pH 7 what environment. What is the pH of water and why is it important to know it?
Surely many have heard more than once about such a concept as pH (neutral, acidic or alkaline). This is an indicator of hydrogen, and it can be found both on a tube of cream and at a dermatologist's appointment. Information about the pH of the skin is very important. What is this indicator? Let's try to figure it out.
A little about the structure of the skin
As you know, the stratum corneum, located in the epidermis of the skin, performs the function of protection. It contains a water-lipid matrix containing fatty compounds and the acid mantle of Marchionini. Many people believe that its pH is neutral - about 7, but this is a misconception. Covers with this will be dry and tight. The skin contains milk and lemon in its composition, which means that its balance should not go beyond the sour. If any disturbances or changes occur in the dermis, then the pH of the epidermis begins to change dramatically. This can be both a consequence of a serious illness, and the result of improper skin care.
pH scale
First of all, you need to remember that the concept of “pH neutral” applies specifically to the environment in question. Regarding the skin, its value is 5.2-5.7, tears - 7.4, and in chemical solutions, the neutral pH is 7 units (for example, water).
From chemistry lessons, we know that the acid-base balance scale ranges from 0 to 14. Neutral pH is about half, anything lower is acidic, anything higher is alkaline. As for the concepts in cosmetology, “pH neutral” means that such an acid-base indicator is the most optimal for any skin.
In addition, oily skin is also determined by this very indicator. Dry skin has a pH of 5.7 to 7, normal skin has a pH of 5.2 to 5.7, and oily skin has a pH of 4 to 5.2.
Skin problems: vicious circle
We have already figured out what pH is, and now let's talk about the problems associated with this indicator. Oily skin is a problem for many people. Especially in adolescence. Almost every child inevitably develops pimples and acne. Of course, this is a consequence of a temporary failure in the hormonal background. However, it is at this time that proper skin care is very important.
What do parents advise in this case? Wash more often? The teenager does so, but the acne only gets worse. What is the reason? Soap is alkaline and its pH ranges from 6 to 11. Its frequent use leads to the fact that it washes away the top layer of the face with an acidic environment. The protective function of the stratum corneum works in such a way that the less beneficial acidic bacteria present in the normal flora of the face on the skin, the more it produces subcutaneous fat. Here is a vicious circle: the more we wash, the more oily skin becomes. A natural question arises: "What to do?"
How to keep pH normal?
In order to preserve its natural acid-base balance when washing the face, it is necessary to pay special attention to the cosmetics used in this process. The first step is to find out which neutral pH soap can be used for frequent washing. If this is really a forced measure, then the hydrogen base must be acidic (up to 5.5 units). These include special foams, gels, scrubs for washing for oily skin (pH = 4).
If there are no problems as such, then for care you can use products with a slightly acidic reaction, 5.5 units, for dry skin - closer to neutral - 6.5. In any case, it must be remembered that in order to choose the right skin care product, it is necessary to roughly equalize the acid-base balance. The same goes for other skin care products. A gel with a neutral pH is usually suitable for dry skin, and for problematic ones, it is worth choosing products with a slightly acidic environment.
Shampoo and pH
Like any substance, shampoo also has its own pH, and it is different for each brand. Here, according to the laws of chemistry, exactly the same rule applies: a low indicator of up to 7 units is acidic, higher is alkaline. Shampoos with a neutral pH level - exactly 7 units. Regarding the scalp, almost everything remains unchanged. Normally, she has a more slightly acidic environment - 4.5-5.5. This means that the choice of shampoo should entirely depend on how oily the scalp is.
For dry types, it is recommended to use more alkaline shampoos, and for oily ones, slightly acidic ones. If the scalp is picky, such as children's, then you need to choose shampoos with a neutral pH (7 units). Unfortunately, only a small number of manufacturers indicate which acid-base indicator is present in their cosmetic product. They are limited only to inscriptions (for dry, for oily, for normal skin). This is not entirely correct, because, according to research, it turns out that, as a rule, shampoos for normal skin are alkaline, and should be slightly acidic.
Is it possible to determine the pH level of the skin and products?
Many people would like to know the water-acid balance in a particular substance. At home, doing the test is not difficult. This requires a solution and an acid-base indicator, usually litmus strips. They are dipped into the solution and placed on white paper. Color appears almost instantly on the indicator. According to the proposed color scale, you can determine whether it is alkaline. For example, if litmus is dipped in alkali, it will give a blue color, in an acidic environment - red.
Another way to find out what the pH is is with a pH meter. This is a very popular device with high accuracy. It is used in industries where environmental control is necessary (fuel production, chemical and paint industries, etc.). Such a device can also be found at a dermatologist's appointment. In this article, we studied what pH is and found out how to choose the right skin care products according to their acid-base balance.
