Learn About Respiratory Alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis is a condition marked by a low level of carbon dioxide in the blood due to breathing excessively.
Alkalosis - respiratory
Common causes include:
- Anxiety or panic
- Fever
- Overbreathing (hyperventilation)
- Pregnancy (this is normal)
- Pain
- Tumor
- Trauma
- Severe anemia
- Liver disease
- Central nervous system (brain) abnormalities
- Overdose of certain medicines, such as salicylates, progesterone
Any lung disease that leads to shortness of breath can also cause respiratory alkalosis (such as pulmonary embolism and asthma).
The symptoms may include:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Numbness of the hands and feet
- Breathlessness
- Confusion
- Chest discomfort
Treatment is aimed at the condition that causes respiratory alkalosis. Breathing into a paper bag -- or using a mask that causes you to re-breathe carbon dioxide -- sometimes helps reduce symptoms when anxiety is the main cause of the condition. However, this method has recently been questioned by experts, especially when there is actual lung disease not just anxiety or a panic attack causing the respiratory alkalosis. Ask your provider what approach is best for you.
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Philippe Haouzi is a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Haouzi is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Respiratory Alkalosis. His top areas of expertise are Respiratory Alkalosis, Cerebral Hypoxia, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, and Pneumonia.
Naoto Fujii practices in Tsukuba, Japan. Mr. Fujii is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Respiratory Alkalosis. His top areas of expertise are Hyperventilation, Respiratory Alkalosis, Vasoconstriction, and Low Blood Pressure.
Marco Marano practices in Rome, Italy. Mr. Marano is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Respiratory Alkalosis. His top areas of expertise are Respiratory Alkalosis, Metabolic Acidosis, Respiratory Acidosis, and Heart Block.
The outlook depends on the condition that is causing the respiratory alkalosis.
Seizures may occur if the alkalosis is extremely severe. This is very rare and more likely to happen if the alkalosis is due to increased ventilation from a breathing machine.
Contact your provider if you have any symptoms of lung disease, such as long-term (chronic) cough or shortness of breath.
Summary: Purpose of the Research: The primary aim of the proposed study is to conduct a randomized parallel-group 2-arm clinical trial investigating capnometry-guided respiratory intervention (CGRI) for pathological anxiety. CGRI aims to raise end-tidal CO2 levels thereby lowering hyperventilation-induced respiratory alkalosis and its associated fear-eliciting somatic reactions. Psycho-education about anxi...
Summary: Pressure support ventilation (PSV) is one of the most frequently used ventilator modes in the intensive care unit (ICU). The successful implementation of PSV depends on matching the patient's inspiratory effort with the ventilator support. In clinical practice, the pressure support level is usually set and adjusted according to tidal volume (VT) and respiratory rate (RR). However, these parameters...
Published Date: August 19, 2024
Published By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Seifter JL. Acid-base disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 104.