Endocrinology >>>> Alkalosis - the causes of development

Alkalosis - the causes of development.

The change in the acid-base balance of the internal environment of the body towards alkalization is called "alkalosis". In addition to hydrogen ions (H +), which are responsible for the acidity level, there are bases (OH- hydroxyl ions) in liquid media. An increase in the concentration of bases leads to alkalization of the body and the development of compensated or decompensated alkalosis. With the compensated form of alkalosis, the regulators of the acid-base balance of the internal media cope with maintaining the required level of the alkaline component, with the decompensated form of alkalosis, the concentration of bases increases so much that the regulatory systems can no longer cope with the equalization of indicators to normal or the functions of the regulators themselves are impaired.

Alkalosis reasons:

Hyperventilation of the lungs - with rapid deep breathing (for example, with panic, fear, holding your breath, when rubber floats or balloons are inflated);
Large losses of acidic components - with injuries or fistulas of the stomach (large losses of gastric juice), with indomitable vomiting;
The development of hypernatremia (with severe thirst, with excessive excretion of fluid from the body by sweating or when taking diuretics);
Overdose of bicarbonates in the treatment of acidosis or neutralization of increased acidity of gastric juice;
Pathological conditions associated with electrolyte imbalance.

Alkalosis signs:

Dizziness,
Pallor,
Anxiety,
Nervous excitement builds up,
Perhaps the development of muscle paresthesias (numbness) in the limbs,
Shortness of breath (rapid breathing),
Tachycardia is possible,
Increased fatigue,
Disturbances of attention and memory,
Blood pressure drops,
Diuresis (urine volume over a certain period of time) increases,
Feels thirsty,
There is a risk of dehydration,
With a sharp transition from a horizontal position to a vertical one, orthostatic collapse may occur - darkening in the eyes, fainting against a background of low pressure.

Treatment for alkalosis depends on the reasons that provoked it. If alkalosis develops against a background of nervous shock, panic, hysteria, fear, then it is necessary to use any means to calm down (valerian, corvalol, novopassit), normalize breathing (try to breathe not deeply and slowly), protect the victim from the traumatic factor (or factors). Alkalosis caused by pathological conditions of organs and their systems is treated in a hospital. Treatment depends on the symptoms and is carried out according to the identified pathologies. With gas alkalosis, inhalation with carbogen is used, hyperventilation of the lungs is eliminated by taking sedatives and tranquilizers. According to the indications for various types of alkalosis, ammonium chloride, potassium chloride, a 1% solution of HCl in drops are administered, vomiting, diarrhea are stopped, sodium ions are excreted by the kidneys, physiological saline solutions and plentiful drinking are prescribed for dehydration.