what is the pH of our body and when the pH of our bodies change What would be done with our body
Answers
A pH of 7 is neutral. Those levels vary throughout your body. Your blood is slightly alkaline, with a pH between 7.35 and 7.45. Your stomach is very acidic, with a pH of 3.5 or below, so it can break down food.
Answer:
The human body is built to naturally maintain a healthy balance of acidity and alkalinity. The lungs and kidneys play a key role in this process. A normal blood pH level is 7.40 on a scale of 0 to 14, where 0 is the most acidic and 14 is the most basic. This value can vary slightly in either direction.
If the lungs or kidneys are malfunctioning, your blood’s pH level can become imbalanced. Disruption in your acid-base balance can lead to medical conditions known as acidosis and alkalosis. Both conditions require treatment from a medical professional, not simply dietary changes.
How the lungs and kidneys maintain the pH balance
The lungs control your body’s pH balance by releasing carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide is a slightly acidic compound. It’s also a waste product produced by cells in the body as they use oxygen. The cells release it into your blood, and it’s taken to your lungs.
When you exhale, you’re expelling that carbon dioxide, a process that also helps regulate your body’s pH balance by reducing acidity.
The amount of carbon dioxide you exhale is a function of how deeply you inhale or exhale. Your brain constantly monitors this in order to maintain the proper pH balance in your body.
The kidneys help the lungs maintain acid-base balance by excreting acids or bases into the blood. The kidneys’ effect on acidity works much more slowly than that of the lungs.
pH balance disorders
A blood pH imbalance can lead to two conditions: acidosis and alkalosis.
Acidosis refers to having blood that’s too acidic, or a blood pH of less than 7.35. Alkalosis refers to having blood that’s too basic, or a blood pH of higher than 7.45.
There are different types of acidosis and alkalosis based on the underlying cause.
When acidosis or alkalosis is caused by a lung disorder or issue with exhalation, it’s referred to as “respiratory.” When acidosis or alkalosis is caused by a problem with the functioning of the kidneys, it’s referred to as “metabolic.”
Types of acidosis
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is caused by your lungs not being able to remove enough carbon dioxide when you exhale. This can occur when your lungs are affected by a disease or other disorder.
Some conditions that could lead to respiratory acidosis include:
asthma
emphysema
pneumonia (severe)
Respiratory acidosis can also be caused by taking narcotics or sleep medications. Brain and nervous system disorders that cause breathing problems may also lead to respiratory acidosis.
The primary symptoms of respiratory acidosis are:
extreme sleepiness
fatigue
confusion
headache
If left untreated, respiratory acidosis can become severe and lead to coma or death.
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis is a buildup of acid in the body that originates in the kidneys. It occurs when your body can’t get rid of excess acid or loses too much base. Specific causes include:
having too little sodium bicarbonate in your blood, a potential complication of severe vomiting or diarrhea
a buildup of ketones due to a lack of insulin, a condition known as ketoacidosis that people with diabetes face
a buildup of lactic acid, a possible complication of alcohol misuse, cancer, and seizures
failure of the kidneys to release acid into the bloodstream, known as renal tubular acidosis
Metabolic acidosis could also be caused by ingesting certain substances, such as:
methanol
antifreeze
aspirin (in large doses)
Symptoms of metabolic acidosis can include nausea, vomiting, and extreme tiredness.
As with respiratory acidosis, metabolic acidosis can result in coma or death if left untreated.
Types of alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis is when there’s too little carbon dioxide in your blood. Causes of respiratory alkalosis include hyperventilation due to anxiety, aspirin overdose, high fever, and possibly even pain.
Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis are muscle cramping and twitching. You may also notice tingling in your fingers, toes, and lips, as well as irritability.
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic alkalosis occurs when bicarbonate levels in your blood get too high or your body loses too much acid. It can be brought on by a long period of vomiting, overuse of diuretics, or an overactive adrenal gland.
Other conditions that can lead to metabolic alkalosis are kidney damage caused by a severe loss of fluids or ingestion of a large amount of baking soda.
Symptoms of metabolic alkalosis are the same as those discussed above for respiratory alkalosis.
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