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Respiratory alkalosis
Alkalosis - respiratory
Respiratory alkalosis is a condition marked by a low level of carbon dioxide in the blood due to breathing excessively.
Causes
Common causes include:
- Anxiety or panic
- Fever
-
Overbreathing (
hyperventilation
)
Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation is rapid and deep breathing. It is also called overbreathing, and it may leave you feeling breathless.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Pregnancy (this is normal)
- Pain
Any lung disease that leads to shortness of breath can also cause respiratory alkalosis (such as pulmonary embolism and asthma).
Symptoms
The symptoms may include:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Numbness of the hands and feet
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. Tests that may be done include:
-
Arterial
blood gas
, which measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood
Blood gas
Blood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Basic metabolic panel
-
Chest x-ray
Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
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Pulmonary function tests
to measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning
Pulmonary function tests
Pulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning.
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Treatment
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.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Outlook depends on the condition that is causing the respiratory alkalosis.
Possible Complications
Seizures may occur if the alkalosis is extremely severe. This is very rare.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if you have any symptoms of lung disease, such as long-term (chronic) cough or shortness of breath.
References
Effros RM, Swenson ER. Acid-base balance. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 7.
Seifter JL. Acid-base disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 118.
-
Respiratory system - illustration
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Respiratory system
illustration
Review Date: 8/21/2016
Reviewed 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, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
