What are Acidosis and Alkalosis?
Acidosis and alkalosis are conditions in which there is a disturbance in the pH balance (acid-base balance) of the body. Acidosis is a condition in which the bodily fluids become too acidic, with an abnormally low pH level. In alkalosis, the opposite is true: the fluids of the body are too alkaline (high in pH).
Acid-Base Balance in the Body
pH is a way of measuring the acidity or alkalinity of a fluid, on a scale from 1 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while 1 is extremely acidic, and 14 is extremely alkaline, which is sometimes called “basic”. Normally, the pH of the human body is around 7.4, which is slightly higher than the chemically-neutral pH of 7. This slightly alkaline pH is ideal for many crucial processes that take place continually in the human body.
For instance, normal pH and proper acid-base balance enables the right amount of oxygen to enter and circulate in the blood, moving oxygen to all the cells and tissues of the body. Proteins, including enzymes, which speed up many chemical actions in the body, can’t function normally if body fluids are too acidic.
Acidosis
Acidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids. It is the opposite of alkalosis (a condition in which there is too much base in the body fluids). This results in a decrease in blood pH, since lower numbers represent more acidic substances. The blood is considered to be abnormally acidic (high in acid) when its pH is lower than 7.35.
Mild acidosis may be present without causing symptoms. In some cases, especially in seriously ill people, it can worsen if it is not diagnosed and treated. Acidosis can sometimes lead to serious physical effects, such:
Hyperventilation (breathing abnormally fast or deeply)
Impaired heart function
Low blood pressure
Coma
Alkalosis
Alkalosis is a condition in which the blood has too little acid, making it too alkaline or basic, which is another term for alkaline. This results in a higher blood pH, as higher numbers represent more alkaline substances. The blood is considered to be abnormally alkaline when its pH is above 7.45.
Mild, longstanding (chronic) alkalosis may occur without noticeable symptoms. Alkalosis that causes severe or rapid pH changes is more likely to cause symptoms that can include:
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Numbness of the hands and feet
Confusion
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle twitching or spasms
Low levels of oxygen in the blood
Seizures
Losing consciousness or being nearly unconscious
Staying in Balance
The normal pH of the human body ranges from 7.35 to 7.45, with 7.4 being average.
The body constantly engages in a number of activities to maintain pH within this narrow range. Under normal circumstances, the level of acids and bases in the body may rise and fall, as more acids and bases are produced or taken in. Processes in the body are always at work to adjust for these changes and keep the acid-base balance within the normal range.
Acid Buildup
Our bodies constantly produce acids during the normal processes of metabolism. Metabolism means all of the chemical and physical processes that our bodies use to generate energy and to produce substances necessary to maintain life. For example, our bodies convert nutrients in our food like fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy. The processes of metabolism normally generate large quantities of acids during these ongoing activities.
Most of the acid in our bodies is carbonic acid. The metabolism of fats and carbohydrates generates carbon dioxide which combines with water in the body to form carbonic acid.
Causes of Acidosis
The kidneys and lungs maintain the balance (proper pH level) of chemicals called acids and bases in the body. Acidosis occurs when acid builds up or when bicarbonate (a base) is lost. Acidosis is classified as either respiratory or metabolic acidosis.
Respiratory acidosis
This develops when there is too much carbon dioxide (an acid) in the body. This type of acidosis is usually caused when the body is unable to remove enough carbon dioxide through breathing. Other names for respiratory acidosis are hypercapnic acidosis and carbon dioxide acidosis. Causes of respiratory acidosis include:
Chest deformities, such as kyphosis
Chest injuries
Chest muscle weakness
Long-term (chronic) lung disease
Neuromuscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy
Overuse of sedative drugs, causing decreased respiration
Metabolic acidosis develops when too much acid is produced in the body. It can also occur when the kidneys cannot remove enough acid from the body. There are several types of metabolic acidosis:
Diabetic acidosis (also called diabetic ketoacidosis and DKA) develops when substances called ketone bodies (which are acidic) build up during uncontrolled diabetes.
Hyperchloremic acidosis is caused by the loss of too much sodium bicarbonate from the body, which can happen with severe diarrhea.
Kidney disease (uremia, distal renal tubular acidosis or proximal renal tubular acidosis).
Lactic acidosis.
Poisoning by aspirin, ethylene glycol (found in antifreeze), or methanol.
Severe dehydration.
Lactic acidosis is a buildup of lactic acid. Lactic acid is mainly produced in muscle cells and red blood cells. It forms when the body breaks down carbohydrates to use for energy when oxygen levels are low. This can be caused by:
Cancer
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Drinking too much alcohol
Exercising vigorously for a very long time
Liver failure
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Medicines, such as salicylates, metformin, anti-retrovirals
MELAS (a very rare genetic mitochondrial disorder that affects energy production)
Prolonged lack of oxygen from shock, heart failure, or severe anemia
Seizures
Sepsis — severe illness due to infection with bacteria or other germs
Severe asthma
Compensated acidosis occurs when the body returns the acid-base balance to near normal in cases of acidosis, but bicarbonate and carbon dioxide levels remain abnormal.
What are the symptoms of too much acid in your body?
Abdominal discomfort, which may be worse on an empty stomach
nausea or vomiting
bloating
heartburn
diarrhea
decreased appetite
unexplained weight loss
How can it be corrected:
Certain infections and health conditions can cause your body to produce excess stomach acid. Treatment can depend on the cause but may include medication and dietary changes.
There are medicines that can add more bicarbonate to your body to balance out the acid. One way to increase bicarbonate levels is through alkali therapy, which could include taking sodium bicarbonate. When the body is highly acidic, what is needed majorly is the introduction of alkaline based nutrition or medication, to balance the body PH.
JIGSIMUR is a very effective herbal medication which balances the body PH because of its alkalinity. It helps detoxify the entire body of toxins, and regulate all body hormones to be as active as they should be.
………Adelekan Oluwaseun Ojo, is a counseling psychologist, and a business & health consultant with Jigsimur Zdex Int’l, a company which is into the production and distribution of Jigsimur herbal health drink, a natural curative and preventive herbal medicine from South Africa.
For personal consultation, you can contact us on 07089225319 or 08035122399
