Why does excessive vomiting cause metabolic alkalosis?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking why excessive vomiting leads to metabolic alkalosis, which involves understanding the physiological and biochemical processes involved in this condition.
Answer
Loss of gastric secretions rich in HCl.
Excessive vomiting causes metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of gastric secretions rich in hydrochloric acid (HCl), leading to an increase in bicarbonate ions in the extracellular space.
Answer for screen readers
Excessive vomiting causes metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of gastric secretions rich in hydrochloric acid (HCl), leading to an increase in bicarbonate ions in the extracellular space.
More Information
During vomiting, the loss of hydrochloric acid leads to an increase in bicarbonate in the blood, causing the body's pH to rise.
Tips
A common mistake is not considering the role of gastric secretions in this process.
Sources
- Metabolic Alkalosis: Overview - emedicine.medscape.com
- Metabolic Alkalosis - Merck Manual Professional Edition - merckmanuals.com
- Pathogenesis of metabolic alkalosis - uptodate.com
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