What Causes Metabolic Alkalosis?

Kidney Disease

An individual affected by kidney disease can develop metabolic alkalosis as a complication of their organ failure. The kidneys are responsible for a large portion of maintaining the acid-base balance of an individual's body. The kidneys perform this function by the excretion of alkali compounds in excess of what the body needs. A kidney disease or renal failure patient has kidneys that do not function at a normal capacity, which impairs their ability to excrete any excess bicarbonate from their body. Many kidney disease patients undergo regular dialysis treatments until they can have a transplant. Dialysis methods are known to cause patients to experience issues with a lower than normal blood pH level or the condition of acidosis. This side effect of dialysis is often mediated with a high concentration of bicarbonate in the dialysate. This higher bicarbonate content and the inability of the kidneys to rid the body of it is what produces metabolic alkalosis in kidney disease patients.

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Misuse Of Laxatives

An individual can develop metabolic alkalosis if they engage in the misuse of over-the-counter or prescription laxative medications. Laxatives are utilized to help individuals pass stools that are too hard and difficult to pass without medical intervention. However, some individuals take laxative medications for recreational purposes, such as inducing weight loss. The misuse of laxatives causes diarrhea at a much greater frequency than normal. Laxative abuse can cause an individual to experience diarrhea-induced dehydration that leads to the depletion of their blood volume. The imbalance of acids and bases in the patient's body is due to a disproportionate loss of volume without congruent loss of bicarbonate. Volume loss can also cause alkalosis through a mechanism of renal compensation used to mediate the loss of blood volume. Laxative abuse can also cause a patient to experience acute kidney failure that can also contribute to the development of metabolic alkalosis.

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