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Introduction
Alkalosis is described as a condition in which there is abnormally excessive amount of base (alkali) or bicarbonate in the body with loss of acid. Consequently, the pH increases above 7.45 in the body tissues. It can also be due to low levels of carbon dioxide due to rapid breathing as seen in respiratory alkalosis.
The kidney and the lungs are the organs that maintain the acid base balance in the body. Decreased carbon dioxide (acid) or increased bicarbonate (base) causes the body to be more alkaline and the pH increases leading to a condition called as alkalosis.
Epidemiology:
Respiratory alkalosis is studied to be a common condition. According to two large studies of hospitalized patients whose arterial blood samples were assessed, respiratory alkalosis was seen to be present in 22.5% to 44.7%. In a study in Japan, postoperative metabolic alkalosis was observed in about 50.5% patients. A high rate of mortality of 32.3% was seen among patients with continued alkalosis in following surgeries
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