Respiratory alkalosis. What is respiratory alkalosis and how to treat it

Definition. Respiratory alkalosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in blood pCO 2 and an increase in blood pH.

Pathophysiology. If effective alveolar ventilation is increased beyond the limits required to remove the daily CO 2 load due to an increase in respiratory rate or inspired air volume, the result will be a decrease in pCO 2 and an increase in systemic pH. A decrease in pCO 2 (hypocapnia) can develop as a result of both physiological and non-physiological stimulation of breathing. If ventilation is not restored, the increase in systemic pH due to a fall in pCO 2 is minimized by a decrease in plasma bicarbonate concentration. Bicarbonate concentrations decrease as a result of extrarenal mechanisms, primarily titration with intracellular nonbicarbonate buffers. HCO 3 - plasma drops by 0.2 mmol/l for every 1 mmHg. reducing pCO 2. The initial response to hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis is the release of H+ from the cells into the extracellular fluid, where it combines with bicarbonate, causing a decrease in its concentration. These hydrogen ions come from cellular buffers, as well as from the increased production of lactic acid that occurs under the influence of alkalosis in cells. Renal mechanisms begin to act after 2-3 days. H + secretion decreases, which leads to a decrease in ammonia secretion and inhibition of HCO 3 - reabsorption.

Etiology. The causes of respiratory alkalosis are any disorders associated with an inadequate increase in respiratory rate and excessive elimination of carbon dioxide through the lungs.

Causes of respiratory alkalosis.

A. Hyperventilation syndrome

B. Pathology of the central nervous system

1. Tumor

2. Infections

4. Stroke

B. Hypoxia

1. Bronchiolospasm

2. Heart failure

3. Altitude sickness

4. Pneumonia

5. Pulmonary embolism

6. Interstitial lung diseases

D. Medicines

1. Catecholamines

2. Progestins

3. Salicylates

D. Pregnancy

E. Pain

G. Hyperthyroidism

H. Liver disease (liver failure)

I. Inflammation.

K. Obstruction of the ventilation apparatus.

Clinical manifestations of respiratory alkalosis begin with headaches and anxiety, which can progress to severe lethargy and precoma. Neuromuscular disorders such as convulsions, paresthesia with the possible development of tetany are associated.

Diagnostics. Diagnosis of acute respiratory alkalosis. An increase in breathing rate causes the loss of carbon dioxide through the lungs, which in turn causes an increase in blood pH. With an acute decrease in blood pCO 2 for every 10 mm Hg, the plasma bicarbonate level decreases by 2 mEq/L, and blood pH increases by 0.08. Serum chloride levels are elevated.

Diagnosis of chronic respiratory alkalosis. Within several hours after an acute decrease in arterial blood pCO 2, the secretion of hydrogen ion in the distal part of the nephron decreases, which leads to a decrease in plasma bicarbonate levels. With a chronic decrease in blood pCO 2 for every 10 mm Hg. the plasma bicarbonate level decreases by 5-6 mEq/L, and the blood pH increases only by 0.02. Serum chloride levels also increase.

Treatment

For the treatment of respiratory alkalosis, treatment of the underlying disease is sufficient. At pH levels greater than 7.6, it may be necessary to use carbon dioxide-enriched breathing mixtures or controlled breathing.

Respiratory alkalosis (reduced concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood) is usually a consequence of hyperventilation, which leads to excessive excretion of CO2.

The increase in blood pH is limited by a compensatory metabolic reaction: the release of hydrogen ions from non-bicarbonate buffer systems develops in just a few minutes.

A low Pco2 value does not always indicate respiratory alkalosis. A decrease in this indicator also occurs due to adequate respiratory compensation. In patients with acidemia and low Pco2, even with persistent respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis predominates. In contrast, patients with alkalemia and low Pco2 always have respiratory alkalosis. When metabolic alkalosis is combined with respiratory alkalosis, Pco2 may be normal, since adequate respiratory compensation of metabolic alkalosis increases this indicator.

