hearts, capture lactic acid and use it as a source of energy.
What is the use of analysis?
The physician prescribes an analysis of lactic acid to assess the state of oxidation of the tissues and to detect any lactic acidosis. It is a disorder of the acid-base balance of the body caused by an excess of lactic acid.
Certain symptoms are characteristic of this attack. These include:
decreased blood volume (hypovolemia);
a state of shock;
deep and rapid breathing (hyperventilation);
pains that are generally diffuse;
muscle cramps;
or nausea and vomiting.
How to interpret the results?
The normal values of lactic acid in the venous blood range from 4.5 to 19.8 mg/dl.
Note that these reference values may change slightly depending on the laboratory medical analysis that performs the tests and the techniques they use.
When the values obtained are not included in this value range, this means that the tissues do not receive enough oxygen.
A higher concentration of lactic acid may be a sign of:
liver disease;
respiratory, renal or ventricular insufficiency;
cardiac arrest ;
severe infection affecting the body as a whole (sepsis);
a hypoxia, ie a low level of oxygen in the blood;
alcohol intoxication;
leukemia ;
or diabetes.
what is lactic acid
lactic acid fermentation| fermentation| lactic acid bacteria| lactic acid muscles
How does the analysis work?
The examination consists of venous blood sampling, usually at the elbow crease.
It is advisable not to do physical exercise before doing the analysis, and to be fasting. The best option is even to take the sample after an elongated rest of about 15 minutes.
What are the factors of variation?
In the case of lactic acidosis, ie an excess of lactic acid in the body which accumulates faster than it cannot be metabolized, the treatment consists of artificial ventilation and an infusion of bicarbonates.
In the particular case of physical exercise, it is possible to slow down the accumulation of lactic acid by hydrating properly (it is advisable to drink water before, during and after training).
It should be noted that taking certain medicines can be the cause of the occurrence of metabolic acidosis. It is therefore essential to inform the doctor about your treatments, to show him your recent prescriptions.
what is lactic acid- lactic acid fermentation| fermentation| lactic acid bacteria| lactic acid muscles