Aspirin Poisoning
Aspirin has a wide variety of uses. It is an anti-inflammatory drug, a pain reliever, and a fever reducer. Aspirin is also an anticoagulant, which means it prevents blood clots. Unfortunately, aspirin also has the potential to be very dangerous if it is not used properly.
One of the serious complications that can result from aspirin poisoning is metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an imbalance in the body’s pH levels. The pH level is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. The pH level of the human body is normally between 7.35 and 7.45. When the pH level drops below 7.35, this is considered metabolic acidosis.
Many different things can cause metabolic acidosis, but aspirin poisoning is caused by an accumulation of lactic acid in the bloodstream. This happens because when cells are deprived of oxygen, they produce lactic acid to generate energy. Lactic acid accumulates in the bloodstream faster than in the liver and increasing acidity levels can eliminate it. Symptoms of metabolic acidosis include fast breathing, slow heartbeat, fatigue, weakness, confusion, irritability, sleepiness, headache, and seizures.
