MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Respiratory alkalosis

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Respiratory alkalosis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms	Signs and tests Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider

Illustrations

Respiratory system

Alternative names Return to top

Alkalosis - respiratory

Definition Return to top

Respiratory alkalosis is a condition of excessive alkalinity of the body fluids, most often associated with respiratory (breathing) disorders. The pH (a measure of acidity) is high and carbon dioxide levels are low.

Common causes include hyperventilation (increased rate of breathing), anxiety, and fever. The symptoms may include light-headedness, dizziness, and numbness of the hands and feet.

Treatment of alkalosis includes removal of the cause. Breathing into a paper bag -- or use of a mask that causes re-breathing of carbon dioxide -- helps reduce symptoms in some cases.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Any lung disease that leads to shortness of breath may result in respiratory alkalosis. Fever and anxiety are also common causes of hyperventilation.

Symptoms Return to top

Light-headedness
Numbness

Signs and tests Return to top

Arterial blood gas
Chest x-ray or pulmonary function test

Treatment Return to top

Treatment is aimed at the condition that causes hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis. Life-threatening respiratory alkalosis is very rare.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The prognosis is based on the condition that causes the respiratory alkalosis.

Complications Return to top

Seizures may occur if the alkalosis is extremely severe. This is very rare.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of lung disease, such as chronic cough or shortness of breath.

Update Date: 1/27/2004

Updated by: Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University Hospital, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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