Metabolic alkalosis (synonym: alkalosis, metabolic; ICD-10-GM E87.3B: alkalosis: metabolic) is caused by a metabolic disorder characterized by an increase in bicarbonate or loss of hydrogen ions. As a result, blood pH rises above 7.45.
This acid-base balance disorder is caused by metabolism.
The following forms of metabolic alkalosis are distinguished:
- Addition alkalosis – caused by excessive intake of basic equivalents (sodium bicarbonate, citrate, lactate).
- Subtraction alkalosis – loss of acid equivalents or protons due to chronic vomiting (loss of acidic gastric juice, e.g., in bulimia (binge eating)), gastric lavage, therapy with diuretics (dehydrating agents), hypoalbuminemia (decreased level of albumin in the blood; e.g., in liver failure).
Course and prognosis: the body compensates for metabolic alkalosis by decreased ventilation (decreased ventilation of the respiratory tract (respiratory system) during breathing). As a result, pCO2 increases and pH is decreased. However, respiration cannot be reduced at will due to the body’s need for oxygen.
Metabolic alkalosis can lead to dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. However, severe metabolic alkalosis is very rare.
