Table of contents:
- What is meant by an overly acidic body condition?
- What are the signs that your body's pH is too acidic?
- 1. Respiratory acidosis
- 2. Metabolic acidosis
- Overcoming body acid levels that are too high
Acid levels in the body can be too high. This condition is known as acidosis. Even though it seems trivial, this increase in acid levels in the body can later disrupt metabolism and the function of other organs, causing health problems that are potentially life threatening.
What is meant by an overly acidic body condition?
As previously mentioned, the normal body pH level must not be lower than 7.35 but also must not exceed 7.45. Or in other words, the pH level is classified as acidic when it is less than 7.35 and alkaline if it is more than 7.45.
Various important processes in the body usually produce a number of acids which will be neutralized by the lungs and kidneys. However, it is a different story when the kidneys and lungs cannot work properly to maintain the pH balance of the body.
What are the signs that your body's pH is too acidic?
Since the body's pH is too acidic to be quite dangerous, it's best to immediately recognize the common signs that usually arise from this condition. Starting from changes in the area of the teeth and mouth, such as sour saliva, mouth sores, inflammation of the gums, until the teeth become more sensitive to foods that are too hot and cold.
In addition, the skin will usually appear drier, itchier, and prone to irritation. Hair that looks healthy before can fall out more easily, is dull, and has split ends, and nails will break more easily. Changes can also appear in the eyes, which are more prone to inflammation and irritation.
Apart from these common signs, the condition of the body's pH is too acidic (acidosis) is actually divided into 2 types with each characteristic that is not too the same.
1. Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the lungs is not able to be completely expelled by the body when exhaling. As a result, the body stores too much CO2. This condition is usually caused by various things such as asthma, obesity, excessive drinking, chest muscle weakness, and problems with the nervous system.
Some of the symptoms of respiratory acidosis are:
- Tiring easily
- Easily sleepy
- Dazed (hard to think clearly)
- Hard to breathe
- Headache
If not treated promptly, respiratory acidosis can progress further, even causing coma or death.
2. Metabolic acidosis
In contrast to respiratory acidosis which is caused by lung problems, metabolic acidosis is the build-up of acid in the body because the kidneys are not functioning optimally. Either because it doesn't release unnecessary amount of acid or because it removes too much base. Conditions that cause metabolic acidosis include diabetic ketoacidosis, diarrhea, and tubular renal acidosis.
Some of the symptoms of metabolic acidosis include:
- Severe fatigue
- Nausea
- Gag
- Headache
- Dazed (hard to think clearly)
- Shortness of breath and faster
- Decreased appetite
- Jaundice
- Heart rate increases
Not much different from respiratory acidosis, metabolic acidosis can also lead to coma or death if not treated quickly.
Overcoming body acid levels that are too high
Treatment that can be done to make the pH level return to normal can vary, depending on the cause and the type of acidosis you are experiencing. Even so, all of these efforts are equally aimed at reducing acid levels in the body.
Take, for example, treatment for respiratory acidosis is more aimed at getting lung function back to normal. The doctor can give drugs to dilate the respiratory tract or install a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device to make breathing easier.
Meanwhile, for metabolic acidosis, the doctor may give sodium bicarbonate by mouth (orally) or through intravenous fluids. Doctors can also give oxygen or antibiotics.
Usually, you will be advised to avoid consuming acidic drinks and foods such as coffee, alcohol, cheese, butter, soda, citrus fruits, and processed foods (corned beef, nuggets, and sausages). Instead, consume more food sources with an alkaline pH including eggs, honey, soybeans, vegetables, and several types of fruits.
Not only that, you can help balance acidic pH levels by regularly drinking water that is pH 8+. Not only does it help neutralize acids in the body, drinking water that has a pH of 8+ can also maintain a balance in the body's pH level.
Research in the Journal of The International Society of Sports Nutrition also proves that drinking drinking water with a pH above 8 can keep your body hydrated better than regular drinking water, so you don't easily lose fluids.
For those of you who have high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, drinking water that contains a pH of 8+ can help overcome the complaints you feel, according to research from the Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Interestingly, drinking water with a pH of 8+ contains very small water molecules (micromolecules) to make it easier for the body to absorb. So, make sure you always adopt a healthy lifestyle. For example, by regularly drinking water that contains a pH of 8+, maintaining a diet, getting enough rest, and exercising regularly.