Etiology and pathophysiology

Increased breathing can have various causes. Hypoxemia or tissue hypoxia stimulates peripheral chemoreceptors, which send activating impulses to the respiratory center. Increased breathing leads to an increase in oxygen content in the blood, but Pco2 decreases. Hypoxemia begins to stimulate respiration when blood oxygen saturation drops to approximately 90% (Po2 60 mmHg). The deeper the hypoxemia, the more pronounced the hyperventilation. Acute hypoxia stimulates breathing more than chronic hypoxia. Therefore, in chronic hypoxia (for example, in patients with cyanotic heart defects), alkalosis is much less pronounced than in acute hypoxia of the same degree. Hypoxemia or tissue hypoxia occurs due to a variety of causes, including pulmonary disease, severe and carbon monoxide poisoning.

The lungs contain chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors, which, when irritated and stretched, send impulses to the respiratory center, from where a signal is received to increase breathing. During aspiration of foreign bodies or pneumonia, for example, chemoreceptors are stimulated; in the case of lungs, mechanoreceptors are stimulated. Most conditions in which these receptors are activated are accompanied by hypoxemia, which also causes hyperventilation. With primary pulmonary pathology, respiratory alkalosis may initially develop, worsening the patient’s condition, but its combination with weakness of the respiratory muscles often leads to weakened breathing and the development of respiratory acidosis.

Direct irritation of the respiratory center causes hyperventilation even in the absence of pulmonary pathology. This is observed, for example, with meningitis, hemorrhages and injuries to the central nervous system. With heart attacks or tumors localized near the respiratory center of the midbrain, both the frequency and depth of breathing increases. Such changes in breathing predict an unfavorable outcome; lesions of the midbrain are often fatal. Central hyperventilation can also be caused by systemic diseases. The mechanisms by which liver pathology leads to this pH imbalance are not entirely clear, but the severity of alkalosis in such cases is usually proportional to the degree of liver failure. Chronic alkalosis that develops during pregnancy is probably due to the effect of progesterone on the respiratory center. Salicylates directly stimulate the respiratory center, causing respiratory alkalosis, although this is often accompanied by metabolic acidosis. Respiratory alkalosis in sepsis appears to be associated with the release of cytokines.

Hyperventilation can be a result of pain, stress or fear. Psychogenic hyperventilation is not associated with any organic disease. It is observed in children who have suffered emotional shock, especially repeated ones. In such cases, the symptoms of acute alkalemia increase anxiety, contributing to the development of chronic hyperventilation.

This pathology very often occurs in conditions of mechanical ventilation, since there is no control from the respiratory center. In addition, such patients are usually under the influence of sedatives and immobilizers, which reduces basal metabolism and reduces the formation of CO2. Normally, a decrease in CO2 production and the resulting hypocapnia should weaken breathing, but under mechanical ventilation this reaction becomes impossible.

Clinical manifestations

Typically, the symptoms of the pathological processes underlying the disorder are more concerning than the clinical manifestations of the acid-base disorder itself. Chronic respiratory alkalosis is usually asymptomatic, since metabolic compensation limits the degree of alkalemia.

The condition can cause a feeling of heaviness in the chest, palpitations, dizziness and lightheadedness, numbness of the nasolabial triangle and paresthesia of the extremities. Less common are tetany, convulsions, muscle spasms, and fainting. Dizziness and fainting are probably associated with decreased cerebral blood flow due to hypocapnia. Indeed, hyperventilation is used to reduce cerebral blood flow in children with increased intracranial pressure. Paresthesia, tetany, and seizures are partly explained by a decrease in the level of ionized calcium in the blood, since alkalemia increases its binding to albumin. Respiratory alkalosis is accompanied by a slight decrease in potassium in the blood. With psychogenic hyperventilation, the symptoms are most pronounced and, along with a feeling of lack of air, they intensify hyperventilation.

Diagnostics

In many cases, respiratory alkalosis remains hidden, despite careful monitoring of the patient's breathing. Metabolic compensation reduces serum bicarbonate. Therefore, when determining blood electrolytes, metabolic acidosis can be misdiagnosed. In the absence of obvious hyperventilation, metabolic alkalosis is detected only by determining arterial blood gases.

