Respiratory alkalosis is caused by a below normal level of carbon dioxide in the blood.
When a patient hyperventilates, excesive amounts of air are moved in and out of the lungs, this exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide is too rapid, possibly exceeding 40 breaths/minute.
This rapid breathing causes the patient to exhales too much carbon dioxide. This lowered level of carbon dioxide causes the pH of the blood to increase, leading to alkalosis.
Compensated alkalosis occurs when the body returns the acid/base balance to normal in cases of alkalosis, but bicarbonate and carbon dioxide levels remain abnormal.
Causes
Loss of CO2
-Hyperventilation
Tumors or swelling in the brain or nervous system can also cause hyperventilation.
Other stresses to the body, including pregnancy, liver failure, high elevations, or metabolic acidosis which can also trigger hyperventilation leading to respiratory alkalosis.