Alkalosis is a condition in which the blood in the body contains too much base or alkali. This condition can occur because the levels of acid or carbon dioxide in the body are reduced, and there is a decrease in the electrolyte levels of chloride and potassium in the body.
Blood in the body contains levels of acids and bases whose size is determined through blood tests on the pH scale. The balance of these two substances is well regulated by the kidneys and lungs with a normal pH value of around 7.4. A lower than normal pH level indicates that the body contains more acid, while a higher than normal pH indicates that the body has more alkaline content.
Handling of cases of alkalosis depends on how quickly the disease is diagnosed and treated. The sooner it is treated, the better the outcome will be. In general, most patients recover after treatment.
Symptoms of Alkalosis
Symptoms of alkalosis vary. In the early stages, symptoms are indicated by:
- Nauseous
- Body feels stiff
- Tense and twitching muscles
- Tremors in the hands
- Easy to get angry
- Anxiety disorder that causes rapid breathing and tingling in the face, hands, or feet.
In some cases, alkalosis causes no symptoms at all. On the other hand, severe symptoms can occur if alkalosis is not treated immediately, namely shortness of breath and loss of consciousness (up to coma).
Causes of Alkalosis
The balance of acid-base levels in the body is strictly maintained by mechanisms of the lungs, kidneys, and chemical buffer systems in the body. When there is a disturbance in the balance where the pH value is different from normal, the condition of many organs can be disturbed. Based on the cause, there are four types of alkalosis, namely:
- Metabolic alkalosis. This type occurs when the body's acid content is too low, so the body contains more base. This condition can be caused by excessive and prolonged vomiting leading to loss of electrolytes (especially chloride and potassium), excessive consumption of certain drugs (diuretics, antacids, or laxatives), adrenal gland disease, bicarbonate consumption, and alcoholism.
- Respiratory alkalosis. This condition occurs due to not enough carbon dioxide in the bloodstream caused by breathing too fast (for example in an anxiety state), lack of oxygen, salicylate poisoning, medical conditions (high fever, lung disease, liver disease), or being at high altitudes. Hyperventilation due to anxiety is the most common cause of respiratory alkalosis.
Alkalosis Diagnosis
After knowing the symptoms experienced by the patient, the doctor can perform a physical examination as the first step in establishing a diagnosis. The examination needs to be supported by a series of tests to determine the cause of the patient's symptoms. The tests are in the form of:
- blood test, which includes electrolyte testing and analysis of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) in arterial blood. Both tests are performed to determine if the alkalosis that occurs is respiratory or metabolic alkalosis.
- Urine test or urinalysis.This test by taking a urine sample is done to check electrolyte levels and urine pH.
Alkalosis Treatment
Treatment can be carried out after the doctor knows the cause of the patient's alkalosis. In respiratory alkalosis, the main treatment that needs to be done is to ensure the patient has adequate oxygen levels and return carbon dioxide levels back to normal. When the patient is breathing rapidly because of the pain, the pain needs to be overcome first, so that breathing becomes normal and the patient's condition gets better. If breathing problems are caused by anxiety, the doctor may advise the sufferer to breathe more slowly and deeply, to help relieve the sufferer's symptoms. In addition, efforts to calm the patient and help the patient breathe in a paper bag can also increase the level of carbon dioxide in the blood, so that symptoms can subside. However, when the test results show low oxygen levels in the body, the patient needs to receive additional oxygen by wearing a mask.
In alkalosis due to a deficiency of some chemicals, such as chloride and potassium, doctors can give drugs and supplements to replace the lack of chemicals. If the metabolic alkalosis is very severe, it can be given by intravenous infusion of fluids and electrolytes in a hospital setting. In addition, the patient's vital signs will also be constantly monitored, namely body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. After treatment, most people with alkalosis can recover.
Complications of Alkalosis
Complications of alkalosis can arise when this condition is not treated properly. Some of the complications of alkalosis are:
- Arrhythmias, such as a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow, or irregular
- Coma.
Alkalosis Prevention
Prevention efforts that can be done is to reduce the risk of developing alkalosis. This risk reduction can be achieved by:
- Adopt a healthy diet, especially foods high in potassium to prevent electrolyte deficiencies. Nutrient sources of potassium are abundant in fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, spinach, bananas, and nuts.
- Maintain adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration, which is characterized by thirst. Dehydration can make the body lose a lot of electrolytes in a short time. Some efforts that can be done to prevent dehydration are to drink 8 to 10 glasses every day, and make it a habit to drink before, after, or during exercise. While it's important to drink enough, care should be taken to limit the caffeine in soda, tea, or coffee, which can exacerbate dehydration.