Alkalosis
Home Remedies Solution on 23rd, 2008 Alkalosis is a condition of excess base or alkali in the body fluids. This is the opposite of excess acid or acidosis, and can be caused by many different conditions. It is also called as a condition reducing hydrogen ion concentration of arterial blood plasma (alkalemia). Generally alkalosis is said to occur when pH of the blood exceeds 7.45.
Two types
Respiratory alkalosis
Metabolic alkalosis
Causes
Metabolic alkalosis develops when the body loses too much acid or gains too much base. When stomach acid is lost during periods of long instance of vomiting. In some cases, metabolic alkalosis develops in a person who ingested higher base amount from substances like baking soda. This kind of alkalosis can develop when excessive loss of sodium or potassium that affects the kidneys’ ability to control the blood’s acid and base balance.
Respiratory alkalosis develops when rapid, deep breathing or hyperventilation which causes too much carbon dioxide to be expelled from the bloodstream. The most common cause of hyperventilation or respiratory alkalosis, is anxiety.
Other causes of hyperventilation and consequent respiratory alkalosis include pain, cirrhosis, low levels of oxygen in the blood, fever, and aspirin overdose which can also cause metabolic acidosis, the lungs and kidneys regulate the acid/base status of the body..
Hypokalemic alkalosis is caused by the kidneys’ reaction to an extreme lack or loss of potassium which may be caused by some diuretic medications.
Compensated alkalosis is caused when the body has partially compensated for alkalosis, returning the acid/base balance to normal, even though bicarbonate and carbon dioxide levels remain abnormal.
Symptoms
Alkalosis may cause the following:
Irritability
Muscle twitching
Muscle cramps
Confusion (may progress to stupor or coma)
Hand tremor
Nausea, vomiting
Numbness or tingling in the face or extremities
Light-headedness
Sometimes no symptoms might occur.
If alkalosis is severe, long instance of contraction and spasms of muscles or tetany can develop.
Treatment
In respiratory alkalosis, the only treatment needed is to slow down the rate of breathing.
If pain is causing the person to breathe rapidly, relieving the pain usually subsides.
If it is caused by anxiety, an effort to slow breathing may make the condition disappear.
Breathing into a paper bag may help to raise the carbon dioxide level in the blood as the person breathes carbon dioxide back in after breathing it out.
Oral Rehydration Salt:
It is an OTC drug and can easily be converted into liquid form to replace water and electrolytes in the body
Cranberry Juice:
Drink everyday in either sweetened with honey or unsweetened
Citrus Fruits:
Eat raw, it can help to balance the base in the blood pH
Preventive Measures
Always ensure that your kidneys are in good conditions,usually those individuals with healthy kidneys and lungs do not significantly experience alkalosis.
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