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Alkalosis symptoms include irritability, confusion, muscle twitching, nausea, vomiting, pins and needles, and dizziness. It can be caused by a loss of stomach acid, ingesting too many substances, or kidney problems. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause and administering water, electrolytes, or dilute acid in severe cases. Hyperventilation and medication can also cause alkalosis. Symptoms can worsen and complications can develop if left untreated.
Symptoms of alkalosis include irritability, confusion, and muscle twitching that can turn into spasms. Some people with alkalosis may also experience nausea and vomiting, pins and needles, and dizziness. These alkalosis symptoms occur when the body’s acid-base balance is disrupted. Alkalosis can develop after a loss of stomach acid, after ingesting too many substances such as baking soda, or when the kidneys can no longer maintain a proper balance of acid and base in the blood due to low potassium levels. Treatment of this condition usually involves addressing the underlying cause or administering water, electrolytes, or dilute acid in severe cases.
The first symptoms of alkalosis are usually sensory changes because excess base in the bloodstream will cause neurons to become hyperexcitable. An individual with alkalosis will usually first notice numbness or tingling that progresses to muscle contractions such as a hand tremor. These muscle changes are usually accompanied by dizziness and confusion that can worsen into a stupor or even a coma.
If the alkalosis is severe, the muscle contractions will eventually become spasms. These spasms can result in paralysis of vital muscle groups such as those responsible for breathing. If the person with alkalosis loses consciousness, cannot breathe, or has other rapidly worsening alkalosis symptoms, medical intervention becomes crucial.
Alkalosis can result from several causes. Medications such as a diuretic can lower a person’s potassium levels to the point where the kidneys have trouble maintaining proper acid-base balance in the blood. An overactive adrenal gland can have a similar effect.
Hyperventilation can also cause symptoms of alkalosis, or respiratory alkalosis, in particular. The deep but rapid breathing characteristic of hyperventilation will expel too much carbon dioxide from the body too quickly. Anxiety disorders often trigger hyperventilation, but this type of alkalosis can often be controlled by slowing and regulating your breathing or breathing into a paper bag. Other causes of respiratory alkalosis include liver and lung disease and high altitudes.
When a person loses a large amount of stomach acid, symptoms of alkalosis can occur. Stomach acid is typically lost when someone vomits continuously. It can also occur when someone needs to have their stomach pumped.
Once the symptoms of alkalosis have been detected, confirming the diagnosis is usually as simple as taking a blood test to see if the blood is truly alkaline. Treatment of alkalosis may require determination of the underlying cause, and therefore further testing can vary significantly. If left untreated, the symptoms of alkalosis can worsen and complications such as arrhythmias or hypokalemia can develop.
Most cases of alkalosis are treatable, especially once the underlying cause is revealed. Treatment will vary depending on what is causing the acid-base imbalance. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to correct a loss of potassium or chloride. A doctor may also decide to give water and electrolytes or dilute the acid in severe cases.
