The Brain and Spine Institute is made up of experts in the field of neuroscience in order to bring patients the best healthcare in East Tennessee for a full range of neurological diseases and disorders.
myClipboard
myClipboard
Save news, events, articles and doctor's information to your personal clipboard for later reference.
Add items by clicking the 
button.
Create an account
Centers of Excellence
-
-
We provide a comprehensive continuum of cancer services, including prevention, outreach, diagnostic, treatment and support services delivered by our highly skilled staff with compassion and care.
-
The Center for Women & Children's Health is a hub for supporting women's and children's individual healthcare needs. The center provides support, research and unmatched patient-centered care.
-
Emergency and Trauma Services is the only Level I Trauma Center in the area and serves as the tertiary referral center for medical care in East Tennessee, serving Knox County and 21 surrounding counties.
-
The Heart Lung Vascular Institute brings together expertise in clinical care, teaching and research. Patients receive exceptional healthcare combined with patient-centered care.
Share
Print
Related Media
Respiratory alkalosis
Definition
Respiratory alkalosis is a condition marked by low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood due to breathing excessively.
See also: Alkalosis
Alternative Names
Alkalosis - respiratory
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Common causes include:
- Anxiety
- Fever
Any lung disease that leads to shortness of breath can also cause respiratory alkalosis.
Symptoms
The symptoms may include:
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Numbness of the hands and feet
Signs and tests
- Arterial blood gas (measures levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood; in respiratory alkalosis, the level of carbon dioxide is too low)
- Chest x-ray
- Pulmonary function test
Treatment
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.
Support Groups
Expectations (prognosis)
What will happen depends on the condition that is causing the respiratory alkalosis.
Complications
Seizures may occur if the alkalosis is extremely severe. This is very rare.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of lung disease, such as chronic cough or shortness of breath.
Prevention
References
Seifter JL. Acid base disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 119.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).