Metabolic Alkalosis: Causes, Acid-Base & Electrolyte Imbalance (original) (raw)

What is alkalosis?

Alkalosis occurs when your blood and body fluids contain an excess of bases or alkali. Your blood’s acid-base (alkali) balance is critical to your well-being. When the balance is off, even by a small amount, it can make you sick.

What is metabolic alkalosis?

In metabolic alkalosis there is excess of bicarbonate in the body fluids. It can occur in a variety of conditions.

It may be due to digestive issues, like repeated vomiting, that disrupt the blood’s acid-base balance. It can also be due to complications of conditions affecting the heart, liver and kidneys. In mild cases, you might not experience symptoms. Severe forms of metabolic alkalosis can affect kidney functioning.

Are there other types of alkalosis?

Yes. Respiratory alkalosis occurs when you are breathing too fast or too deeply causing your lungs to get rid of too much carbon dioxide. This causes the carbon dioxide levels in the blood to decrease and the blood then becomes alkaline.

How does metabolic alkalosis affect my body?

Metabolic alkalosis happens when stomach acid is decreased or certain electrolyte levels drop. These changes throw off the acid-base balance.