Hyperventilation does not always indicate primary respiratory problems. In some cases, it represents a compensatory respiratory response to metabolic acidosis. Primary metabolic acidosis is characterized by acidemia, and with overt hyperventilation, the level of bicarbonate in the blood is usually sharply reduced. In contrast, metabolic compensation of acute respiratory alkalosis never leads to a drop in blood bicarbonate levels below 17 mEq/L, and simple metabolic alkalosis is accompanied by alkalemia.

The cause of alkalosis is often clear from physical examination or history (eg, pulmonary disease, neurologic disease, or cyanotic heart disease). A very common cause of hyperventilation is hypoxemia, and its detection may indicate a severe underlying illness requiring urgent treatment. Hypoxemia can be detected during examination of the patient (cyanosis) or pulse oximetry. However, a normal pulse oximetry result does not exclude hypoxemia as a cause of hyperventilation and alkalosis. This is explained by two circumstances. First, pulse oximetry is not sensitive enough to detect mild decreases in Po2. Secondly, due to hyperventilation, Po2 during respiratory alkalosis can increase to a level that does not change the result of pulse oximetry. Hypoxia as a cause of respiratory alkalosis can be completely excluded only by determining gases in arterial blood. The possibility of tissue hypoxia without hypoxemia, as occurs with carbon monoxide poisoning, severe anemia, and congestive heart failure, should also be considered.

Hyperventilation in the absence of hypoxemia is also observed with pulmonary pathology, which sometimes requires chest x-ray to identify. With embolism of the branches of the pulmonary artery, isolated respiratory alkalosis may occur in the absence of radiographic changes and with normal Po2, although hypoxia eventually develops. Diagnosis of embolism of branches of the pulmonary artery requires a high suspicion; this condition should be suspected in all cases where there are no other explanations for metabolic alkalosis, especially in the presence of risk factors such as prolonged bed rest or increased blood clotting (for example, in nephrotic syndrome or the presence of a lupus anticoagulant).

Treatment of respiratory alkalosis

It rarely requires specific treatment. Usually they strive to eliminate its cause. To correct iatrogenic respiratory alkalosis (unless hyperventilation is the goal of therapy), a respirator is used.

For anxiety-related hyperventilation, attempts should be made to calm the patient. Benzodiazepines can also help. In acute cases of psychogenic hyperventilation, the patient is forced to breathe from a paper bag, which leads to an increase in Pco2 in the blood. Breathing from a paper bag rather than a plastic bag provides sufficient oxygenation but allows the concentration of CO2 in the bag to increase. An increase in Pco2 in the patient's blood reduces symptoms. This method should only be used when other causes of hyperventilation are being addressed, and pulse oximetry should be monitored throughout the procedure.

The article was prepared and edited by: surgeon

Main indicators of the severity of various degrees of respiratory alkalosis:

Etiology. With respiratory alkalosis, there is a decrease in pCO 2 levels, resulting from alveolar hyperventilation. Pathologies causing respiratory alkalosis:

• brain injury involving the respiratory center, infections, brain cancer;
• metabolic disorders: liver failure, gram-negative sepsis, overdose of salicylates, fever;
• violation of the respiratory function of the lungs: pneumonia, initial stage of pulmonary embolism, congestive heart failure;
• as a result of increased loss of chlorides and potassium in the urine when taking diuretics and glucocorticoids;
• long-term artificial ventilation in hyperventilation mode.

Pathogenesis. Against the background of prolonged hyperventilation of the lungs, a decrease in pCO 2 is observed with a parallel increase in pH. This process is accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of bicarbonate, the loss of which occurs through the pulmonary and renal routes. The pulmonary compensation pathway is activated immediately in response to a decrease in the plasma concentration of carbonic acid. Hemoglobin plays the role of a buffer in this situation: each decrease in pCO 2 by 10 mm Hg. leads to a decrease in plasma bicarbonate by 2-3 mmol/l. If hyperventilation syndrome lasts for several hours and the loss of carbon dioxide by the pulmonary route continues, then the second mechanism for compensating for alkalosis is activated: the kidney. Renal compensation takes a long time and is manifested by the inclusion of mechanisms for suppressing the synthesis of HCO 3 - by the kidneys and the excretion of H +. There is an increase in the excretion of HCO 3 - due to a decrease in its tubular reabsorption. This is a more powerful way of compensation compared to the respiratory system; the severity of the decrease in plasma bicarbonate levels can be up to 5 mmol/l for every decrease of 10 mmHg. pCO2.

