Sodium Bicarbonate Is, in General, Term Paper

It should not be taken with aspirin or other aspirin-like compounds. It should not be taken with, "benzodiazepines, flecainide (Tambocor), iron, ketoconazole (Nizoral), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), methenamine (Hiprex, Urex), methotrexate, quinidine, sulfa-containing antibiotics, tetracycline (Sumycin), or vitamins" (4). It can exacerbate certain conditions such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or ulcers (4). It should be consumed while pregnant or breastfeeding, only under the direction of a physician (4). Sodium is used to increase the effectiveness of sulfanomides (5).

Sodium bicarbonate increases the sodium level in the body (4). A physician might prescribe a low or reduced sodium diet while on Sodium bicarbonate. The individual needs of each patient must be addressed by their own personal physician. Sodium carbonate can produce certain side effects in some people. These side effects include increased thirst, stomach cramps, and extra gas (4). Several symptoms may indicate serious conditions for which a doctor should be consulted immediately. These include severe headache, upset stomach, vomit resembling coffee grounds, loss of appetite, irritability, weakness, a frequent urge to urinate, slow breathing, swelling of the feet or lower legs, abnormal stools, or bloody urine (4). The most common side effects are less severe and include irritability and upset stomach (5).

The reactions of Sodium bicarbonate are complex, especially when one considers the number of potential reactions that are possible within the human body. As Sodium bicarbonate passes through the system, it encounters many different compounds.In some cases, it reduced to its basic elements, such as Na. This can have significant effects on systems that depend on Na, such as the circulatory and neurological systems. Acid-base reactions can have an impact on the digestive tract.

Sodium bicarbonate is an important compound in many types of human activities. It is a strong base, averaging a pH of approximately 8.4 (1). It is a strong base and can neutralize a moderately strong acid. It does have the potential for violent reactions of this nature, given the right conditions and proportions. Acid-base reactions are responsible for many of the reactions within the human body and that are responsible for its use as a household cleaner. Sodium bicarbonate is one of the most widely used common chemicals in the household, business, and in medicine.

Works Cited

1. JTBaker. "Sodium Bicarbonate: Material Safety Data Sheet." http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/s2954.htm (accessed 25Mar07).

2. Solvay Chemicals. "Sodium Bicarbonate: Material Safety Data Sheet." http://www.solvaychemicals.us/static/wma/pdf/6/7/5/9/SODBICARB.pdf (accessed 25Mar07).

3. Holleman, a. And Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001.

4. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., "Sodium Bicarbonate" http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682001.html (accessed 25Mar07).

5. Medicinet. "GENERIC NAME: SODIUM BICARBONATE - ORAL (SO-dee-um bye-KAR-buh-nate)." http://www.medicinenet.com/sodium_bicarbonate-oral/article.htm (accessed 25Mar07)......