There are two types of alkalosis, namely respiratory alkalosis or metabolic alkalosis. Our blood is a buffer solution made up of both acid and base substances. The pH of human blood is 7.4 which is slightly alkaline. A decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood and a continuous increase of bicarbonate in the blood are the main reasons for it. Loss of hydrogen ions happens mainly because of loss in the gastric region by pyloric stenosis, prolonged chloro diarrhea, and severe gastric aspiration. An increase in bicarbonate ion concentration occurs due to excessive intake of bicarbonates or alkali foods/chemicals (E.g. milk-alkali syndrome). Sometimes bicarbonate reabsorption in kidneys will be increased this is also the main reason for metabolic alkalosis (e.g. Cushing syndrome, hyperaldosteronism). Some genetic disorders are also the reason for metabolic alkalosis. They are bartter syndrome, Gitelman syndrome, Liddle syndrome, glucocorticoid remediable aldosteronism, and apparent mineralocorticoid disorder.

Respiratory Alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis occurs due to a reduction in carbon dioxide levels in our blood. Due to alveolar hyperventilation PCO2 in arteries may be decreased in turn it increases bicarbonate ion concentration results in pH change. Some cause for this condition is:

Alveolar hyperventilation,

Very high fever

Overdose of salicylate

Altitude sickness

Prolonged liver disease

Disorders of lungs

Aspirin poisoning. Low CO2 – Some patients who are in the coma stage need mechanical ventilation. In this condition, their bodily production of CO2 will be lowered and leads to alkalosis. Excess loss of CO2 – Even though CO2 production is normal loss will be higher. For example; psychogenic hyperventilation and salicylate overdose.

Metabolic Alkalosis

Excessive bicarbonate ions in the blood are the main reason for metabolic alkalosis. Another important reason for this condition is increased tubular reabsorption due to kidney diseases. Some other reasons are:

excessive vomiting

overuse of diuretics leads to electrolyte

the adrenal disease which influence the mineralocorticoids production

antacids

high-level accidental ingestion of bicarbonate, (baking soda)

overuse of laxatives

alcohol abuse

loss of stomach acids. Chloride-responsive alkalosis: Because of vomiting or any other dehydration method body loss of hydrogen ions. Chloride-resistant alkalosis: Too much bicarbonate ions retain in body fluid. Hypochloremic alkalosis: It takes place due to the continuous decrease of chloride in body fluids. It may be because of prolonged vomiting or sweating. Chloride is an essential electrolyte in digestive fluids that helps to maintain fluid balance. Hypokalemic alkalosis: It occurs due to reduced potassium levels. We got potassium through our food; less intake of potassium leads to potassium deficiency. The mineral potassium is very essential for the efficient functioning of the heart, kidney, muscles, digestive system, and nervous system. Kidney disease, excessive sweating, and diarrhea are just a few ways you can lose too much potassium.

Change of body fluids from usual pH to a base solution (more than 7) is alkaloids. This is an abnormal condition in pathophysiology which is caused due to excessive storage of alkali in the body. It results in an abnormal increase in pH of blood plasma (higher than 7.45 in arteries) and the condition is known as alkalemia. This happens due to the excessive presence of bicarbonate ions, a lower amount of hydrogen ions (H+) than normal.

There are two types of alkalosis, namely respiratory alkalosis or metabolic alkalosis. Our blood is a buffer solution made up of both acid and base substances. The pH of human blood is 7.4 which is slightly alkaline. A decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood and a continuous increase of bicarbonate in the blood are the main reasons for it. Loss of hydrogen ions happens mainly because of loss in the gastric region by pyloric stenosis, prolonged chloro diarrhea, and severe gastric aspiration. An increase in bicarbonate ion concentration occurs due to excessive intake of bicarbonates or alkali foods/chemicals (E.g. milk-alkali syndrome). Sometimes bicarbonate reabsorption in kidneys will be increased this is also the main reason for metabolic alkalosis (e.g. Cushing syndrome, hyperaldosteronism). Some genetic disorders are also the reason for metabolic alkalosis. They are bartter syndrome, Gitelman syndrome, Liddle syndrome, glucocorticoid remediable aldosteronism, and apparent mineralocorticoid disorder.