This two-level compensation very often allows the body to restore pH to normal values. Otherwise, if alkalosis increases, an increase in the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen is formed, the dissociation of oxyhemoglobin slows down and causes the development of tissue hypoxia and metabolic acidosis.

Clinical picture . With respiratory alkalosis, the volume of cerebral blood flow decreases as a result of increased cerebral vascular tone, which is a consequence of a deficiency of carbon dioxide in the blood. The patient experiences paresthesia of the skin of the extremities and around the mouth, muscle spasms in the extremities, drowsiness, headache, and sometimes deeper disturbances of consciousness (in extreme cases, coma).

Correction of respiratory alkalosis involves influencing the pathogenetic factor that caused hyperventilation and hypocapnia.

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Alkalosis is characterized by a change in the acid-base balance in the body, in which the amount of alkaline substances increases. This disease is quite rare and provokes serious changes in the functioning of all body systems. It can develop with digestive disorders, injuries, in the postoperative period and during

Alkalosis - what is it?

Alkalosis is an imbalance in the composition of the body. In this case, alkalis in the blood begin to prevail over acids, and the pH increases. If, on the contrary, acids predominate over bases, then this indicates the development of acidosis - acidification of the body, which is much more dangerous than alkalosis and has a stronger effect on the functioning of all systems.

There are compensated and uncompensated alkaloses. In the first case, the change in the acid-base balance does not go beyond the parameters acceptable for the normal functioning of the body (7.35-7.45), and is quickly normalized with the help of the introduction of chlorides and the normalization of lifestyle and nutrition.

When the pH exceeds 7.45, uncompensated alkalosis occurs. What is it? In humans, with such an indicator of acid-base balance, the normal functioning of all body systems occurs. In particular, problems appear with the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and nervous systems.

Why does the acid-base balance in the body occur?

The human body is full of mechanisms that regulate the normal state of the buffer system throughout life, launching certain processes to normalize the acid-base balance. The foods you eat every day directly affect your pH.

When the acid-base balance is disturbed, two states of the internal environment of the body are possible - alkalosis or acidosis.

Alkalosis is alkalization of the body. In this case, alkaline compounds will predominate in the liquid system, and the pH will exceed 7.45.

Acidosis is acidification of the body. It is a more dangerous condition, since the body is more resistant to alkalis than to acids. That is why, with any changes, first of all, doctors prescribe a diet that allows you to normalize the pH value.

The mechanism of changes in the body with increasing pH

In order to respond correctly to changes in your well-being, you need to know why alkalosis is dangerous. It causes hemodynamic disturbances: a decrease in blood pressure, heart rate, cerebral and coronary blood flow. On the part of the digestive system, there is a decrease in intestinal motility, which causes constipation.

Dizziness appears, performance decreases, fainting occurs, and the functioning of the respiratory center is inhibited. Nervous excitability increases, muscle hypertonicity appears, which can reach convulsions and tetany.

Types of alkalosis

Depending on the origin of the disease, there are three groups of alkaloses:

• Gas - occurs when hyperventilation of the lungs. The increased concentration of oxygen during inhalation promotes excessive removal of carbon dioxide during exhalation. This pathology is called respiratory alkalosis. It can occur due to blood loss, head injuries, effects on the body of various drugs (corazole, caffeine, microbial toxins).
• Non-gas - has several forms, each of which develops under certain conditions and causes special changes in the body.
• Mixed - occurs with head injuries causing shortness of breath, vomiting, hypocapnia.

It is very important to diagnose alkalosis in a timely manner. What is it? Regardless of its origin, the disease causes permanent changes in the functioning of vital systems of the body.

Forms of non-gas alkalosis

Non-gas alkalosis is divided into excretory, exogenous and metabolic.

