Alkalemia & Alkalosis Explained: How Your Body Regulates pH — And Why Alkaline Water Should Be Used in Moderation

What Is Alkalemia / Alkalosis

Your body’s blood operates within a narrow pH window — typically between 7.35 and 7.45. Healthline
When the pH rises above 7.45, this condition is referred to as alkalemia (or, more broadly, alkalosis). Medscape eMedicine
Alkalosis isn’t a single disease but a class of disturbances in acid-base balance. It generally arises from either too much base (e.g. excess bicarbonate) or a loss of acid (e.g. removal of hydrogen ions) in the blood. Merck Manuals

Two main types are commonly described:

• Metabolic alkalosis: When bicarbonate increases or hydrogen ions are lost, often due to vomiting, diuretic use, or loss of stomach acid. Cleveland Clinic
• Respiratory alkalosis: When carbon dioxide levels drop (e.g. from excessive breathing or hyperventilation), reducing acid levels in the blood. Cleveland Clinic

In many cases, the body’s kidneys and lungs work together to restore balance — kidneys adjust bicarbonate levels, and lungs regulate carbon dioxide — but severe or sudden disturbances can overwhelm these compensations. NCBI

What Causes Alkalosis

Several conditions and behaviors can trigger alkalosis:

• Vomiting or vomiting-like fluid loss (e.g. prolonged stomach upset) — losing stomach acid can raise blood alkalinity. Wikipedia
• Use of alkalinizing agents — e.g. excessive antacids, ingesting large amounts of bicarbonate, or drinking highly alkaline substances. Medscape eMedicine
• Diuretic use or severe dehydration / fluid loss — can concentrate bases like bicarbonate in the bloodstream. Medscape eMedicine
• Respiratory causes — hyperventilation (rapid breathing) or other disorders that lower CO₂ can trigger respiratory alkalosis. Cleveland Clinic

When these factors upset your internal balance, symptoms can follow.

Symptoms & Risks of Alkalosis

If alkalosis becomes significant or prolonged, the body’s systems may be affected:

• Neurological: Confusion, dizziness, irritability, or in severe cases, seizures. Healthline
• Muscular & skeletal: Muscle cramps, twitching, spasms, or weakness — due to altered calcium and electrolyte balance. Wikipedia
• Cardiovascular & respiratory: Irregular heartbeat, slowed breathing (as the lungs try to compensate), reduced cardiac output. Cleveland Clinic
• Kidney stress: If bicarbonate levels remain high and the kidneys are overworked to expel it, prolonged strain on renal function may result. NCBI

In mild cases, people may not notice any symptoms. But serious alkalemia requires medical attention — and identifying the underlying cause is essential. WebMD

Alkaline Water — What It Is & Why People Use It

Alkaline water typically has a higher pH (often 8.0–9.5) compared with regular tap water (usually around 7.0). It may also contain added minerals like calcium or magnesium. Verywell Health

Some claimed benefits include improved hydration, acid reflux relief, potential bone health benefits, and improved metabolic markers — but these claims are not strongly supported by large-scale human studies.

Because the human body already maintains a stable internal pH through efficient buffering (lungs and kidneys), drinking alkaline water typically doesn’t dramatically shift blood pH in healthy individuals. PMC

Why Drinking Alkaline Water Should Be Done in Moderation

While moderate consumption is unlikely to cause immediate harm, there are concerns with overconsumption of highly alkaline water:

• Risk of alkalosis (or contributing to it): Excessive intake, especially long-term, could raise systemic pH or disturb electrolyte balance — especially for individuals with kidney problems. Banner Health
• Possible digestive disruption: Overly alkaline water may interfere with stomach acid, affecting digestion and nutrient absorption. Harvard Health
• Electrolyte imbalance: High-pH water (especially with added minerals) could lead to imbalances — e.g. altered calcium or potassium levels — which may affect muscle, nerve or kidney function. Mayo Clinic
• False health expectations: Many of the touted benefits — from detox claims to disease prevention — aren’t backed by strong evidence. Overreliance on alkaline water may lead people to ignore proven dietary and lifestyle strategies. Verywell Health

Medical experts generally view plain water, healthy eating, and balance as sufficient for most people’s hydration and metabolic needs. Mayo Clinic

When Alkalosis Becomes a Medical Issue

If pH imbalance persists and symptoms appear (especially muscle cramps, confusion, irregular heartbeat, or kidney stress), medical evaluation is important. Doctors may check:

• Blood gases and electrolytes (bicarbonate, CO₂, pH) to assess acid-base status. Medscape eMedicine
• Kidney and lung function — because both organs play central roles in pH regulation. NCBI
• Underlying causes — such as vomiting, overuse of antacids, dehydration, diuretics, or respiratory disorders. Merck Manuals

Treatments may include restoring fluid and electrolyte balance, correcting kidney or lung issues, or temporarily lowering bicarbonate levels — but only under medical supervision. Medscape eMedicine

Bottom Line: Balance is Everything

Your body’s acid-base balance is finely tuned — it doesn’t need drastic pH interventions. Alkalosis (alkalemia) is a real medical condition with potential risks, especially if caused or exacerbated by external behavior.

Drinking alkaline water isn’t inherently dangerous — but moderation matters. For most healthy people, plain water, balanced nutrition, and sensible hydration are more than sufficient. If you choose alkaline water, treat it like any supplement: inform yourself, stay attentive to your body, and don’t rely on it for unproven health claims.