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
- 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.
UAB Medicine
University Of Alabama Health Services Foundation,pc
Arun Rajasekaran is a Nephrologist in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Rajasekaran has been practicing medicine for over 11 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Respiratory Alkalosis. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Respiratory Alkalosis, Hypercalcemia, Milk-Alkali Syndrome, and Minimal Change Disease. He is board certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine and licensed to treat patients in Alabama. Dr. Rajasekaran is currently accepting new patients.
UAB Medicine
University Of Alabama Health Services Foundation,pc
Ashita Tolwani is a Nephrologist in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Tolwani has been practicing medicine for over 28 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Respiratory Alkalosis. She is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Respiratory Alkalosis, Acute Kidney Failure, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Necrosis. She is board certified in Nephrology and licensed to treat patients in Alabama. Dr. Tolwani is currently accepting new patients.
University Of Tsukuba
Naoto Fujii is in Tsukuba, Japan. Fujii is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Respiratory Alkalosis. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Respiratory Alkalosis, Hyperventilation, Vasoconstriction, and Fainting.
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.
Call your provider if you have any symptoms of lung disease, such as long-term (chronic) cough or shortness of breath.
Published Date : August 03, 2020
Published By : Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, 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, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 110.
Strayer RJ. Acid-base disorders. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 116.