Excretory - occurs with long-term use of diuretics, kidney disease, gastric fistulas, uncontrollable vomiting (in which gastric juice is lost in large quantities), endocrine diseases (causing sodium retention in the body).

Exogenous alkalosis develops with poor nutrition, when all food is oversaturated with alkalis when sodium bicarbonate is introduced into the human body to reduce stomach acidity.

Metabolic - a rare phenomenon, develops when metabolic processes in which electrolytes are involved are disrupted. This condition can be congenital (dysregulation of electrolyte metabolism), develop after extensive surgery, or be diagnosed in children with rickets.

With alkalosis, a person’s heart rate decreases and blood pressure drops, their general condition worsens, their performance decreases, and they are constantly plagued by weakness. If these manifestations are present, it is necessary first to exclude alkalosis. Symptoms only indirectly indicate a pH imbalance and require confirmation by

Reasons for the development of alkalosis

Alkalosis develops under the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors. The cause of gas alkalosis is hyperventilation of the lungs. In this case, there is an increased supply of oxygen to the body and, as a result, excessive removal of carbon dioxide.

Alkalosis is often observed in the postoperative period. This is due to the weakening of the body during surgery and under the influence of anesthesia. Gas alkalosis can cause hypertension, hemolysis, rickets in children and gastric ulcers.

The reason for the development of non-gas alkalosis is a lack or excess of gastric juice. Any changes lead to disruption of the acid-base balance.

Metabolic alkalosis is caused by drugs that increase the alkali content in the body. Contributing to the development of pathology are the consumption of foods with a high content of bases or prolonged vomiting, which causes a rapid loss of chlorine.

Symptoms of the disease

The first signs of gas alkalosis are increased anxiety and overexcitement. The patient becomes dizzy, attention and memory deteriorate, paresthesia of the face and limbs appears, and rapid fatigue from any communication occurs. In addition, drowsiness and dehydration appear (so-called “gray cyanosis” may develop).

Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by frequent headaches, drowsiness, swelling and cramps of the limbs, lethargy, apathy to the outside world, decreased appetite, and digestive disorders. Rashes may appear on the skin, it becomes dry and pale.

Alkalosis: diagnosis of the disease

A diagnosis cannot be made based on external signs and main symptoms. To identify a violation of the acid-base balance in the body, you need to conduct a full examination (donate urine, blood, do an electrocardiogram).

In addition to the standard, a blood test using a micro-Astrup apparatus or a pH meter, and a microgasometric test are indicated. When alkalosis is detected, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment aimed at eliminating the root cause and neutralizing subsequent symptoms.

Treatment of alkalosis

Treatment of gas alkalosis involves eliminating hyperventilation. The patient is prescribed procedures for inhaling mixtures of carbon dioxide (for example, carbogen) to restore normal acid-base balance.

Getting rid of the cause of the imbalance is the first thing you need to do to eliminate alkalosis. Symptoms and treatment must be interconnected, then it will be possible to quickly neutralize the dysfunction of the body’s buffer system.

To eliminate non-gas alkalosis, solutions of potassium, calcium, and insulin are used. You can also administer drugs that inhibit the action of carbonic anhydrase and promote the excretion of sodium and bicarbonate ions through the urinary system.

People whose alkalosis has developed against the background of severe pathologies are immediately hospitalized. For metabolic alkalosis, solutions of calcium or sodium chloride are administered intravenously. In case of hypokalemia, solutions of potassium-sparing drugs and panangin are introduced into the body.

If alkalosis is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea or hemolysis, then treatment is aimed primarily at eliminating these reactions, and only after that therapy is carried out to normalize the acid-base balance.

Prevention of alkalosis

To prevent pH disorders, you need to carefully monitor your lifestyle. It is important to maintain proper diet and sleep patterns, give up bad habits and get enough sleep. A normal diet with sufficient amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables can quickly normalize the acid-base balance and prevent alkalosis, the causes of which lie in poor nutrition.

You need to know which foods increase the amount of acids and which reduce them (this will allow you to improve your condition faster):

Alkaline baths cleanse the body of toxins and reduce acid levels. Saunas also have a cleansing effect, they affect blood circulation and quickly restore the acid-base balance.

