Respiratory Alkalosis

Respiratory alkalosis (synonym: alkalosis, respiratory; ICD-10-GM E87.3: alkalosis: respiratory) is caused by a disorder of respiration.

Under normal circumstances, sufficient oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is exhaled with each breath, so that the necessary balance in the body is always ensured. In respiratory (breathing-related) alkalosis, there is increased breathing with increased respiratory rate (hyperventilation). This results in too much “acidic” CO2 being exhaled by the lungs and the blood pH rising above 7.36.

The most common cause of respiratory alkalosis is psychogenic hyperventilation, which occurs out of full health. It is triggered by anxiety or stress, among other things.

Sex ratio: women are more often affected than men.

Frequency peak: psychogenic hyperventilation occurs predominantly in females during puberty to young adulthood.

Course and prognosis: The course and prognosis of respiratory alkalosis depends on the underlying disease. In psychogenic hyperventilation, the therapy must be rebreathing of exhaled air, for example, using a bag.