Acidity(lat. aciditas) is a characteristic of the activity of hydrogen ions in solutions and liquids.
In medicine, the acidity of biological fluids (blood, urine, gastric juice, and others) is a diagnostically important parameter of the patient's health. In gastroenterology, for the correct diagnosis of a number of diseases, for example, the esophagus and stomach, a single or even average acidity value is not significant. Most often, it is important to understand the dynamics of changes in acidity during the day (night acidity often differs from daytime acidity) in several areas of the body. Sometimes it is important to know the change in acidity as a reaction to certain irritants and stimulants.
pH value
In solutions, inorganic substances: salts, acids and alkalis are separated into their constituent ions. In this case, hydrogen ions H + are carriers of acidic properties, and ions OH − are carriers of alkaline properties. In highly dilute solutions, acidic and alkaline properties depend on the concentrations of H + and OH − ions. In ordinary solutions, acidic and alkaline properties depend on the activities of ions a H and a OH, that is, from the same concentrations, but adjusted for the activity coefficient γ, which is determined experimentally. For aqueous solutions, the equilibrium equation applies: a H × a OH \u003d K w, where K w is a constant, the ionic product of water (K w \u003d 10 - 14 at a water temperature of 22 ° C). It follows from this equation that the activity of hydrogen ions H + and the activity of OH ions are interconnected. Danish biochemist S.P.L. Sorensen in 1909 proposed a hydrogen show pH, equal by definition to the decimal logarithm of the activity of hydrogen ions, taken with a minus (Rapoport S.I. et al.):
pH \u003d - lg (a H).
Based on the fact that in a neutral medium a H \u003d a OH and from the fulfillment of the equality for pure water at 22 ° C: a H × a OH \u003d K w \u003d 10 - 14, we obtain that the acidity of pure water at 22 ° C (then there is neutral acidity) = 7 units. pH.
Solutions and liquids with respect to their acidity are considered:
- neutral at pH = 7
- acidic at pH< 7
- alkaline at pH > 7
Some misconceptions
If one of the patients says that he has "zero acidity", then this is nothing more than a turn of phrase, meaning, most likely, that he has a neutral acidity value (pH = 7). In the human body, the value of the acidity index cannot be less than 0.86 pH. It is also a common misconception that acidity values can only be in the range of 0 to 14 pH. In technology, the acidity indicator is both negative and more than 20.When talking about the acidity of an organ, it is important to understand that acidity can often differ significantly in different parts of the organ. The acidity of the contents in the lumen of the organ and the acidity on the surface of the mucous membrane of the organ is also often not the same. For the mucous membrane of the body of the stomach, it is characteristic that the acidity on the surface of the mucus facing the lumen of the stomach is pH 1.2–1.5, and on the side of the mucus facing the epithelium it is neutral (7.0 pH).
pH value for some foods and water
The table below shows the acidity values of some common foods and pure water at different temperatures:| Product | Acidity, units pH |
| Lemon juice | 2,1 |
| Wine | 3,5 |
| Tomato juice | 4,1 |
| Orange juice | 4,2 |
| Black coffee | 5,0 |
| Pure water at 100°C |
6,13 |
| Pure water at 50°C |
6,63 |
| Fresh milk | 6,68 |
| Pure water at 22°C |
7,0 |
| Pure water at 0°C | 7,48 |
Acidity and Digestive Enzymes
Many processes in the body are impossible without the participation of special proteins - enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions in the body without undergoing chemical transformations. The digestive process is not possible without the participation of a variety of digestive enzymes that break down various organic food molecules and act only in a narrow range of acidity (its own for each enzyme). The most important proteolytic enzymes (breaking down food proteins) of gastric juice: pepsin, gastrixin and chymosin (rennin) are produced in an inactive form - in the form of proenzymes and are later activated by hydrochloric acid of gastric juice. Pepsin is most active in a strongly acidic environment, with a pH of 1 to 2, gastrixin has a maximum activity at pH 3.0–3.5, chymosin, which breaks down milk proteins to insoluble casein protein, has a maximum activity at pH 3.0–3.5 .Proteolytic enzymes secreted by the pancreas and “acting” in the duodenum: trypsin, which has an optimum action in a slightly alkaline environment, at pH 7.8–8.0, chymotrypsin, which is close in functionality, is most active in an environment with acidity up to 8.2. The maximum activity of carboxypeptidases A and B is 7.5 pH. Close values of the maximum and other enzymes that perform digestive functions in the slightly alkaline environment of the intestine.
Reduced or increased acidity in relation to the norm in the stomach or duodenum, thus, leads to a significant decrease in the activity of certain enzymes or even their exclusion from the digestive process, and, as a result, to problems with digestion.
