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Alkalosis is a dangerous decrease in the normal pH of the blood where there is too much base (an elevated pH) in the blood and body resulting from accumulation of base or the depletion of acid. The pH of the alkalotic body measures above normal. It can be caused by high altitudes, hyperventilation, and excessive vomiting. The opposite of alkalosis is acidosis in which there is too low a pH due to excess acid or insufficient base in the body.