Alkalosis in children

In childhood, against the background of many pathological conditions, the disease develops much more often, this is due to the lability of the body’s buffer system. Metabolic alkalosis can develop against the background of any digestive disorder that is accompanied by vomiting (promotes loss of stomach acid) or diarrhea.

The most common causes of metabolic alkalosis are pyloric stenosis and intestinal obstruction. Taking diuretics also affects the acid-base balance of the buffer system and can cause hypoglycemic alkalosis.

Another common cause of imbalance between alkalis and acids is improper correction of acidosis in a child. Metabolic alkalosis can be hereditary, and the transport of chlorine ions in the intestine is disrupted.

Pathology can be diagnosed using a stool test; it will contain chlorine ions; this element will not be detected in a urine test.

Reasons for the development of gas alkalosis in children

Gas alkalosis in children can develop due to hyperventilation of the lungs, which can be provoked by a toxic syndrome that occurs during acute viral respiratory diseases, meningitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, traumatic brain injuries, brain tumors and psychogenic reactions.

With artificial ventilation of the lungs, compensated respiratory alkalosis often develops. A lack of calcium, which was caused by an imbalance in the buffer system, can provoke cramps, malaise, hand tremors and increased sweating in the patient. Older children experience numbness in the extremities, ringing and noise in the ears. Acute hypercapnia can cause severe psychoneurological disorders in a child and even lead to coma.

Symptoms of alkalosis in children

It is very important to detect and eliminate alkalosis in a baby in a timely manner. Symptoms of pH imbalance in a child will manifest themselves in the same way as in an adult: anxiety, increased excitability, drowsiness, fatigue, loss of appetite, digestive disorders.

Symptoms of acid-base imbalance may vary slightly, depending on the reasons that provoked the change in pH. The degree of manifestation of symptoms also varies - from mild malaise to severe disruption in the functioning of the vital systems of the body.

Having understood the concept of alkalosis (what it is and what are the causes of pH disturbances), you can promptly detect symptoms of pathology and quickly eliminate it.

Everything in the human body is balanced. If this balance is disturbed, then diseases occur. Blood has its own special composition. Alkalosis is an imbalance in the composition of the blood that exhibits its own symptoms. It is divided into respiratory and metabolic alkaloses. The article will also discuss the causes and methods of treating the disease.

Alkalosis and acidosis

What is alkalosis? This is an imbalance in the composition of the blood, where the pH level increases due to the accumulation of an alkaline substance. An imbalance occurs at the level of acids and alkalis, where more hydrogen is added to substances compared to their release of acid. The opposite state of alkalosis is acidosis - when the amount of acids in the blood is greater than normal.

The disease can be compensated or decompensated, depending on the pH level.

• Compensated alkalosis indicates fluctuations in hydrogen levels within normal limits; only minor deviations may be observed.
• Uncompensated alkalosis is accompanied by an abnormal level of hydrogen, which is facilitated by an imbalance of acid and alkali, as well as an excess of bases.

Abnormalities in the composition of the blood become quite natural during infectious diseases or in extreme situations. In this situation, the respiratory system also changes, which adapts to the existing circumstances. Depending on which substance becomes abundant, alkalosis or acidosis develops.

There are such types of alkalosis and acidosis, which depend on the causes of their occurrence:

1. Respiratory alkalosis (or acidosis) – the cause is impaired ventilation of the lungs, which reduces CO2 tension.
2. Metabolic alkalosis (or acidosis) is a metabolic disorder. There is an increase or decrease in the amount of volatile substances, which provokes a particular disease.
3. Non-respiratory alkalosis (or acidosis) – observed in the absence of respiratory causes.

Other types of alkalosis are:

• Gas - the cause is hyperventilation of the lungs.
• Non-gas is divided into three types:

1. Excretory - develops against the background of uncontrollable vomiting, loss of gastric juice as a result of gastric fistulas, endocrine disorders, long-term use of diuretics.
2. Exogenous - the reasons for its development are the intake of food, which contains a lot of bases, and the administration of sodium bicarbonate.
3. Metabolic - develops after surgery, against the background of rickets or a hereditary disorder of electrolyte metabolism in children.

