Understanding Respiratory Alkalosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Breathing more forcefully and deeply is a sign that respiratory alkalosis is likely to develop. However, low carbon dioxide in the blood has a number of side effects, including:

Rapid breathing – This is a main symptom in which the person's breathing rate is abnormally fast.

Dizziness or fainting - Due to rapid breathing, there is lack of CO2 in the blood, due to which it is not supplied to the brain.

Swelling or coldness in hands and feet – Lack of CO2 causes alkalinity in the blood, which can cause swelling or coldness in hands and feet.

Clogged muscle pores: Low CO2 causes muscle pores to shrink, which can lead to muscle tingling and pain.

Apart from this, you may experience any one or more of these symptoms: dizziness, feeling light-headed, numbness in the hands and feet or muscle cramps, chest discomfort, confusion, dry mouth, tingling in the hands, difficulty in breathing. , then you should contact the doctor. Timely recognition and treatment of respiratory alkalosis is extremely important.

(Read more - First aid for difficulty breathing)

• heart attack

• Pain

• drug use

• asthma

• Fever

• Infection

• pregnancy

• Hyperventilation: Rapid breathing, caused by anxiety, panic attacks, pain, fever, or low oxygen levels.

• Central nervous system disorders: conditions such as stroke, brain injury, or brain tumor

• Lung diseases: pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• High altitude: Due to low oxygen level at high altitude, breathing becomes faster.

Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis include dizziness, lightheadedness, numbness or tingling in the limbs, confusion, muscle twitches and even fainting.

(Read more - Shortness of Breath: symptoms, causes, treatment )

Treatment of respiratory alkalosis depends on its cause. As -

If it is due to nervousness and anxiety

If there is heavy breathing due to nervousness and anxiety, then these remedies can be done for respiratory alkalosis - breathe into a paper bag, fill the paper bag with carbon dioxide while exhaling, and return the exhaled air from the bag to the lungs. Insert, repeat this several times, doing this several times can help the body get back the required carbon dioxide levels.

keep your mind calm

Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis often cause rapid and deep breathing, making the condition worse. In such a situation, try to keep yourself calm.

filling the lungs with limited oxygen

In this, try to breathe through each nostril and cover the mouth and the other nostril.

due to altitude

If these symptoms occur due to living in a high place, then the person should come to a lower altitude.

breathing exercises

This can be controlled by practicing breathing.

medical treatment

If the condition of respiratory alkalosis is severe, medical treatment may be required. A treatment option may be to increase the carbon dioxide level in the blood, thereby balancing the pH level of the blood.

regular monitoring

If anyone has this type of problem, do regular monitoring, especially if you have severe respiratory problems.

other reason

Ways to cure respiratory alkalosis are very easy, people who often overbreathe due to anxiety can use these methods at home. However, as a matter of caution, if someone is experiencing rapid breathing for the first time, they should immediately go to the hospital because the symptoms of excessive breathing are similar to the symptoms of other serious health conditions.

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The most common causes of respiratory alkalosis are psychological factors such as: stress, nervousness and anxiety. If you learn to control them, respiratory alkalosis can also be controlled. Working with a therapist may help. You can also do breathing exercises, meditation and regular exercise. Medication may be required in some cases.

(Read more - Deep breathing exercises and their benefits)