Guide To Respiratory Alkalosis Symptoms

Respiratory alkalosis occurs when oxygen and carbon dioxide levels do not balance correctly in the body. Oxygen is what individuals get when they take a deep breath and inhale. When they exhale, they release carbon dioxide into the air. When these two things are not balanced, the body struggles. It happens when an individual's breath is too deep or too fast, making carbon dioxide levels drop dangerously low, which causes immediate concern in the blood, as pH levels begin to change, and the blood can become too alkaline, which means it’s too acidic to function properly. Here are the symptoms patients must be aware of if they think they’re suffering from respiratory alkalosis.

Lightheadedness And Dizziness

Two of the most common symptoms of respiratory alkalosis are lightheadedness and dizziness. When individuals don’t breathe correctly, this happens almost immediately. It’s like being underwater a bit too deep or a bit too long. Patients come up feeling very lightheaded and dizzy, and it’s because their blood became alkaline while they were holding their breath. This is one of the most common and most noticeable symptoms, but it’s not always easy to diagnose when it’s by itself. Many individuals can suffer from these symptoms if they are ill, if they are under the influence, or even if they haven’t had enough water and are suffering from dehydration. It’s important to take note of these symptoms when they occur, but also take note of the other symptoms that come along with it. It’s the combination that typically makes it easier for patients to diagnose what’s going on in their body.

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Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations are not uncommon when respiratory alkalosis happens, and they are a sign of a panic attack or an anxiety attack. While there are other issues that might cause respiratory alkalosis, this is one of the most common. The patient's heart beats faster, and their breath is short. They feel lightheaded and dizzy, and as if they cannot control their breathing. The longer an individual's breath is short and they struggle trying to make it stop, the more likely they are to experience heart palpitations that might feel as if they are being brought on by panic. Medical professionals agree this can be combated by breathing into a paper bag. Individuals should exhale into the bag, and then breathe it back in almost immediately. They should continue to do this as long as it takes to feel like they can breathe more carefully. Patients will notice their head starts to settle down, their heart doesn’t feel as if it is racing, and they're able to calm down. Patients should still see a medical professional, but this can help them calm down faster.

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Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is one of the main symptoms of respiratory alkalosis, and it’s scary. When combined with other symptoms, it’s easy to want to panic. Patients already feel as if breathing is impossible, and now they also feel as if their mouth is so dry they cannot swallow. There’s not much a dry mouth will do to affect an individual's overall health, but it’s uncomfortable. Once patients get their breathing under control using a paper bag to slow their heart rate, they can try sipping water. The best way to handle this health concern is to sip water slowly. Patients should take a break from drinking after a slow sip, and take a few deep inhales and exhales. They can then sip a little more, and repeat the process until they feel the dryness begin to subside. This is not effective if patients continue to panic and forget to control their breathing.

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Shortness Of Breath

When experiencing shortness of breath, individuals might panic even more. Shortness of breath is a very common occurrence when patients are suffering from respiratory alkalosis or a panic attack, and they must handle it correctly when it comes on. To start with, patients are going to need to try and relax their shoulder muscles and neck. They tend to become tense and uptight when individuals cannot breathe correctly, thus, it's important to try to relax them. Once this is done, individuals should try to breathe very slowly through their nose with one inhale and exhale, before repeating the process one time. The next step is to purse the lips, and then take a deep breath in through the nose, letting out slowly through the mouth. Patients can try this a few times until they feel they can better manage their breath. If patients tense up or panic more, it can make breathing even more difficult.

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Muscle Spasms In The Hands And Feet

Muscle spasms in the hands and feet are common when dealing with a panic attack or respiratory alkalosis. When an individual is struggling to breathe correctly, their muscles tend to become stiff. Once this happens, muscle spasms are likely to occur where the muscles are so stiff. This is not something patients can control at the moment, but they shouldn't panic. Individuals need to call a doctor and seek support from someone close to them. If patients have a loved one present while they experience respiratory alkalosis, they can turn to them for comfort and support while trying to manage their breathing. This other person can provide comfort and can even phone a doctor for assistance. Muscle spasms will go away on their own, and so will the other symptoms.