• Mixed - a combination of gas and non-gas alkalosis.

Metabolic alkalosis

A decrease in the amount of chlorine and hydrogen in the extracellular space leads to the development of metabolic alkalosis. It is diagnosed by the presence of a large amount of bicarbonate and elevated pH. Severe cases are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Severe headache.
• Tetany.
• Lethargy.

Treatment will consist of addressing the root cause of metabolic alkalosis. They are:

1. Loss of positively charged hydrogen.

The reasons for their occurrence are:

• Pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
• Repeated vomiting.
• Gastric drainage.
• Therapy with diuretics.
• Conn's syndrome.
• Potassium starvation.
• Barter syndrome.
• Itsenko-Cushing syndrome.
• Blood transfusion.

When the body loses potassium, calcium is also excreted, which affects the functioning of the heart. Convulsive syndromes develop and neuromuscular excitability increases. A complication of the disease can be failures in enzymatic systems.

Respiratory alkalosis

The appearance of respiratory alkalosis is facilitated by hyperventilation, which can be chronic or acute, which is why the disease also has such types. This significantly reduces the CO2 pressure.

1. Moderate hypercapnia is the cause of the development of chronic respiratory alkalosis.
2. Severe hypercapnia is the cause of the development of acute respiratory alkalosis.

Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis include convulsions, lightheadedness, and a state of stupor due to the low amount of blood entering the brain. Arrhythmia appears in those who have heart disease. The disease often occurs in seriously ill people who spend all their time in a supine position.

The first symptoms can be detected when there are disturbances in the cardiovascular or respiratory system. To monitor the condition, you need to be diagnosed by a doctor.

Damage to the nervous system leads to a persistent form of respiratory alkalosis. Another cause of the disease may be mechanical ventilation. Here are the signs:

• Numb lips.
• Nausea.
• The appearance of paresthesia.
• Feeling of tightness in the chest.

Respiratory alkalosis may signal the onset of sepsis even before obvious signs appear.

Symptoms of alkalosis

How can you recognize the onset of alkalosis? According to the symptoms he exhibits. They are:

1. Ischemia of the brain. Because of this, the patient becomes anxious, excited, dizzy, quickly gets tired of communication, paresthesia of the limbs appears, attention and memory deteriorate.
2. Pallor of the skin, appearance of gray cyanosis.
3. Rare breathing - 40-60 breaths per minute.
4. Tachycardia, pendulum-like rhythm of tones, small pulse.
5. , the appearance of orthostatic collapse when taking a vertical position.
6. Diuresis and dehydration.
7. The appearance of seizures.
8. Epilepsy is possible due to disorders of the nervous system.

Metabolic alkalosis rarely shows clear symptoms. They are often blurred and are as follows:

• Edema.
• Respiratory depression.
• Pasty.

Decompensated alkalosis can be recognized by the following symptoms:

1. Thirst.
2. Minor hyperkinesis.
3. Weakness.
4. Headaches.
5. Lack of appetite.
6. Dry skin and decreased turgor.
7. Rare and shallow breathing.
8. Apathy.
9. Drowsiness.
10. Retardation of consciousness.

Metabolic alkalosis in Barter syndrome can be identified by the following signs:

• Decreased appetite.
• Aversion to dairy products.
• Scratching on the skin.
• Weakness and apathy.
• Accumulation of salts in the conjunctiva, kidney tubules, cornea.

Alkalosis in children

The appearance of alkalosis in children is not news to doctors. The lability of metabolic processes in a small organism often leads to this disease, as the site notes.

Metabolic alkalosis often develops after birth trauma, with intestinal obstruction and pyloric stenosis.

Heredity plays an important role in whether a child will have alkalosis. Often, children are genetically transmitted to a disorder in the transport of chlorine in the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, an analysis is made of stool, which contains a lot of chlorine, and urine, where it may be completely absent.

Gas alkalosis develops against the background of toxic syndrome and viral respiratory diseases, fever, meningitis, brain tumors, encephalitis, pneumonia, and head injuries.

