What’s a Normal Blood pH and What Makes It Change?
The normal blood pH level ranges from 7.35 to 8.00, which is considered “normal” according to the American Medical Association (AMA). This range corresponds with the physiological range of human physiology, which includes all ages and genders. However, there are some individuals who have higher or lower than average blood ph values. These individuals may suffer from various diseases such as:
• Acute kidney injury
• Chronic renal failure (CRF)
• Kidney cancer
• Liver disease (including cirrhosis)
In addition, certain medications can affect the blood ph value. For example, aspirin lowers the blood ph value. Some drugs used during pregnancy can cause birth defects if taken while pregnant. Other medications include those prescribed for high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Normal Blood Ph Levels in Humans
There are several factors that determine the normal blood ph levels in humans. One of these factors is age. The older one gets, the less likely it is that they will develop CRF or kidney damage due to aging alone. However, this is not true for everyone.
While older individuals may not suffer from kidney issues due to aging alone, they may develop other conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus that can contribute to kidney damage and eventually CRF.
Other factors that determine the normal blood ph levels in humans are:
Calcium Intake
Calcium is a mineral that plays a role in bone and teeth density. It is also necessary for heart rhythm, nerve functions and muscle contractions. While humans do produce their own calcium, some individuals may not consume enough calcium to meet the body’s needs. In order to maintain normal blood ph levels in these individuals, the body takes what calcium it has and leeches it from the bones and teeth.
The result of this process is osteoporosis and tooth decay.
Dietary Acid Intake
One cause of high normal blood ph levels is a diet high in acid, which can come from various sources. One obvious contributor to high acid content in the diet is citrus fruits. While some people can eat as many oranges as they want and not experience any ill effects, others will develop high levels of acidity within the body after they eat just one orange. This is due to there being a variance in the level of acid within fruits.
Another source of dietary acid is tomatoes and tomato-based products. Some people can eat these items without experiencing any ill effects on the body. Others will develop high levels of acidity within the body after they consume foods such as salsa, ketchup or even canned pasta sauces.
Vinegar, which is often used in salad dressings and marinades for culinary purposes, is another food item that can lead to high normal blood ph levels.
Kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys are damaged such that they are no longer able to perform their intended function of filtering waste from the blood. Renal dialysis involves running a machine to literally do the job of the kidneys.
Renal dialysis is only used in cases of severe kidney damage. When one suffers from CRF, other methods of treating the condition may include:
High protein diet
Some individuals suffering from CRF are encouraged to increase their intake of high protein foods such as meat, poultry and certain types of fish. The logic behind this recommendation is that “quality” proteins such as meat contain all of the necessary amino acids that humans need but cannot produce on their own. Sources of plant-based proteins such as beans and grains are deficient in one or more of these amino acids.
While increasing the amount of meat, poultry, and fish in the diet is encouraged, there is also a recommendation to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables as well. The thought process behind this recommendation is that fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants which are beneficial to overall health as well as fiber which can help reduce cholesterol levels.
Dietary Supplements
While there are a wide variety of dietary supplements available on the market, individuals suffering from CRF are only recommended to take two of them: calcium and vitamin D3. These two supplements are necessary to help prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. While dairy products such as milk and cheese are a good source of calcium, individuals suffering from CRF are often not able to handle these foods as a result of their already compromised digestive systems. As a substitute, they can take calcium supplements.
Vitamin D3 is another supplement that may be recommended. The main reason for this is that people who suffer from CRF are often confined to their beds, which limits their exposure to the sun, a natural source of vitamin D3. Obtaining adequate levels of vitamin D3 in the body can help to prevent conditions such as osteomalacia.
In some cases, an individual suffering from CRF may be recommended to take additional dietary supplements such as:
zinc
iron
fiber
With this information, it can be inferred that diet is an important factor in managing CRF. An individual suffering from this condition should do their research and speak with their physician before implementing any changes to their diet.
Exercise
While CRF is a serious condition that requires proper medical treatment, an individual suffering from CRF can still engage in certain types of physical activity under the guidance of their physician. In some cases, light exercise has been shown to improve quality of life for patients who suffer from this condition. This can take the form of things such as walking, swimming, or biking. While engaging in any physical activity is going to be somewhat limited by the effects that this condition has on the body, it may still prove to be beneficial to one’s mental health.
An individual suffering from CRF should always consult with their physician before engaging in any exercise program. This is particularly important for those who suffer from severe cases of this condition.
Sleep Apnea
Around 30 percent of patients with CRF also suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that prevents an individual from obtaining adequate, restorative sleep. It is characterized by episodes of stopped breathing that last for more than ten seconds during sleep. These episodes can happen hundreds of times per night and cause oxygen levels in the body to decline substantially.
It is common for those suffering from sleep apnea to display symptoms of extreme fatigue during the day. These symptoms can include things such as:
fatigue
dizziness
difficulty focusing
irritability
depression
While this condition can be managed with the use of a breathing machine, an increasing amount of evidence is starting to show that implanting a new kidney into patients can effectively resolve sleep apnea completely.
A Word From the Experts
If you suffer from CRF and are having trouble with sleep apnea, your first step should be to speak with your physician about the condition. They will be able to give you a diagnosis and determine whether or not you have sleep apnea and what is causing it. If they feel that you would benefit from a new kidney, they will be able to refer you to a surgeon for evaluation.
A Word of Warning
There have been recent reports of medical organizations performing illegal organ sales. These operations take a victim’s kidney and sell them to the highest bidder, regardless of whether or not they’re going to be a good match. Due diligence on the part of both the donor and recipient is important in order to avoid falling victim to these operations. Always refer to trusted and reputable sources when dealing with these matters.
Healthy Living with a New Kidney
When placed into a patient, a new kidney can effectively treat the condition of chronic renal failure. In most cases, CRF is successfully managed with a single transplant and patients go on to lead normal, healthy lives. There are some who believe that a second transplant can be done if necessary, although this is rare and more researchers are looking into the possibility of patients being able to survive with just one transplanted kidney.
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