Alkalosis is characterized by a change in acid-base balance in the body, in which the amount of alkaline substances increases. This disease is quite rare and provokes serious changes in the work of all body systems. It can develop with digestive disorders, injuries, in the postoperative period and with mechanical ventilation.
Alkalosis - what is it?
Alkalosis is an imbalance in the body's buffer system . In this case, in the blood, alkalis begin to prevail over acids, and the pH increases. If, on the contrary, acids prevail over the bases, then this indicates the development of acidosis - acidification of the body, which is much more dangerous than alkalosis and has a stronger effect on the functioning of all systems.
Distinguished between compensated and uncompensated alkaloses. In the first case, the change in the acid-base balance does not go beyond indicators acceptable for the normal functioning of the body (7.35-7.45), and is quickly normalized by the introduction of chlorides and the normalization of lifestyle and nutrition.
When the pH exceeds 7.45, uncompensated alkalosis occurs. What it is? In humans, with this indicator of acid-base balance, the normal functioning of all body systems is disturbed. In particular, problems with the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and nervous systems appear.
Why does the violation of the acid-base balance in the body
The human body is filled with mechanisms that throughout life regulate the normal state of the buffer system, starting certain processes to normalize the acid-base balance. Foods that are consumed daily directly affect pH.
In violation of the acid-base balance, two conditions of the internal environment of the body are possible - alkalosis or acidosis.
Alkalosis - alkalization of the body. In this case, alkaline compounds will prevail in the liquid system, and the pH will exceed 7.45.
Acidosis is an acidification of the body. It is a more dangerous condition, since the body is more resistant to alkali than to acid. That is why, with any changes, first of all, doctors prescribe a diet that allows you to normalize the pH.
The mechanism of changes in the body with increasing pH
In order to properly respond to changes in your well-being, you need to know what is dangerous alkalosis. It causes hemodynamic disorders: lowering blood pressure, heart rate, cerebral and coronary blood flow. From the digestive system, there is a decrease in intestinal motility, which causes constipation.
Dizziness appears, performance drops, fainting occurs, the work of the respiratory center is inhibited. Nervous excitability increases, muscle hypertonicity appears, which can reach seizures and tetany.
Types of alkaloses
Depending on the origin of the disease, three groups of alkaloses are distinguished:
- Gas - occurs with hyperventilation of the lungs. Increased oxygen concentration during inspiration promotes excessive removal of carbon dioxide during exhalation. This pathology is called respiratory alkalosis. It can occur with blood loss, head injuries, effects on the body of various drugs (corazole, caffeine, microbial toxins).
- Non-gas - has several forms, each of which develops under certain conditions and causes special changes in the body.
- Mixed - occurs with head injuries that cause shortness of breath, vomiting, hypocapnia.
It is very important to diagnose alkalosis in a timely manner. What it is? Regardless of the origin, the disease causes persistent changes in the functioning of the vital systems of the body.
Forms of non-gas alkalosis
Non-gas alkalosis is divided into excretory, exogenous and metabolic.
Excretory - occurs with prolonged use of diuretics, kidney diseases, gastric fistulas, indomitable vomiting (in which a large amount of gastric juice is lost), endocrine diseases (causing sodium retention in the body).
Exogenous alkalosis develops with poor nutrition, when all food is oversaturated with alkalis when sodium bicarbonate is introduced into the human body to reduce the acidity of the stomach.
Metabolic - a rare phenomenon that develops in violation of metabolic processes in which electrolytes are involved. This condition can be congenital (dysregulation of electrolyte metabolism), develop after extensive surgery, or be diagnosed in children with rickets.
With alkalosis in humans, the heart rate decreases and pressure drops, the general condition worsens, performance decreases, and weakness is constantly pursuing. In the presence of these manifestations, it is necessary first of all to exclude alkalosis. Symptoms only indirectly indicate a violation of the pH and require confirmation by examining the body.
Causes of alkalosis
Alkalosis develops under the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors. The cause of gas alkalosis is hyperventilation of the lungs. In this case, there is an increased intake of oxygen in the body and, as a result, excessive removal of carbon dioxide.
Often alkalosis is observed in the postoperative period. This is due to the weakening of the body during surgery and under the influence of anesthesia. Gas alkalosis can cause hypertension, hemolysis, rickets in children and stomach ulcers.
The reason for the development of non-gas alkalosis is a lack or excess of gastric juice. Any changes lead to a violation of the acid-base balance.
Metabolic alkalosis is caused by drugs that increase the alkali content in the body. Contribute to the development of pathology and the use of foods with a high base content or prolonged vomiting, causing a rapid loss of chlorine.