Respiratory Alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis occurs due to a reduction in carbon dioxide levels in our blood. Due to alveolar hyperventilation PCO2 in arteries may be decreased in turn it increases bicarbonate ion concentration results in pH change. Some cause for this condition is:

Alveolar hyperventilation,

Very high fever

Overdose of salicylate

Altitude sickness

Prolonged liver disease

Disorders of lungs

Aspirin poisoning. Low CO2 – Some patients who are in the coma stage need mechanical ventilation. In this condition, their bodily production of CO2 will be lowered and leads to alkalosis. Excess loss of CO2 – Even though CO2 production is normal loss will be higher. For example; psychogenic hyperventilation and salicylate overdose.

Excessive bicarbonate ions in the blood are the main reason for metabolic alkalosis. Another important reason for this condition is increased tubular reabsorption due to kidney diseases. Some other reasons are:

excessive vomiting

overuse of diuretics leads to electrolyte

the adrenal disease which influence the mineralocorticoids production

antacids

high-level accidental ingestion of bicarbonate, (baking soda)

overuse of laxatives

alcohol abuse

loss of stomach acids. Chloride-responsive alkalosis: Because of vomiting or any other dehydration method body loss of hydrogen ions. Chloride-resistant alkalosis: Too much bicarbonate ions retain in body fluid. Hypochloremic alkalosis: It takes place due to the continuous decrease of chloride in body fluids. It may be because of prolonged vomiting or sweating. Chloride is an essential electrolyte in digestive fluids that helps to maintain fluid balance. Hypokalemic alkalosis: It occurs due to reduced potassium levels. We got potassium through our food; less intake of potassium leads to potassium deficiency. The mineral potassium is very essential for the efficient functioning of the heart, kidney, muscles, digestive system, and nervous system. Kidney disease, excessive sweating, and diarrhea are just a few ways you can lose too much potassium. Early symptoms of alkalosis:

nausea

numbness

prolonged muscle spasms

muscle twitchin

hand tremors

Severe symptoms: Severe symptoms like dizziness, breathing suffocation, confusion, stupor start to appear in the absence of treatment at an early stage. It may lead to shock or coma. Diagnose alkalosis:

Urine analysis, urine pH test

Metabolic panel

Analysis of gaseous substances of arterial blood. Treatment of metabolic alkalosis: For chloride-responsive: In case of mild chloride-responsive alkalosis, intake of salt extra sodium chloride helps to maintain balance by making the blood more acidic. If severe symptoms appear, an intravenous solution (saline) will be given by the physician (sodium chloride). For chloride-resistant: In chloride-resistant alkalosis, the body loses potassium. So, high intakes of potassium in the form of pills, taking potassium chloride intravenously are the way to manage it. Prevention: Maintenance of good health, intake of a healthy balanced diet, drinking sufficient water to keep hydrated. Eating some nutrient foods like carrots, beans, spinach, bananas, and milk help to overcome mineral deficiencies. Some instructions to avoid dehydration drink 8 to 10 glasses of water/day. Electrolyte-replacement drinks after exercise help to regain electrolyte. Avoid or minimize the intake of carbonated drinks, sodas, limit coffee, tea. Lungs and kidneys help to compensate for metabolic alkalosis. Lung compensation: Our cells produce CO2 as a result of the oxidation process. This CO2 from cells transported to the lungs by plasma and red blood cells through our veins. By dissolving with the water of plasma CO2 forms carbonic acid with the help of carbonic anhydrase. This carbonic acid then breaks down into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions in which bicarbonate ions are alkaline. Because of this only blood acts as a buffering agent. The next way to compensate is by influencing the rate of breathing. This happens automatically; it is the first and fastest method and called respiratory compensation. Compensation by Kidney: The kidneys do compensate for alkalosis by enhancing the excretion of bicarbonate ions excretion in urine. This is a slower process than respiratory compensation, it is also an automatic process.