Gas alkalosis of the compensated type often develops after mechanical ventilation during resuscitation. However, over time the disease goes away. It is also observed after poisoning with various drugs. Parents are advised here to remove all medications from the child's sight.

An acute calcium deficiency will result in the following symptoms:

• In children - sweating, trembling limbs, convulsions.
• In older children - tinnitus, tingling and numbness in the hands. Neuropsychotic signs appear at a late stage of the disease.

Causes of alkalosis

The types of alkalosis have already been discussed above, which are divided depending on the causes of the disease. That’s right: alkalosis develops for several reasons:

• Metabolic alkalosis develops against the background of the body losing a large number of hydrogen ions. This can be facilitated by drug treatment, repeated vomiting, and drainage in the stomach. We should also not forget about metabolic diseases such as Barter syndrome, Itsenko-Cushing syndrome, adrenogenital syndrome and Conn syndrome. Often observed in the postoperative period and in children with rickets.
• Exogenous alkalosis develops after large doses of sodium bicarbonate. This may be done accidentally or after long-term treatment of the disease. It can also be caused by a poor, uniform diet, when a large amount of bases enters the body.
• Decompensated alkalosis develops against the background of loss of chlorine by the body. This can be caused by high temperature and lack of fluid in the body.
• Mixed alkalosis is observed with brain injuries. Here there is a mixture of symptoms of gas and non-gas alkalosis:

1. Dyspnea.
2. Vomit.
3. Increased neuromuscular excitation.
4. Blood pressure drop.
5. Decreased heart rate.
6. The appearance of hypertonicity, which leads to convulsions.
7. Constipation.
8. Deterioration of breathing.
9. Decreased performance.
10. Weakness up to confusion and even loss of consciousness.

Treatment of alkalosis

The occurrence of alkalosis prompts immediate hospitalization of the patient. No treatment with folk remedies is carried out here. Only with neurogenic hyperventilation, which occurs against the background of a hysterical state or nervous shock, can hospital treatment be excluded.

Already right on the spot, the patient must be calmed by eliminating the traumatic situation and creating a favorable environment. For severe heart palpitations, medications are given (Corvalol or Validol). They help to calm down, come to one’s senses and normalize the state.

Treatment is based on eliminating the disorders that have occurred in the body. In case of high hypocapnia, carbogen inhalation is prescribed. For convulsions, an injection of calcium chloride into a vein is necessary. During the administration of the drug, the patient will feel fever, which should be reported to him.

For hyperventilation, Seduxen is given. This drug is not given to older people or those with severe illness. Also, it is not taken by children under 6 months, and at older ages it is given in minimal quantities.

If there are signs of hypokalemia, Panangin is injected into a vein, followed by a solution of potassium chloride. Also shown are a solution of insulin and glucose, Spironolactone. For liver pathologies, amino acids are prescribed.

For any type of disease, ammonium chloride is administered. Diacarb is prescribed if too many alkalis were introduced during treatment.

In addition to the main treatment of alkalosis, the symptoms that developed as a result of the disease (diarrhea, nausea, etc.) are eliminated. Here physiological solutions (for example, saline) are prescribed. The chlorine content is increased by introducing potassium chloride solution and HCI solution.

Treatment of alkalosis in premature babies is carried out by administering ascorbic acid orally. Other drugs are not used, which is not necessary.

Lifespan

Alkalosis is a fatal disease because it is an imbalance of substances within the body that respond and participate in the processes of various organs. If the balance of substances is disturbed, the functioning of individual organs is disrupted, which provokes various diseases. Life expectancy here becomes insignificant due to the development of serious pathologies and serious diseases.

The doctors' prognosis is comforting if the patient turns to them for help. There are many effective drugs that help eliminate alkalosis. The result is complete recovery, if the disease is not hereditary or congenital.

It is almost impossible to prevent the development of alkalosis. Only a nutritious and varied diet, timely treatment of all diseases and staying in environmentally friendly places can protect against the development of diseases. However, alkalosis cannot be avoided if the cause is genetic inheritance or congenital diseases.