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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