Respiratory alkalosis: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
{{SI}} | {{SI}} | ||
{{CMG}} | {{CMG}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
'''Respiratory alkalosis''' results from increased [[alveoli|alveolar]] respiration ([[hyperventilation]]) leading to decreased plasma [[carbon dioxide]] concentration. This leads to decreased hydrogen ion and [[bicarbonate]] concentrations. | '''Respiratory alkalosis''' results from increased [[alveoli|alveolar]] respiration ([[hyperventilation]]) leading to decreased plasma [[carbon dioxide]] concentration. This leads to decreased hydrogen ion and [[bicarbonate]] concentrations. | ||
==Types== | |||
==Types== | |||
There are two types of respiratory alkalosis: chronic and acute. | There are two types of respiratory alkalosis: chronic and acute. | ||
| Line 25: | Line 23: | ||
* In ''chronic respiratory alkalosis'', for every 10 mM drop in pCO<sub>2</sub> in blood, there is a corresponding 5 mM of bicarbonate ion drop. The drop of 5 mM of bicarbonate ion is a compensation effect which reduces the alkalosis effect of the drop in pCO<sub>2</sub> in blood. This is termed metabolic compensation. | * In ''chronic respiratory alkalosis'', for every 10 mM drop in pCO<sub>2</sub> in blood, there is a corresponding 5 mM of bicarbonate ion drop. The drop of 5 mM of bicarbonate ion is a compensation effect which reduces the alkalosis effect of the drop in pCO<sub>2</sub> in blood. This is termed metabolic compensation. | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
Causes of the alveolar hyperventilation seen in respiratory alkalosis include: | Causes of the alveolar hyperventilation seen in respiratory alkalosis include: | ||
| Line 38: | Line 35: | ||
In addition, a respiratory alkalosis is often produced accidentally by doctors ([[iatrogenic]]ally) during [[mechanical ventilation]] of patients. | In addition, a respiratory alkalosis is often produced accidentally by doctors ([[iatrogenic]]ally) during [[mechanical ventilation]] of patients. | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis are related to the decreased blood carbon dioxide levels, and include peripheral [[paraesthesiae]]. In addition, the alkalosis may disrupt calcium ion balance, and cause the symptoms of [[hypocalcaemia]] (such as [[tetany]]) with no fall in total serum calcium levels. | Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis are related to the decreased blood carbon dioxide levels, and include peripheral [[paraesthesiae]]. In addition, the alkalosis may disrupt calcium ion balance, and cause the symptoms of [[hypocalcaemia]] (such as [[tetany]]) with no fall in total serum calcium levels. | ||
==Related Chapters== | ==Related Chapters== | ||
* [[Metabolic alkalosis]] | * [[Metabolic alkalosis]] | ||
* [[Respiratory acidosis]] | * [[Respiratory acidosis]] | ||
* [[Hypocalcemia]] | * [[Hypocalcemia]] | ||
[[Category:Electrolyte disturbance]] | [[Category:Electrolyte disturbance]] | ||
[[Category:Inborn errors of metabolism]] | [[Category:Inborn errors of metabolism]] | ||
[[Category:Medical tests]] | [[Category:Medical tests]] | ||
[[Category:Laboratory Test]] | [[Category:Laboratory Test]] | ||
{{WikiDoc Help Menu}} | {{WikiDoc Help Menu}} | ||
{{WikiDoc Sources}} | {{WikiDoc Sources}} | ||
Revision as of 23:12, 2 September 2012
| Respiratory alkalosis | |
 | |
|---|---|
| Davenport diagram | |
| ICD-10 | E87.3 |
| ICD-9 | 276.3 |
| DiseasesDB | 406 |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Respiratory alkalosis results from increased alveolar respiration (hyperventilation) leading to decreased plasma carbon dioxide concentration. This leads to decreased hydrogen ion and bicarbonate concentrations.
==Types==
There are two types of respiratory alkalosis: chronic and acute.
- In acute respiratory alkalosis, increased levels of carbon dioxide are "blown off" by the lungs, which are hyperventilating. During acute respiratory alkalosis, the person may lose consciousness where the rate of ventilation will resume to normal.
- In chronic respiratory alkalosis, for every 10 mM drop in pCO2 in blood, there is a corresponding 5 mM of bicarbonate ion drop. The drop of 5 mM of bicarbonate ion is a compensation effect which reduces the alkalosis effect of the drop in pCO2 in blood. This is termed metabolic compensation.
Causes
Causes of the alveolar hyperventilation seen in respiratory alkalosis include:
- anxiety, hysteria and stress
- moving into high altitude areas, when the low atmospheric pressure of oxygen stimulates increased ventilation
- pyrexia in fever, which stimulates the respiratory centre in the brainstem
- drugs, including doxapram and large doses of aspirin, which also stimulate the respiratory centre
- CNS causes, including stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage, meningitis
- pregnancy
- a hypoxic drive in lung disease, such as pneumonia
- caffeine overdose and coffee abuse
In addition, a respiratory alkalosis is often produced accidentally by doctors (iatrogenically) during mechanical ventilation of patients.
Symptoms
Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis are related to the decreased blood carbon dioxide levels, and include peripheral paraesthesiae. In addition, the alkalosis may disrupt calcium ion balance, and cause the symptoms of hypocalcaemia (such as tetany) with no fall in total serum calcium levels.