Respiratory alkalosis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Respiratory alkalosis is a condition marked by a low level of carbon dioxide in the blood due to breathing excessively.

T Causes
P Common causes include:
- Anxiety or panic
- Fever
- Overbreathing (hyperventilation)
- Pregnancy (this is normal)
- Pain
P Any lung disease that leads to shortness of breath can also cause respiratory alkalosis (such as pulmonary embolism and asthma).

T Symptoms
P The symptoms may include:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Numbness of the hands and feet

T Exams and Tests
P Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. Tests that may be done include:
- Arterial blood gas, which measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood
- Basic metabolic panel
- Chest x-ray
- Pulmonary function tests to measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning

T Treatment
P Treatment is aimed at the condition that causes respiratory alkalosis. Breathing into a paper bag -- or using a mask that causes you to re-breathe carbon dioxide -- sometimes helps reduce symptoms when anxiety is the main cause of the condition.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P Outlook depends on the condition that is causing the respiratory alkalosis.

T Possible Complications
P Seizures may occur if the alkalosis is extremely severe. This is very rare.

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your provider if you have any symptoms of lung disease, such as long-term (chronic) cough or shortness of breath.

T Alternative Names
P Alkalosis - respiratory

T Images
- Respiratory system

T References
P Effros RM, Swenson ER. Acid-base balance. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 7.
P Seifter JL. Acid-base disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 118.

T Review Date 8/21/2016
P Updated by: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

