13 Symptoms of Unbalanced pH Levels & How to Restore | Credihealth

Feeling constantly tired or struggling with digestive issues? Your body’s pH levels might be off-balance. Even a slight shift in pH—whether too acidic (acidosis) or too alkaline (alkalosis)—can trigger unusual symptoms that affect your health.

Understanding these symptoms early can help you restore your body’s natural balance and prevent potential health complications. This guide will help you identify the key symptoms of unbalanced pH levels, explore its causes, and discover practical solutions to maintain a healthy pH balance. So, let’s get started!

What Is pH and Why Does It Matter?

pH is a measurement of alkalinity or acidity on a scale that generally ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Substances having a pH level less than 7 are categorized as acidic while those having a pH level more than 7 are considered alkaline. 

Your body’s ideal pH range is 7.35 to 7.45, meaning it is slightly alkaline. Different body parts have different pH levels to support their specific functions. When pH shifts too much in either direction, it can negatively affect your overall health.

13 Symptoms of Unbalanced pH Levels

pH imbalance in the body is categorized into two parts: Acidosis and Alkalosis. As the name suggests, Acidosis occurs when your body is highly acidic which happens when the pH level is less than 7.35 due to the inability of the body to excrete acid from your blood, body fluids, or airways and Alkalosis occurs when your body is highly alkaline which happens when the pH level increases above 7.45.

Here are the signs of pH imbalance based on the kind of pH imbalance you are experiencing:

Symptoms of Acidosis may include:

1. Fatigue and Weakness

2. Frequent Illness & Infections

• The body becomes highly prone to infections, colds, and flu due to the weak immune system.

3. Joint Pain & Inflammation

• Acidity can cause swelling, discomfort, pain, and stiffness in the joints.

4. Digestive Problems

• Symptoms of digestive issues like bloating, acid reflux, diarrhea, and nausea can occur.

5. Skin Issues

• Dryness, acne, or eczema (dry, inflamed, and itchy skin) may occur because of excessive acidity.

6. Shortness of Breath

7. Brain Fog & Headaches

• Challenges with concentration, frequent headaches, and dizziness can occur due to lactic acidosis (when there’s excessive accumulation of lactic acid in the blood).

 Symptoms of alkalosis include:

8. Muscle Cramps & Twitching

9. Tingling or Numbness

• Sensations of numbness or tingling, especially in your feet, hands, or face due to electrolyte imbalances and altered blood pH which increase nerve irritability.

10. Nausea & Vomiting

11. Tremors & Shaking

12. Dizziness & Confusion

13. Irregular Heartbeat

If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor to determine the exact cause and receive the right treatment.

Potential Causes of Imbalanced pH Levels

Here are the causes of pH imbalances based on type of pH imbalance:

Causes of Acidosis (Excessive Acid):

• Poor Diet: Too much consumption of processed foods, acidic beverages, and sugary foods.

• Dehydration: Lack of sufficient water in the body that prevents excretion of excessive acid in the body.

• Lung or Kidney Disease: Impaired lung or kidney function impacts acid removal.

• Excess Alcohol or Smoking: Both substances raise the production of acid in the body.

• Uncontrolled Diabetes: Contributes to excessive build-up of ketones in the blood (diabetic ketoacidosis).

• Excessive Exercise: Intense physical activities or exercises can release lactic acid in the blood, lowering pH levels.

Causes of Alkalosis (Excessive Alkaline):

• Overuse of Antacids: Excessive use of medicines like antacids can disrupt pH levels.

• Hormonal Changes: Certain medical conditions such as adrenal gland disorders can also change pH levels by altering electrolyte imbalance.

• Prolonged Vomiting: Vomiting for a longer period can lead to loss of stomach acid which increases body alkalinity.

• Electrolyte Imbalances: An imbalance of vital electrolytes such as calcium and potassium impacts acid-base balance.

• Hyperventilation: Quick and deep breathing lowers carbon dioxide levels which makes the blood highly alkaline.

Risk Factors Associated with pH Imbalance

These risk factors can raise the risk of developing an imbalanced pH:

Tips to Restore pH Balance

With simple dietary and lifestyle changes, you can restore and maintain a healthy pH balance:

• Eat Alkaline Foods: Have alkaline foods such as bananas, grapefruit, oranges, coconut water, and lemons to neutralize the body’s acidity and fix the pH balance. Limit acidic foods like processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine as they disrupt pH balance.

• Have Probiotics: Eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, buttermilk, or Kefir, or use probiotic supplements to increase the level of healthy bacteria in your gut.

• Cut off Sugar: Consuming excessive sugar can disrupt the vaginal pH balance by promoting an acidic and alkaline environment for the bacteria to grow, causing bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink a lot of water throughout the day to remove toxins and maintain an appropriate pH level.

• Manage Stress: Practice meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to manage stress as chronic stress affects hormonal balance and pH levels.

• Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your vagina with warm water and mild, unscented soap, wear cotton underwear, avoid douching, and stay dry to maintain a healthy vaginal pH level.

• Practice Safe Sex: Use condoms and other barrier methods as a study says that semen, being alkaline can change vaginal pH balance.

• Use Boric Acid Suppositories: Consider using boric acid suppositories under a doctor’s guidance to restore your body’s acidity levels.

If symptoms of imbalanced pH persist, seek medical help for proper diagnosis and treatment.

When To See a Doctor?

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Persistent fatigue and weakness.

• Frequent infections

• Breathing difficulties

• Severe digestive issues like nausea or vomiting

• Unusual odor or discharge (for vaginal pH)

• Muscle cramps and twitching

• Confusion or dizziness

• Irregular heartbeat

• Unexplained weight loss

Remember that early detection can help prevent severe complications. Seeing the healthcare providers may help with physical examinations and underlying disease management.

Treatment For Imbalanced pH

The treatment options for imbalanced pH include:

Identify & Treat the Underlying Cause:

Medications: Medications may be prescribed to treat the underlying health issues or to directly balance pH:

• Insulin: To manage diabetic acidosis. 

• Sodium Bicarbonate: To balance levels of acids in the blood. 

• IV Fluids: For addressing electrolyte imbalances and dehydration. 

• Sodium Citrate: To treat kidney failure or kidney disease. 

Therapies:

Lifestyle Modifications:

• Balanced Diet: Combination of acidic & alkaline-rich foods like protein, grains, fruits, veggies, legumes, nuts, and seeds to maintain the body’s healthy pH balance. 

• Limit Acid-Producing Foods: Some acid-forming foods like citrus fruits, coffee, tea, dairy products, alcohol, and processed foods can cause acidity, so limiting their intake is beneficial.

• Exercise: Practising physical activities or exercises regularly can improve pH levels and maintain overall health.

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking a lot of water to eliminate harmful toxins and maintain a pH balance. 

Treating Vaginal Infections:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) Creams or Ointments: Miconazole, tioconazole, or clotrimazole to treat mild yeast infections. 

• Prescription Medications: Metronidazole, fluconazole, or clindamycin for the treatment of severe infections like yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. 

• Antibiotics: Penicillins for bacterial infection.

Final Thoughts

The symptoms of unbalanced pH levels based on the type of pH balance include fatigue and weakness, frequent illness & infections, joint pain and inflammation, etc. due to acidosis and muscle cramps & twitching, tingling or numbness, dizziness, nausea, etc. due to alkalosis. Poor diet, smoking, alcohol use, electrolyte imbalance, and underlying health issues can be the cause of pH imbalance. If you notice any symptoms, see a doctor for appropriate treatment.

Early detection and treatment can prevent further complications!

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