Which condition is characterized by numbness or tingling in the extremities and may lead to carpopedal spasms?

The condition characterized by numbness or tingling in the extremities, which may lead to carpopedal spasms, is respiratory alkalosis. This condition occurs when there is an excess of base in the body due to a decrease in carbon dioxide levels, often as a result of hyperventilation. When a person hyperventilates, they expel carbon dioxide at a rapid rate, leading to a decrease in its partial pressure in the bloodstream.

As the carbon dioxide levels drop, it causes an increase in blood pH (making it more alkaline), which can lead to alterations in calcium levels in the blood. This is significant because calcium ions are essential for normal muscle contraction and nerve function. When calcium levels drop due to changes in pH, neuromuscular excitability increases, resulting in symptoms such as tingling (paresthesia) and muscle spasms, particularly in the hands and feet—known as carpopedal spasms.

Understanding this mechanism highlights the importance of monitoring and managing respiratory function, especially in conditions that could lead to hyperventilation and subsequent respiratory alkalosis.