# Alkalosis
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**Alkalosis** is when the [[acid-base balance|pH balance]] of one's blood is dangerously high, or in other words, dangrously basic. Among other things, alkalosis can cause the [[oxygen-hemoglobin saturation curve]] to shift right, making O2 bind more tightly to hemoglobin
Alkalosis is either metabolic or respiratory in origin.
## Respiratory Alkalosis
**Respiratory alkalosis** is caused by the lungs removing too much CO2 (which is an acid) from circulation too quickly. Since this is pretty much only ever caused by [[respiration rate|hyperventilation]], it typically resolves on its own.
Signs and symptoms of respiratory alkalosis are:
- tachycardia
- numbness/tingling
- light headedness
Removing CO2 is one of the principal ways that the body maintains a [[acid-base balance|pH balance]], and can act faster than the metabolic route, so we don't often see it compensated.
## Metabolic Alkalosis
**Metabolic alkalosis** can be caused by several conditions, by is generally something that cause too much [[bicarbonate]] (HCO3-) in the bloodstream. Normally bicarbonate is produced in the kidneys (I'm pretty sure), but too much is a bad thing. Another cause is an influx of too much basic substances, such as taking too many antacids (which contain bicarbonate) or a massive [[blood transfusion|transfusion]] of whole blood (for some reason).
- acid loss
- Bicarbonate is a byproduct of how those acids are replaced, raising the pH of the blood.
- use of [[diuretics]]
- H+ is excreted
- excessive vomiting/gi suction
- [[potassium|hypokalemia]]
- H+ is moved into the cells from the bloodstream
- excessive base
- overuse of antacids
- massive transfusion of whole blood
- there's something in there that turns into bicarbonate
Signs and symptoms of metabolic alkalosis are:
- confusion
- n/v/dihrea
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