| Alcoholic ketoacidosis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Alcoholic ketosis, alcoholic acidosis[1] |
 | |
| It generally occurs in chronic alcoholics or those who binge drink[2] | |
| Specialty | Internal medicine |
| Symptoms | Abdominal pain, vomiting, agitation, fast respiratory rate, specific "fruity" smell[2] |
| Risk factors | Alcoholism, binge drinking[2] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms[2] |
| Differential diagnosis | Other causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis (diabetic ketoacidosis, toxic alcohol ingestion, starvation ketosis), pancreatitis[2][3] |
| Treatment | Intravenous fluids, thiamine[2] |
| Prognosis | Good with treatment[1] |
Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) is a specific group of symptoms and metabolic state related to alcohol use.[3] Symptoms often include abdominal pain, vomiting, agitation, a fast respiratory rate, and a specific "fruity" smell.[2] Consciousness is generally normal.[1] Complications may include sudden death.[1]
AKA most commonly occurs in long term alcoholics and less commonly in those who binge drink.[2] Onset is generally after a decreased ability to eat for a few days.[2] Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms.[2] Blood sugar levels are often normal or only mildly increased.[2] Other conditions that may present similarly include other causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis including diabetic ketoacidosis.[2]
Treatment is generally with intravenous normal saline and intravenous sugar solution.[2] Thiamine and measures to prevent alcohol withdrawal are also recommended.[2] Treatment of low blood potassium may also be required.[2] Those who are affected are most frequently between the ages of 20 and 60.[2] The condition was initially recognized in 1940 and named in 1971.[3]
- ^ a b c d McGuire, LC; Cruickshank, AM; Munro, PT (June 2006). "Alcoholic ketoacidosis". Emergency Medicine Journal. 23 (6): 417–20. doi:10.1136/emj.2004.017590. PMC 2564331. PMID 16714496.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Howard, RD; Bokhari, SRA (January 2019). Alcoholic Ketoacidosis (AKA). PMID 28613672.
- ^ a b c Allison, MG; McCurdy, MT (May 2014). "Alcoholic metabolic emergencies". Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 32 (2): 293–301. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2013.12.002. PMID 24766933.