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Respiratory alkalosis - Overview

Alternative Names

Alkalosis - respiratory

Definition of Respiratory alkalosis:

Respiratory alkalosis is a condition marked by low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood due to breathing excessively.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Common causes include:

Anxiety
Fever
Hyperventilation

Any lung disease that leads to shortness of breath can also cause respiratory alkalosis.

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 8/8/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Seifter JL. Acid base disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 119.

Hyperventilation

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