Have you noticed that your medications don’t seem to be working properly? Perhaps the problem is not the medications, but the level of acidity in your body. An increasing number of people have acid imbalances due to the prevalence of trend diets and high consumption of chemically laden junk food that can throw the body’s natural chemicals into a tailspin.
Excess acid buildup, or acidosis, occurs when the level of alkaline in the body is insufficient to neutralize the level of incoming acid. Alkaline is a naturally occurring element that neutralizes acid. When too much acid seeps into the body’s tissues, joints and organs, acidosis occurs.
Symptoms of Acidosis
Unfortunately, acidosis is hard to diagnosis because the symptoms mimic the symptoms of other common ailments. Symptoms of acidosis include tiredness, irritability, headaches, mood swings, rashes, nausea and dehydration. Some less common symptoms include swollen gums, mouth sores and cracking of the lips.
Acidosis also causes other diseases to become more severe and immune to medical treatment. Depression, obesity, osteoporosis, joint problems, heart issues and ulcers can all be worsened by acid buildup in the body. Because acid interferes with the way the body processes medicine, people with acidosis may find that medications work sporadically or not at all, or that only certain medications work.
How to Test for Acidosis
There are a few different ways to test the body’s acid levels. The most surefire way to find out if you have acidosis is to visit your doctor. A doctor can perform a urine test that checks the body’s pH levels, and the doctor can prescribe ways to get your body back to a normal acid level.
At-home testing options are also available. Check your local drug store for pH level test strips. These strips use saliva or urine to test the body’s pH level. Many kits require you to test daily in order to provide an accurate reading of the body’s acid levels. If you are using saliva test strips, be sure to test both before and after meals to find the acidity of your diet. If you choose a urine pH test, run the test at different times of the day and night, so that you can check the pH level as food is processed through the body. A healthy pH level is between 6.0 and 7.0.
Curing Acidosis
If your doctor or an at-home test kit tells you that you have excess acid in your body, take action immediately. Alter your diet to contain a strong dose of alkalizing foods, which neutralize acid in the body. Green vegetables, seeds, and olive oil are all a part of a healthy alkaline diet. Cut back on foods with high amounts of acid such as meat, vinegar, milk, processed foods and soft drinks. Test your pH level often, and continue the diet until your pH levels return to a normal level. Even after your pH is balanced, it is a good idea to maintain an alkaline diet and stay away from acid-containing foods in order to avoid acidosis in the future.
With a bit of careful meal planning, you can ensure that your body’s acid levels remain healthy.