alkalosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific/Medical
Quick answer
What does “alkalosis” mean?
A condition in which the body's fluids and tissues become excessively alkaline.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A condition in which the body's fluids and tissues become excessively alkaline.
A pathological state marked by an abnormal increase in the pH of arterial blood and other body fluids, often resulting from excessive intake or production of alkalis, or from excessive loss of acids.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; spelling and pronunciation are identical. The concept and usage are standardized internationally in medical science.
Connotations
Purely medical, with no cultural or regional connotations.
Frequency
Used with equal frequency in UK and US medical literature.
Grammar
How to Use “alkalosis” in a Sentence
Patient develops alkalosis.Vomiting can cause alkalosis.The diagnosis is alkalosis.Alkalosis may lead to [symptom].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alkalosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient may alkalose if given excessive bicarbonate.
- Prolonged vomiting can alkalose the system.
American English
- The patient may alkalize excessively, leading to alkalosis.
- Hyperventilation can alkalize the blood.
adjective
British English
- The alkalotic patient exhibited tetany.
- An alkalotic state requires careful management.
American English
- The alkalotic patient exhibited tetany.
- Alkalotic blood has a pH above 7.45.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Common in medical and physiology textbooks, research papers, and clinical reports.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in clinical medicine, nursing, biochemistry, and related health sciences.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alkalosis”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alkalosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alkalosis”
- Mispronouncing as 'alka-lowsis' instead of the correct 'al-ka-LO-sis'.
- Misspelling as 'alkalasis' or 'alkaloses'.
- Using it to describe a simple, non-medical alkaline state.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is less common than its opposite, acidosis, but is frequently encountered in specific clinical settings like intensive care, with certain medications, or in cases of severe vomiting.
Yes, severe alkalosis can disrupt normal cellular function, lead to cardiac arrhythmias, and contribute to organ failure if not corrected.
Hyperventilation (breathing too fast and deeply), which blows off too much carbon dioxide, an acidic gas.
Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause (e.g., stopping diuretics, repleting potassium) and, in severe cases, carefully administering acidic agents or acetazolamide under medical supervision.
A condition in which the body's fluids and tissues become excessively alkaline.
Alkalosis is usually technical/scientific/medical in register.
Alkalosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌalkəˈləʊsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌælkəˈloʊsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
'Alkalosis' sounds like 'alkali' + 'osis' (a condition). Think: a condition of too much alkali.
Conceptual Metaphor
BALANCE AS HEALTH, IMBALANCE AS DISEASE. Alkalosis represents a harmful deviation from the body's ideal acid-base balance.
Practice
Quiz
Alkalosis is the opposite physiological state of: