Lactic acid is always present in the human body, as the number of beds is a product of glycolysis - breakdown of glucose to form lactic acid and a source of energy - ATP. By the number of lactic acid in the blood can be judged on the state of human health, the presence of his certain diseases.

What is lactic acid, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis

Dairy (alpha-lactic acid) - a representative of the carboxylic acids. It is formed in the human body as a result of glycolysis. First, lactic acid was detected in the muscle of animals, it was later found in the seeds of plants. Lactic acid is a product of the anaerobic metabolism of many (developing without air) microorganisms.

Glycolysis is a complex enzymatic process of converting glucose Glucose: The energy source It is occurring in animal and human tissues and no consumption of oxygen leads to the formation of lactic acid and ATP. As a result of glycolysis tissue cells of the human body and animals can produce energy even in low oxygen. As the energetic material used lactic acid itself - for this purpose it is absorbed by the heart muscle (myocardium).

Glycolysis is an irreversible process. The most intense glycolysis in skeletal muscle, liver, myocardium, brain and other organs. From one molecule of glucose into glycolysis resulting complete formation of two molecules of ATP, i.e. glycolysis energy efficiency is low. But the role of glycolysis is measured by the fact that because of it the body can carry out a number of physiological functions in low oxygen. Such conditions, for example, created in intense working skeletal muscle. The presence of oxygen inhibits glycolysis.

Glycolysis takes place in the heart muscle, and its products (eg, lactic acid) are used for myocardial metabolism. In conditions of oxygen deficiency (angina, myocardial infarction) glycolysis assumes a greater role.

Lactic acid is used in the body and for the return of glycolysis or gluconeogenesis therefrom when exposed to enzymes in biochemical reactions, a result of glucose. This process proceeds rapidly in the liver, which in large quantities via bloodstream lactic acid. Energy for this process is also formed in the liver as a result of total oxidation of some parts of lactic acid.

Diagnostic value of lactic acid

Lactic acid - a measure of carbohydrate metabolism, which reflects the degree of saturation of the muscles and tissues of oxygen. The content of lactic acid in the blood can be an additional diagnostic indicator. Thus, in various diseases has been accompanied by muscle contractions (e.g., in seizures of various origin), usually the concentration of lactic acid in the blood (normal level of lactic acid in the blood is 0, 6-1, 3 mmol / l).

The amount of lactic acid in the blood also increases during hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the tissues). This condition occurs, for example, cardiac or pulmonary disease or anemia Anemia - when you do not have enough blood   - Diseases in which oxygen is supplied to the tissues in insufficient quantities.

The rapid glycolysis occurs in cancers, where it is the major source of energy, however in malignant tumors always increases the content of lactic acid in the blood.

A large number of lactic acid in the blood is also a sign of serious liver disease - hepatitis and cirrhosis, as well as signs of poisoning with damage to the liver cells. This is due to the fact that the reduced ability to liver gluconeogenesis - formation of glycogen from glucose and lactic acid. Increases the content of lactic acid and decompensated diabetes Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease .

Generally, increasing the concentration of lactic acid in the blood is accompanied by a decrease in the alkali reserve and increase in the number of blood ammonia. This condition is called acidosis, and leads to respiratory problems, weakness of the muscles and nervous and mental disorders.

The use of lactic acid

Pairs of lactic acid have antibacterial properties, e.g., with respect to the hemolytic streptococci and staphylococci, however, they are used in medicine for bacterial purity treatment rooms and hospital wards. Lactic acid is also used as a caustic agent.

Lactic acid is used and the food industry - it improves the taste of foods. The fungicidal composition (antifungal) preparations that are processed in the textile fabric also includes lactic acid.

Lactic acid - a source of energy and metabolic control Metabolism: The basis of life of all living things   in human tissues.

Galina Romanenko

Heart failure - a disorder in which the heart can not pump enough blood to provide all the needs of the body. Over time violations such as narrowing of the arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) or high blood pressure cause a weakening of the heart muscle.

Although many disorders that lead to heart failure, are irreversible, treatment can give good results. Medication can significantly alleviate the signs and symptoms of heart failure. Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, reducing the amount of salt in your diet, stress management skills mastery Stress Management: everything under control Treatment of depression Treatment of depression - pills needed And particularly, the removal of excess weight, may improve the quality of life of the patients with this disorder.

Symptoms

Heart failure can be acute or chronic.

Symptoms of chronic heart failure:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea), usually during exercise
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling of the feet
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Unusual fatigue during exercise
• Persistent cough, coughing up white or pinkish sputum by coughing
• Swelling of the abdomen (ascites)
• Sudden weight gain due to fluid retention
• Lack of appetite and nausea
• Poor concentration

The symptoms of acute heart failure:

• Symptoms are similar to symptoms of chronic heart failure, but appears suddenly and sharply deteriorating
• The sudden formation of edema
• Palpitation
• Severe shortness of breath and coughing pinkish, frothy mucus
• Chest pain, if the cause of heart failure is a heart attack Heart disease and heart attacks: that every woman should know

It is necessary to contact the doctor if you have any signs of heart failure.

Causes

Heart failure often develops as a consequence of other disorders that cause damage to or weakening of the heart muscle. Because of this, the ventricles of the heart become tighter - worse reduced and insufficiently filled in the gaps between heartbeats. The heart muscle may be weakened so that it would be unable to provide a sufficient amount of blood, and therefore oxygen, and some authorities. To indicate this state the term "congestive heart failure" - is characterized by a stagnation of blood in the liver, abdomen, lower limbs and lungs.

Heart failure may involve the left, right, or both sides of the heart. Generally, disorders related to heart failure, begin to appear on the left side - especially often in the left ventricle.

Any of the following disorders can damage or weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure. Some of them may for a long time does not cause any symptoms.

Coronary heart disease and heart attack. Coronary heart disease is one of the most common diseases of the heart and is often the cause of heart failure. Over time, the arteries that supply blood to the heart are narrowed due to fatty deposits - a process called atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis - a chronic disease of the arteries . Due to the slow progress of blood through narrowed arteries certain areas of the heart muscle is constantly experiencing a shortage of oxygen. In some cases the blood flow sufficient to maintain a living heart muscle, but not in order to maintain its normal operation. Heart attack develops when fatty deposits are separated by sufficiently large fatty plaques. It causes life-threatening conditions of the patient.

High blood pressure (hypertension) increases the load on the heart. Eventually, the heart muscle may become too stiff or too weak to continue to effectively pump blood.