Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which the acid level within the blood is higher than normal. By definition, the condition is not due to breathing problems, which is known as respiratory acidosis.
The lungs and kidneys help control the amount of acid in the blood. These two organs work hard to keep a normal level of acid in the blood. Certain non-lung diseases and conditions, when severe, can overwhelm the kidneys. Alternatively, the kidneys themselves may not work. Either of these situations can cause high acid levels in the blood, or metabolic acidosis.
Metabolic acidosis can be caused by many different situations, including:
Other causes are also possible.