Urinary Alkalinization

Urinary Alkalinization – General Information

Urinary Alkalinization is characterized by an increased pH of the patient’s urine; this is probably due to the administrating of alkalinizing agents which can include sodium bicarbonate. Generally, urine is an amber colored fluid that is filtered by the patient’s kidney from the bloodstream. It contains a high quantity of water, and small quantities of salts, proteins, waste products, which are also known as urea, a pigment and a certain acid. Each day, the kidney filters 1.5 liters of urine, which passes into two fine tubes called ureters to the patient’s bladder. After the urine reached into the bladder, it passes into the urethra, which opens to the outside through a sphincter, which can be voluntary controlled. Urine is generally acidic in the first part of the day and becomes alkaline in the second part of the day, after several meals.

There are cases in which Urinary Alkalinization can be associated with Proteus urinary tract infection or with other rare diseases that can include metabolic alkalosis and excessive ingestion of certain medications. Urinary Alkalinization is a condition that tends to greatly affect adolescents that present eating disorders. Generally, the disease presents a higher incidence in male patients than in female patients, especially in the subgroups of trauma and inherited enzyme disorders. Concerning the age of the patient affected by this medical condition, it may appear more often in infants, toddlers, and adolescents who suffer from inherited enzyme disorder of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, or who suffer from certain myophaties such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and malignant hyperthermia.

Urinary Alkalinization – Symptoms

Urinary Alkalinization – Treatment

In most cases, the treatment for Urinary Alkalinization consists of one major medicine known as Bicitra. This kind of drug can also be used to treat metabolic acidosis or certain kidney disorders such as kidney stones. It can also be used for other types of medical conditions determined by the patient’s doctor. In general, the Bicitra medicine is an alkalinizing medicine. It acts by neutralizing the excess acid in the patient’s blood and urine. It is very important not to administrate this medicine if the patient is suffering from allergies to any ingredient of Bicitra, if he has aluminum toxicity, untreated Addison disorder, low or no urine production, high blood potassium, congestive heart failure, heart damage, severe kidney dysfunctions, and if the patient is dehydrated. This medicine must be administrated as the health care provider recommends. Also, the patient should read carefully the label to know the exact doses that he must take and when. Any patient who suffers from Urinary Alkalinization must remember to take this medicine at bedtime or after the main meals unless his health care provided directed something else. In order to administrate the exact dose, the patient should use a special marked device. Bicitra must be always shaken before being used and it is advisable to mix it with water before drinking it. Then, you may swallow additional quantities of water if you want. In the case you forgot to take a dose of Bicitra, you must take it as soon as you can, but always have in mind not to take two doses twice because you can provoke medicine overdose ingestion. For any further information, you can talk to your pharmacist or you can consult with your health care provider.

Another medicine used to treat Urinary Alkalinization is Oracit, known as an alkalinizing agent that usually neutralizes the excess of acid found in the urine or in the bloodstream. This medicine should not be used by patients who are allergic to any of the ingredients found in Oracit, who suffer from aluminium toxicity, high blood potassium level or who are dehydrated, have a damaged heart or who suffer from severe problems with their kidneys. Oracit must not be used to treat Urinary Alkalinization in children who have less than five years old because they are very sensitive to the ingredients of this medicine and they may develop secondary effects. When treating Urinary Alkalinization it is very important for the doctor to know all the medical history of his patients so that the appearance of any further more severe complications that could endanger the individual’s life is avoided. The way this kind of medicine is administered is likely similar to the way the Bicitra medicine is administered. The health care provider must perform some regular lab tests to see if there are any progresses in the patient’s health status and if the treatment functions. One very important laboratory exam is the level of bicarbonate or blood electrolyte in the bloodstream. It is also important that the patient should regularly visit his doctor.