alkalemia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “alkalemia” mean?
A medical condition characterized by an abnormally high pH level in the blood.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical condition characterized by an abnormally high pH level in the blood.
A pathological state where blood pH rises above the normal range (typically above 7.45), indicating excessive alkalinity in the bloodstream, often resulting from metabolic or respiratory disturbances.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American medical English.
Connotations
Identical clinical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both medical communities, appearing primarily in specialized literature and clinical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “alkalemia” in a Sentence
alkalemia + caused by + [cause]alkalemia + resulting from + [cause]alkalemia + treated with + [treatment]alkalemia + characterized by + [symptoms]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alkalemia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The condition may alkalemise the patient's blood if untreated.
- Vomiting can alkalemise the bloodstream over time.
American English
- The treatment could alkalemize the patient's blood.
- Hyperventilation may alkalemize the bloodstream rapidly.
adverb
British English
- The blood tested alkalemically abnormal.
- The patient presented alkalemically compromised.
American English
- The results came back alkalemically elevated.
- The system responded alkalemically to the stimulus.
adjective
British English
- The alkalemic patient required immediate intervention.
- Alkalemic states complicate certain drug therapies.
American English
- The alkalemic condition was documented in the chart.
- Alkalemic patients often exhibit specific symptoms.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Used exclusively in medical and biochemical research papers, clinical studies, and pharmacology texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in clinical medicine, critical care, nephrology, and respiratory therapy documentation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alkalemia”
- Misspelling as 'alkalimia' or 'alkalema'.
- Using interchangeably with 'alkalosis' without understanding the subtle distinction.
- Pronouncing with stress on second syllable instead of third: /ælˈkeɪlimiə/ instead of /ˌælkəˈliːmiə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While often used interchangeably, alkalemia specifically refers to the elevated blood pH state, whereas alkalosis describes the pathological process that causes the alkalemia.
Common causes include excessive vomiting, diuretic use, hyperventilation, and certain endocrine disorders that affect acid-base balance.
Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause, which may involve fluid replacement, electrolyte correction, or addressing respiratory issues.
Severe alkalemia can be dangerous as it affects multiple organ systems, potentially causing cardiac arrhythmias, neurological symptoms, and impaired oxygen delivery to tissues.
A medical condition characterized by an abnormally high pH level in the blood.
Alkalemia is usually technical/medical in register.
Alkalemia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌælkəˈliːmiə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌælkəˈlimiə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'alkali' (basic/opposite of acid) + 'emia' (blood condition) = alkaline blood condition.
Conceptual Metaphor
BLOOD IS A CHEMICAL SOLUTION (with pH as a key measurable property).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of alkalemia?