• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Alkalosis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Treatment:

Treatment of alkalosis depends on finding the specific cause. For alkalosis caused by hyperventilation, breathing into a paper bag causes more carbon dioxide to be retained. Oxygen may be administered.

Medications to correct chemical loss (chloride, potassium, etc.) may be needed. Vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) are monitored.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most cases of alkalosis respond well to treatment.

Complications:

• Coma
• Arrhythmias
• Electrolyte imbalance (such as hypokalemia )

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if a person becomes confused, is unable to concentrate, or if the person is unable to "catch their breath".

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if a person passes out (loses consciousness), experiences severe breathing difficulties, has seizures , or if symptoms of alkalosis occur and rapidly worsen.

• Review Date: 12/9/2005
• Reviewed By: Colm C. Magee, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Renal Transplant, Brigham & Women's Hospital, and Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.