For example, they may control diabetes with insulin or treat poisoning by removing the toxic substance from the blood. Occasionally dialysis is needed to treat severe overdoses and poisonings. Metabolic acidosis may also be treated directly. If the acidosis is mild, intravenous fluids and treatment for the underlying disorder may be all that's needed. Metabolic Alkalosis Metabolic alkalosis is a condition in which the blood is alkaline because of an inappropriately high level of bicarbonate.
Metabolic alkalosis develops when the body loses too much acid.
In rare cases, metabolic alkalosis develops in a person who has ingested too much alkali from substances such as bicarbonate of soda. In addition, metabolic alkalosis can develop when excessive loss of sodium or potassium affects the kidneys' ability to control the blood's acid-base balance. Symptoms and Diagnosis Metabolic alkalosis may cause irritability, muscle twitching, and muscle cramps, or no symptoms at all. A sample of blood taken from an artery usually shows that the blood is alkaline. A sample of blood taken from a vein contains high levels of bicarbonate.