Table of contents:
- What is the ideal body pH?
- What are the consequences if the body's pH level is not balanced?
- If the body fluids are too acidic
- If the body fluid levels are too alkaline
- How do doctors diagnose imbalanced body pH levels?
- How to prevent the pH of the body from messing up?
The kidneys and lungs play a role in keeping the pH level of the body in balance, so that all body functions can work properly. When your body is too alkaline, for example, you will experience alkalosis. In contrast, acidosis can occur when the body's pH rises to become too acidic. A mess in the pH value in the body can pose many risks of health problems. Indeed, what is the ideal body pH?
What is the ideal body pH?
The pH (hydrogen potential) value is a measure of the balance of acid and alkaline levels in the blood. Reporting from Medicine Net, the body's pH under normal conditions should ideally be in the neutral-to-alkaline range, which is approx 7.35 to 7.45. A pH level that is less than 7 is said to be acidic and if it is more than 7 it is considered alkaline.
The body maintains its pH level with the help of the kidneys and lungs to regulate bicarbonate levels. Bicarbonate is used as protection if suddenly the pH changes.
The kidneys play a role in changing the amount of acid and base in the body, while the respiratory center in the brain regulates the lungs to control the amount of carbon dioxide you exhale when you breathe. Interference with one or the three balancing factors of the body's pH will make the blood too acidic or too alkaline.
You can test your pH levels regularly by using a sheet of litmus paper to drop in your saliva or urine in the morning before eating or drinking anything. The color of the paper will change depending on the pH level. For example, red indicates pH 2; Purple indicates pH 4; Violet indicates a pH of 6; Blue indicates pH 8; Blue-green indicates a pH of 10; Green-yellowish indicates a pH of 12.
What are the consequences if the body's pH level is not balanced?
The pH level of the body should always be in the ideal range. If the condition of the body fluids is too acidic or too alkaline, this will have an impact on the function of the body's organs and the work of the body's metabolism. This is because your body's organs can only function under certain pH conditions.
If the body fluids are too acidic
If your body fluids are too acidic due to the storage and production of too much acid, or you don't have enough alkaline fluids to balance these acids, you will enter the acidosis phase. Common symptoms are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Headache
- Difficulty breathing (short, rapid breaths)
- It gets tired very easily
- Jaundice (the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow)
- Increased heart rate
- Decreased appetite
- The breath smells like sour fruits, indicating the occurrence of ketoacidosis
- Easily sleepy
Several factors can increase your risk of developing acidosis, including:
- Consumption of high fat and consuming too little carbohydrates
- Experiencing kidney failure
- Experiencing obesity
- Experiencing dehydration
- Experiencing poisoning with methanol and aspirin alcohol compounds
- Have diabetes
Most cases of acidosis are harmless. However, in certain cases, this condition can be life threatening. Especially if the body has entered the ketoacidosis phase.
If the body fluid levels are too alkaline
Just a little increase in the pH value of the body from its ideal limit, the nature of the blood tends to be more alkaline. This will disrupt the balance of potassium minerals in the body and blood calcium. The condition of increasing alkaline levels is known as alkalosis.
Symptoms resulting from alkalosis can vary. In the short term, body fluids that are too alkaline can cause nausea, muscle cramps and pain, muscle twitching, hand tremors, fainting, and a sensation of numbness around the face, hands and feet.
If left untreated or allowed to get worse, alkalosis can cause dizziness, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), difficulty breathing, confusion, difficulty processing information (stupor), even commas.
The causes of alkalosis also vary. Generally, an increase in alkaline levels is caused by several health conditions, such as fever, hyperventilation, lack of oxygen, lung and liver disease, diarrhea, vomiting or sweating too much, kidney disease, and adrenal gland disorders. Alkalosis can also occur as a side effect of certain drugs, for example laxatives, salicylate poisoning, diuretic drugs, to side effects from excessive alcohol consumption.
How do doctors diagnose imbalanced body pH levels?
If you experience the above symptoms and suspect your body's pH is imbalanced, consult your doctor immediately.
The pH value of the body can be checked through a series of blood tests. The type of respiratory acidosis can be checked via a chest X-ray or lung function test. Meanwhile, if you are suspected of having metabolic acidosis, the doctor will perform a urine test.
To confirm a diagnosis of alkalosis, your doctor will usually perform a urine test, a basic metabolic panel, and an analysis of blood gases in the arteries.
How to prevent the pH of the body from messing up?
The main prevention of an imbalance in the pH value of the body is to maintain the health of the lungs and kidneys, by:
- Cut down on alcohol consumption.
- Use drugs according to the rules.
- Avoid / quit smoking.
- Maintain ideal body weight.
- Get enough fluids.
- Maintain a healthy diet, by increasing food sources of fruits and vegetables such as carrots, milk, bananas, nuts and green vegetables.
If you have diabetes, keep monitoring your blood sugar levels so you don't fall into complications of ketoacidosis which can be fatal.