Symptoms of the disease
The first signs of gas alkalosis are increased anxiety and overexcitation. The patient is dizzy, attention and memory deteriorate, paresthesia of the face and limbs appear, and rapid fatigue from any communication is observed. In addition, drowsiness, dehydration, pallor of the skin appear (the so-called "gray cyanosis" may develop).
Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by frequent headaches, drowsiness, swelling and cramps of the limbs, lethargy, apathy to the outside world, decreased appetite, and digestive disorders. Rashes may appear on the skin, it becomes dry and pale.
Alkalosis: diagnosis of the disease
Based on external signs and main symptoms, a diagnosis cannot be made. To detect a violation of the acid-base balance in the body, you need to conduct a full examination (give urine, blood, make an electrocardiogram).
In addition to the standard, a blood test is shown on a Micro-Astrup apparatus or pH meter, microgasometric test. If alkalosis is detected, the doctor prescribes a suitable treatment aimed at eliminating the root cause and neutralizing the subsequent symptoms.
Alkalosis Treatment
Treatment of gas alkalosis is to eliminate pulmonary hyperventilation. The patient is prescribed inhalation of carbon dioxide mixtures (for example, carbogen) to restore normal acid-base balance.
Getting rid of the cause of the imbalance is the first thing to do to eliminate alkalosis. Symptoms and treatment should be interconnected, then it will be possible to quickly neutralize the impaired functioning of the body's buffer system.
To eliminate non-gas alkalosis, solutions of ammonium chloride, potassium, calcium, insulin are used. You can also enter drugs that inhibit the action of carbonic anhydrase and promote excretion through the urinary system of sodium ions and bicarbonate.
People whose alkalosis developed on the background of severe pathologies are immediately hospitalized. With metabolic alkalosis, calcium chloride or sodium chloride solutions are administered intravenously. With hypokalemia , potassium chloride solutions, potassium-sparing drugs and panangin are introduced into the body.
If alkalosis is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea or hemolysis, then the treatment is aimed primarily at eliminating these reactions, and only after that therapy is carried out to normalize the acid-base balance.
Alkalosis Prevention
To prevent pH disorders, you must carefully monitor your lifestyle. It is important to observe the correct diet and sleep patterns, give up bad habits and get enough sleep. A normal diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables allows you to quickly normalize the acid-base balance and prevent alkalosis, the causes of which lie in poor nutrition.
You need to know which products increase the amount of acid and which lower (this will improve your condition faster):
- mineral water, dairy products and green tea increase the concentration of alkalis;
- potatoes help reduce the amount of bases in the body;
- tea, coffee, bakery products, sweets, fish and meat increase the level of acids; therefore, these products should be consumed in moderation;
- to normalize the pH, it is recommended to take alkaline baths and visit the sauna.
Alkaline baths cleanse the body of toxins and reduce acid levels. Saunas also have a cleansing effect, they affect blood circulation and quickly restore acid-base balance.
Alkalosis in children
In childhood, against the background of many pathological conditions, the disease develops much more often, this is due to the lability of the body's buffer system. Metabolic alkalosis can develop against the background of any digestive disorders that are accompanied by vomiting (contributes to the loss of stomach acid) or diarrhea.
The most common cause of metabolic alkalosis is birth injury, pyloric stenosis, and bowel obstruction. Taking diuretics also affects the acid-base balance of the buffer system and can cause hypoglycemic alkalosis.
Another common cause of imbalances in alkalis and acids is incorrect correction for acidosis in a child. Metabolic alkalosis can be hereditary, while the transport of chlorine ions in the intestine is disrupted.
The pathology can be diagnosed with the help of fecal analysis, chlorine ions will be in it, this element will not be detected in the analysis of urine.
Causes of gas alkalosis in children
Gas alkalosis in children can develop with hyperventilation of the lungs, which can provoke a toxic syndrome that occurs with acute viral respiratory diseases, meningitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, head injuries, brain tumors and psychogenic reactions.
With mechanical ventilation, often compensated respiratory alkalosis develops. The lack of calcium, which was caused by an imbalance in the buffer system, can provoke cramps, malaise, trembling hands and increased sweating in the patient. In older children, numbness of the limbs, ringing and tinnitus are observed. Acute hypercapnia can cause severe neuropsychiatric disorders in the child and even lead to coma.
Symptoms of alkalosis in children
It is very important to detect and eliminate alkalosis in infants in time. Symptoms of pH disturbance in a child will manifest themselves in the same way as in an adult: anxiety, increased irritability, drowsiness, fatigue, loss of appetite, digestive disorders.
Symptoms of an imbalance in the acid-base index may vary slightly, depending on the reasons that triggered the change in pH. The degree of manifestation of symptoms also varies - from mild malaise to a severe disorder in the functioning of vital body systems.
After understanding the concept of alkalosis (what it is and what are the causes of pH disorders), you can timely detect the symptoms of pathology in yourself and quickly eliminate it.