Have you ever felt like your breathing rate just increases due to fear or anxiety, or your head feels dizzy or your limbs feel numb? Or does it happen when you have a fever? This is one aspect of the condition called Respiratory Alkalosis that we are going to talk about today. There is nothing to be afraid of, let's understand this simply.
Simply put, what is Respiratory Alkalosis?
Respiratory Alkalosis is when the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood decreases, causing the acid-base balance of your blood to change. The measurement of this balance is called the pH value. In this case, the pH value of your blood increases above normal levels. Think about it, when we breathe in oxygen, we take in carbon dioxide, and when we exhale, we release carbon dioxide. But when you breathe too fast, that is,
when you hyperventilate , you release more carbon dioxide than your body needs. That is when the carbon dioxide level in your blood decreases and the pH value increases. Normally, the pH value of your blood should be between 7.35 and 7.45. When it increases above 7.45, we call it Alkalosis.
Difference Between Respiratory Acidosis and Alkalosis
These two are two opposite situations.
- Respiratory Alkalosis: Blood pH value above 7.45 (blood becomes alkaline).
- Respiratory Acidosis: A decrease in the blood pH value below 7.35 (acidification of the blood).
What symptoms might you experience in this situation?
When this condition occurs, each person may experience different symptoms. But there are some symptoms that are most common. Let's see what they are.
| Symptom | How it feels |
|---|
| Dizziness/lightheadedness | It may feel like there is no weight inside your head, and it may be difficult to stand. |
| Confusion | You may feel confused about where you are or what you are doing. |
| Numbness (Paresthesia) | It feels like your limbs are asleep, like ants are running around. This can be felt especially around the lips and on the fingertips. |
| Chest tightness | It feels like it's hard to breathe, like someone is squeezing your chest. |
| Nausea | Feeling nauseous, like you're about to vomit. |
| Tiredness | Feeling so helpless that you can't do anything. |
Why is this happening? What are the reasons?
As we discussed earlier, the main reason for this is rapid breathing, which is called `(hyperventilation)`. But the question is, why do we breathe so fast? There can be many reasons for this. The lungs, kidneys, and other systems work together to maintain the chemical balance of our body. It is like balancing a cork bridge. The balance between carbon dioxide `(CO2)`, water `(H2O)`, bicarbonate `(HCO3)`, and hydrogen `(H+)` ions is important here. When we breathe fast, `CO2` is released and this balance is disrupted. Here are some of the main reasons that affect this `(hyperventilation)` condition:
| Reason | How does it affect? |
|---|
| Psychological reasons | During times of severe anxiety and panic attacks, our breathing rate increases without us even realizing it. |
| Physical reasons | Breathing can also increase due to changes in the body, such as severe pain, high fever, pregnancy, liver disease, and hyperthyroidism. |
| Serious medical conditions | In severe infections such as sepsis, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia, the body's oxygen levels drop. In response, the body tries to breathe faster. |
| Other reasons | This can also be caused by taking an overdose of drugs such as aspirin, head injuries, nicotine use (smoking), and being connected to an artificial respirator (mechanical ventilation). |
How does a doctor find this?
If you have these symptoms, the first thing a doctor will do is ask you a question. Then, they may do a few tests to confirm the condition and find the cause. The most important test is
an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) test. This involves taking a small sample of blood from an artery in your wrist and measuring the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in it, as well as the pH. In addition, they may do the following tests to find the cause:
How is it treated?
The important thing to understand here is that doctors do not treat the condition called Respiratory Alkalosis itself.
They treat the underlying medical condition that caused it. For example, if the cause is an infection, your doctor will give you antibiotics . If the cause is a blood clot in your lungs, you will be given anticoagulants to dissolve it.
If you are constantly experiencing anxiety and your breathing rate increases, there are treatments available. Breathing exercises and counseling can help. Some people may also need medication. You may have heard of breathing into a paper bag when you are anxious. This involves breathing back in the carbon dioxide you exhale. This can help lower your blood CO2 levels. However,
it is important to consult a doctor before doing this. When should I see a doctor? When should I go to the ETU?
This is a very important question because sometimes there can be a serious reason behind it.
When to see a doctor
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned in this article frequently, or if you feel like you're constantly breathing faster,
see a doctor as soon as possible. This will help determine the cause and provide the necessary treatment.
If you have any of the following serious symptoms, go to a hospital's
Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- If it feels like a fit (Seizures).
- If consciousness is impaired, if you cannot understand what is happening around you (altered mental state).
- If your lips, fingernails, or skin turn blue.
- If you feel severely weak.
- Loss of consciousness.
Can this situation be prevented?
Because there are many causes of respiratory alkalosis, not all of them can be prevented. But there are some things you can do to reduce your risk:
- Manage stress and anxiety. Things like meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can help. Seek professional help if needed.
- Avoid smoking, vaping, or using products containing nicotine.
- Protect yourself from infections. Wash your hands often and get your vaccinations on time.
Our body is like an orchestra. Every organ is connected to each other and works in harmony to keep the body in balance. Sometimes, one part, like the part that controls breathing, goes out of tune. That's when conditions like alkalosis occur. Most of the time, respiratory alkalosis is not dangerous. But the cause can be serious. Therefore, if you have symptoms, it is wise to see a doctor and find out the cause without ignoring them.
Take-Home Message
- Respiratory alkalosis is a condition in which rapid breathing causes a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood and an increase in the pH of the blood.
- Symptoms such as dizziness, numbness in the limbs, and lightheadedness are common.
- Although this condition is not dangerous, the underlying disease that causes it (e.g., infection, blood clots in the lungs) can be serious.
- The treatment is not for the condition of alkalosis, but for the underlying disease that caused it.
- If these symptoms occur frequently, see a doctor. If you have serious symptoms such as loss of consciousness or a fit, go to the ETU immediately.
Respiratory Alkalosis, hyperventilation, increased breathing rate, dizziness, numbness of the limbs, blood pH, carbon dioxide, respiratory alkalosis
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