{"id":10231,"date":"2019-09-05T15:44:46","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T15:44:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=10231"},"modified":"2021-06-28T14:42:26","modified_gmt":"2021-06-28T14:42:26","slug":"14-common-causes-of-alkalosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-common-causes-of-alkalosis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Causes of Alkalosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alkalosis is a condition that occurs when a person fails to breathe in enough carbon dioxide, and the PH levels become incorrect. If the body becomes too acidic, the organs start to shut down, and a person may experience some severe symptoms. In many cases, alkalosis can be reversed with proper breathing techniques. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it is in the later stages or if a person has been suffering from alkalosis for a while, it may require medical treatment for correction. Some people suffer from the condition chronically due to a disease or illness. There are certain things that do put a person more at risk for the condition or can cause it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suffer from a disease that can cause alkalosis or participate in an activity that puts you at risk for it, you should be aware of the symptoms and know when to seek medical attention, or how to correct the issue yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Liver Disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alkalosis <\/a>is common in people with liver disease. As the liver disease becomes worse, the risk for alkalosis goes up. When the liver isn\u2019t functioning properly, it can allow acid to build up in the body. This makes the blood more alkaline and causes alkalosis and acidosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This conditions may occur together or separately, and either one can appear first. It can be hard to treat this disorder, and once the liver function drops enough to allow for the condition to appear, it may become chronic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treating the liver disease if possible, may help, but the patient may also have to take medication to help control their PH levels and make the bloody less alkaline. Doctors may monitor their patients who suffer from liver disease and do routine blood and urine tests to determine if the blood is too alkaline and if the patient is at risk for suffering from alkalosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Lack of Oxygen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lack of oxygen <\/a>can cause alkalosis. There are many things that can cause the body to fail to take in enough oxygen or enough carbon dioxide. If a person is choking, is not breathing properly, or if the oxygen quality is poor, their bodies may not be able to breathe in or out enough carbon dioxide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people who suffer from heart problems or other health problems that put them at risk for improper breathing or cause the body to stop taking in oxygen properly are more at risk for alkalosis. In many cases, the problem can be corrected by slowing down the breathing and taking in proper breaths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the person is unable to regain control of their breathing, the alkalosis can become severe and even fatal. People who have health problems that lead to a lack of oxygen often have oxygen machines on hand in case they feel the need to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. High Altitude<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you are at a higher altitude<\/a>, you have less oxygen in the air the breath. Most people can feel the difference and even say that the air is thinner at certain altitudes. When there is less oxygen in the air, the body takes in shallow breaths, and a person starts to breathe faster. Most people do this until they get used to the altitude and the difference in the oxygen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people are not able to breathe at high altitudes for a long period of time. They struggle to regulate their breathing, and the body doesn\u2019t adapt to the changes. They continue to breathe shallowly and quickly and eventually start to experience the symptoms of alkalosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving to a lower altitude can help the body take in more oxygen and restore levels. Many people don\u2019t move fast enough, and the alkalosis makes it impossible for them to get to a safe place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Fever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When a person suffers from a fever, they often struggle to function as they normally would. They may feel lethargic <\/a>or have other symptoms that are caused by the underlying cause of the fever. All these symptoms can contribute to improper breathing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person may start to take shallow breaths as they try to overcome the fever, and eventually, they may start to suffer from alkalosis. It tends to come on slowly with a fever, but it can be more dangerous because the symptoms can mimic that of other illnesses. A person may struggle to stay awake or may start to become confused. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delirium is common with fevers, and some people think they can sleep off the symptoms. Breathing does typically low during sleep, so sometimes it\u2019s enough to restore carbon dioxide levels and improve the way the person breathes. If a person experiences alkalosis with a fever, it can be dangerous and may require medical attention immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Lung Disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lung disease is a common cause of alkalosis, especially when people suffer from it chronically. If the lungs are not working properly, they can\u2019t breathe in and out enough oxygen and carbon dioxide<\/a>. This can result in chronic alkalosis. The lungs may not be able to expand and contract properly, and the breathing pattern may be sped up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can result in hyperventilation, which puts out too much carbon dioxide. The blood becomes too alkaline, and the symptoms become worse over time. Depending on the severity of the lung disease and how long the person has been suffering from it, the condition may come on quickly or gradually. It can be hard for a person to know if they are suffering from the symptoms of lung disease or something more serious like alkalosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many doctors will monitor their patients if they have lung disease and check the acidity of their blood often. They will also ensure they are aware of the symptoms of alkalosis and know to seek medical attention if they experience them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Aspirin Poisoning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aspirin <\/a>can be used to help thin the blood, reduce the risk of heart attack, and help relieve pain and inflammation. A lot of people take an Aspirin a day for the benefits. Overtime, Aspirin can build up in the body and lead to poisoning. It can also cause metabolic alkalosis, which can be dangerous. It\u2019s more common in women over the age of 60 who take Aspirin daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other medications can also increase the risk of this condition. Aspirin poisoning is more common than most people realize, and alkalosis is just one of the symptoms of this condition. People who experience this problem should stop taking Aspirin immediately and see a doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people are not able to overcome the condition on their own and require medications and even IV treatments to help flush the Aspirin from their bodies. This can also help treat alkalosis and prevent the symptoms from becoming more severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Hyperventilation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hyperventilation <\/a>is one of the leading causes of alkalosis, and it can affect anyone. People often start hyperventilating under extreme stress. They may be injured, scared, or recently endured something traumatic. They fail to control their breathing, and instead of taking in slow, deep, consistent breaths, they start to breathe quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They take in shorter breaths, and the breathing becomes irregular. They breathe out so quickly that they don\u2019t breathe in enough carbon dioxide to regular the PH levels in their bodies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blood becomes more alkaline, and the person starts to experience the symptoms of alkalosis. This can cause them to panic even more and speed up the breathing, making things worse. They may need medical treatment or someone to step in and help them slow down their breathing to restore the proper PH levels in their bodies. While hyperventilation is common, it is still dangerous if not corrected quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Diving or Snorkeling <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When people go scuba diving or snorkeling with full face masks, they tend to hyperventilate. Some people only do this when they are new to the activity and eventually learn to slow their breathing while underwater. The body is not used to breathing underwater, so when it does so, it\u2019s normal for a person to feel slightly panicked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they breathe in and out quickly, they do not get enough carbon dioxide and start to experience the symptoms of alkalosis<\/a>. This is especially dangerous because the person may pass out or experience confusion and stupor while swimming or underwater, and actually drown. People who snorkel or dive often must be aware of the symptoms and should surface and regulate their breathing if they experience symptoms of alkalosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also why you should never swim, snorkel, or dive alone. Certain masks and diving gear are designed to help prevent a person from experiencing this condition.
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