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Warning-sign checks

Metabolic acidosis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for:

    • Rapid, deep, or laboured breathing
    • New confusion, extreme drowsiness, collapse, or loss of consciousness
    • Suspected ingestion of antifreeze, methanol, or another toxic substance
    • Severe illness with breathing difficulty, very low blood pressure symptoms, or rapidly worsening weakness
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    People with diabetes need urgent assessment for vomiting, abdominal pain, deep breathing, confusion, or high glucose with raised ketones.

    These can be signs of diabetic ketoacidosis.

    Seek prompt medical advice for persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, reduced urine output, worsening weakness, or inability to keep fluids down.

    A low bicarbonate or total carbon dioxide result also needs timely review, especially if it is new or accompanied by symptoms.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate for stable chronic acidosis when you feel well and have an established monitoring plan.

    Attend scheduled blood tests and arrange an earlier review if symptoms change or prescribed treatment becomes difficult to take.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Metabolic acidosis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.