Sodium bicarbonate, alkalizer

Sodium bicarbonate Alkalizing agent Corrects lactic acidosis... 

Lactic acidosis, which typically accompanies hypovolemic shock as a consequence of tissue hypoxia, is best treated by reversal of the underlying cause. Administration of alkalizing agents such as sodium bicarbonate has not been demonstrated to have any... 

Urinary alkalinization- Urates tend to crystallize out of an acid urine therefore, a liberal fluid intake is recommended, as well as sufficient sodium bicarbonate (3 to 7.5 g/day) or potassium citrate (7.5 g/day) to maintain an alkaline urine continue alkalization until the serum uric acid level returns to normal limits and tophaceous deposits disappear. Thereafter, urinary alkalization and the restriction of purine-producing foods may be relaxed. 

A variety of adverse effects have been reported following the use of antacids. If sodium bicarbonate is absorbed, it can cause systemic alkalization and sodium overload. Calcium carbonate may induce hypercalcemia and a rebound increase in gastric secretion secondary to the elevation in circulating calcium levels. Magnesium hydroxide may produce osmotic diarrhea, and the excessive absorption of Mg++ in patients with renal failure may result in central nervous system toxicity. Aluminum hydroxide is associated with constipation serum phosphate levels also may become depressed because of phosphate binding within the gut. The use of antacids in general may interfere with the absorption of a number of antibiotics and other medications. 

Several alkalization agents have been developed as possible alternatives to sodium bicarbonate. These include carbicarb (a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate) and tris-hydroxymethylaminomethane (also called THAM or tromethamine). These agents theoretically produce a lesser increase in plasma carbon dioxide tension and, therefore, less CSF and intracellular acidosis. However, this does not appear to be the case for tromethamine, which resulted in a decrease in CSF pH similar to sodium bicarbonate in healthy horses (Pedrick et al 1998). 

Atropine itself is a relatively strong base with a pfc, at 15-20° C. of about 10 (31), i.e., its mineral salts are about 99.9 % ionized at pH 7. However, when an atropine salt is applied locally to the eye, it mil be somewhat less well ionized, because the eye temperature will be near 37° C. and bases become weaker as the temperature rises, and because tears, which normally bathe the cornea, are slightly alkaline (pH 7-8), so that we shall probably not be far wrong in assuming that in the eye about 99% of atropine is present as atropinium cations. If un-ionized atropine base is able to penetrate cell membranes much more easily than the atropinium cation, and only 1 % is present as such, we should expect absorption to be slow, and, as already mentioned, atropine does not achieve its full effect in the human eye under an hour. In conformity with this idea, alkalization of atropine salt solutions increases both the speed and the intensity of their mydriatic activity. Thus, whereas a 1 10,000 solution of atropine sulfate produced no effect in a cat s eye in 10 min. and a barely perceptible dilatation in 50 min., a similar solution made 0.5 N with respect to sodium bicarbonate began to act in 10 min. and had produced full dilatation in 50 min. (32). The alkalinized solution was judged by indicators to have a pH of 8-9, so that the concentration of un-ionized atropine was probably increased about tenfold by the addition of sodium bicarbonate. 

TRIS is one of the most common buffers used in the biology/biochemistry labs. It is used as alternative to sodium bicarbonate in the treatment of metabolic acidosis. It is also an emulsifying agent and absorbent for acidic gases, alkalizer and osmotic diuretic. 

Airway obstruction in the case of neck lesions, and compartment syndrome in extremities lesions should be carefully observed and managed accordingly (tracheostomy, fasciotomy). Systemic corticosteroid (dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg intravenously every 8 h), and ice packs can be helpful to minimize the swelling. Gross hemoglobinuria can occasionally occur and is managed by hydratation and urine alkalization (95% dextrose and water mixed with 75 mEq/L of sodium bicarbonate), administered at twice the maintenance rate. Urine is monitored visually and usually clears within 6 h. 

A disorder characterized by a rise in the alkaline content of the blood, or a fall in the blood acid. Alkalosis may result from vomiting, overuse of alkalizing preparations such as sodium bicarbonate, or excessively deep breathing. 

Currently, most cocoa powders are produced by the so-called Dutch or alkalized process, in which the nib is treated with a warm aqueous solution of up to three parts of anhydrous potassium carbonate to 100 parts of nib (or equivalent amounts of other alkalis such as potassium bicarbonate and hydroxide carbonates, bicarbonates, and hydroxides of sodium, magnesium, and ammonium or their combinations). After the alkali is completely absorbed, the nib is processed as in the above method to yield alkalized cocoa powder. Alkalized cocoa is considered to have improved dispersibility, color, and flavor over unalkalized cocoa. 

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