endocrine and metabolic disorders
Respiratory Alkalosis
Symptoms and Signs of Respiratory Alkalosis
Symptoms and signs depend on the rate and degree of fall in Pco2. Acute respiratory alkalosis causes light-headedness, confusion, peripheral and circumoral paresthesias, cramps, and syncope. Mechanism is thought to be change in cerebral blood flow and pH. Tachypnea or hyperpnea is often the only sign; carpopedal spasm may occur in severe cases due to decreased levels of ionized calcium in the blood (driven inside cells in exchange for hydrogen ion [H+]). Chronic respiratory alkalosis is usually asymptomatic and has no distinctive signs. 