Metabolic Medicine Made Simple : Metabolic Alkalosis

}()); Metabolic Alkalosis :

Human blood pH is maintained between 7.35 - 7.45.

This is done by various mechanisms the most significant being regulation of CO2, carbonate and hydrogen atoms by the lungs and the kidneys.





A pH of more than 7.45 is considered alkalosis and a pH of less than 7.35 is considered acidosis.




The pCO2 and HCO3- values can then be used to differentiate between a respiratory or a metabolic cause of acid base disturbance.

The normal HCO3- is 24 meq/l and the normal PCO2 is 40 mmHg.



Any deviation from these normal values is indicative of an acid base disorder.

Metabolic acid base disorders are due to a primary change in concentration of HCO3 while respiratory acid base disorders are due to a primary change in PCO2.


Main causes of Metabolic Alkalosis includes :

Exogenous administration of an alkali.

Removal of acidic gastric secretions due to vomiting or NG tube aspiration.

Renal Hydrogen ion loss due to mineralocorticoid excess

Contraction Alkalosis.