Diagnosis
The diagnosis can be made by a physician using a so-called blood gas analysis (BGA), in which pH, standard bicarbonate, base deviation, partial pressures and O2 saturation are measured. The following values indicate alkalosis: Furthermore, the determination of chloride excretion in urine can be diagnostically valuable. In metabolic alkalosis, which is caused by vomiting and loss of gastric acid, the chloride concentration in urine is very low. In addition, it is always important that the patient fills in a detailed medical history, which may reveal certain medication or underlying diseases that can explain alkalosis. – Base deviation positive: Base excess= metabolic alkalosis,
- Carbon dioxide partial pressure reduced: respiratory alkalosis,
- O2 saturation lowered: ventilation disturbances = alkalosis,
- Hypokalemia: metabolic alkalosis
How does potassium change during alkalosis?
In metabolically caused alkalosis, the potassium level in the blood is lower than normal. It is also known as hypokalemia. In the case of alkalosis, potassium ions migrate into the intracellular space.
This can be explained by the fact that the pH value rises excessively during alkalosis and the body reacts to this by introducing more potassium into the cells. However, this leads to a potassium deficiency in the serum. The following articles may also be of interest to you:
- This can be explained by electrolyte loss through vomiting and diarrhoea, in which potassium is excreted and the serum potassium level can drop below 3.6 mmol/l. – The potassium level can also be lowered by taking certain dehydrating agents (diuretics). – Detecting a potassium deficiency
- Hypokalemia
Alkalosis can be recognized by these symptoms
Respiratory alkalosis can occur with hyperventilation. In this case the patient feels breathless despite increased respiration. This can cause panic and lead to respiratory alkalosis.
If respiratory alkalosis develops, paresthesia can occur, which manifests itself as unpleasant sensations in certain areas of the skin. A painless “tingling” sensation occurs because proteins in the blood give off their protons and then absorb the double positively charged calcium from the serum. A relative lack of calcium develops, which can cause tingling and muscle cramps (tetany).
In the worst case, a so-called paw position in the hands can occur. Hyperventilation also results in a low pCO2 level, which leads to vasoconstriction. This can lead to headaches, dizziness and impaired vision.
- Cold sweats,
- Shaking,
- Fake,
- Heart palpitations and
- Headache coming. The potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) causes changes especially in muscle cells, as these are particularly sensitive to altered potassium concentrations. This can lead to paralysis of the muscles and certain muscle reflexes are weakened.
The effects on the heart muscle are particularly dangerous. Here the hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmia. Furthermore, the muscle cramps are caused by the calcium deficiency already described (hyperventilation tetany). – The free calcium concentration in the blood is reduced, which causes muscles to contract and can lead to cramps.