Definition

Noun: A medical condition in which the pH level of the blood is abnormally high, indicating a lower than normal concentration of hydrogen ions. This results in the blood being more alkaline (basic) than the standard physiological range.

Usage

The term is used specifically in medical and clinical contexts to describe a pathological state of the blood's acid-base balance. * The patient's lab results confirmed a state of alkalemia. * Severe vomiting can sometimes lead to alkalemia.

Advanced Usage

• Metabolic alkalemia: A subtype caused by factors such as loss of stomach acid or excessive bicarbonate intake.
  • The diuretic therapy was complicated by the development of metabolic alkalemia.
• Respiratory alkalemia: A subtype caused by hyperventilation, which blows off too much carbon dioxide.
  • Anxiety attacks can trigger respiratory alkalemia.

Variants and Related Words

• Alkalosis (n): Often used interchangeably with "alkalemia" in a general sense, though technically "alkalosis" refers to the process causing the alkaline state, while "alkalemia" describes the specific condition of the blood.
• Alkalemic (adj): Describing a state of or relating to alkalemia.
  • The alkalemic condition required immediate intervention.

Synonyms

• Blood alkalosis

Antonyms

• Acidemia (a condition where the blood pH is abnormally low, indicating higher hydrogen ion concentration)

Noun

1. a blood disorder characterized by a lower concentration of hydrogen ions in the blood (which rises above 7.45 on the pH scale)