Acidity of saliva and oral cavity
The acidity of saliva depends on the rate of salivation. Typically, the acidity of mixed human saliva is 6.8–7.4 pH, but at a high rate of salivation it reaches 7.8 pH. The acidity of the saliva of the parotid glands is 5.81 pH, the submandibular glands - 6.39 pH.In children, the average acidity of mixed saliva is 7.32 pH, in adults - 6.40 pH (Rimarchuk G.V. and others).
The acidity of plaque depends on the condition of the hard tissues of the teeth. Being neutral in healthy teeth, it shifts to the acid side, depending on the degree of development of caries and the age of adolescents. In 12-year-old adolescents with the initial stage of caries (pre-caries), the acidity of plaque is 6.96 ± 0.1 pH, in 12–13-year-old adolescents with moderate caries, the acidity of plaque is from 6.63 to 6.74 pH, in 16 -year-old adolescents with superficial and medium caries, the acidity of plaque is, respectively, 6.43 ± 0.1 pH and 6.32 ± 0.1 pH (Krivonogova L.B.).
Acidity of the secretion of the pharynx and larynx
The acidity of the secretion of the pharynx and larynx in healthy people and patients with chronic laryngitis and pharyngolaryngeal reflux is different (A.V. Lunev):|
Groups of surveyed |
pH measuring point |
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Pharynx, |
Larynx, |
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healthy faces |
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| Patients with chronic laryngitis without GERD |
The figure above shows a graph of acidity in the esophagus of a healthy person, obtained using intragastric pH-metry (Rapoport S.I.). On the graph, gastroesophageal refluxes are clearly observed - a sharp decrease in acidity to 2–3 pH, which in this case is physiological. Acidity in the stomach. High and low acidity The maximum observed acidity in the stomach is 0.86 pH, which corresponds to an acid production of 160 mmol/L. The minimum acidity in the stomach is 8.3 pH, which corresponds to the acidity of a saturated solution of HCO 3 - ions. Normal acidity in the lumen of the body of the stomach on an empty stomach is 1.5-2.0 pH. The acidity on the surface of the epithelial layer facing the lumen of the stomach is 1.5–2.0 pH. Acidity in the depth of the epithelial layer of the stomach is about 7.0 pH. Normal acidity in the antrum of the stomach is 1.3–7.4 pH. The cause of many diseases of the digestive tract is an imbalance in the processes of acid production and acid neutralization. Prolonged hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid or insufficiency of acid neutralization, and, as a result, increased acidity in the stomach and / or duodenum, causes the so-called acid-dependent diseases. Currently, these include: peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erosive and ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum while taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, gastritis and gastroduodenitis with high acidity and others. Decreased acidity is observed with anacid or hypoacid gastritis or gastroduodenitis, as well as with stomach cancer. Gastritis (gastroduodenitis) is called anacid or gastritis (gastroduodenitis) with low acidity, if the acidity in the body of the stomach is approximately 5 units or more. pH. The cause of low acidity is often the atrophy of parietal cells in the mucous membrane or a violation in their functions. Above is a graph of acidity (daily pH-gram) of the body of the stomach of a healthy person (dashed line) and a patient with a duodenal ulcer (solid line). The moments of eating are marked with arrows labeled "Food". The graph shows the acid-neutralizing effect of food, as well as the increased acidity of the stomach with a duodenal ulcer (Yakovenko A.V.). acidity in the intestinesNormal acidity in the duodenal bulb is 5.6–7.9 pH. The acidity in the jejunum and ileum is neutral or slightly alkaline and ranges from 7 to 8 pH. The acidity of the juice of the small intestine is 7.2–7.5 pH. With increased secretion, it reaches 8.6 pH. The acidity of the secretion of the duodenal glands - from pH 7 to 8 pH.
acidity of fecesThe acidity of the feces of a healthy person eating a mixed diet is determined by the vital activity of the microflora of the large intestine and is equal to 6.8–7.6 pH. The acidity of feces is considered normal in the range from 6.0 to 8.0 pH. The acidity of meconium (original feces of newborns) is about 6 pH. Deviations from the norm in the acidity of feces:
Blood acidityThe acidity of human arterial blood plasma ranges from 7.37 to 7.43 pH, averaging 7.4 pH. Acid-base balance in human blood is one of the most stable parameters, maintaining acidic and alkaline components in a certain balance within very narrow limits. Even a slight shift from these limits can lead to severe pathology. When shifted to the acid side, a condition called acidosis occurs, and to the alkaline side - alkalosis. A change in blood acidity above 7.8 pH or below 6.8 pH is incompatible with life.The acidity of venous blood is 7.32–7.42 pH. The acidity of erythrocytes is 7.28–7.29 pH. Urine acidityIn a healthy person with a normal drinking regimen and a balanced diet, the acidity of urine is in the range from 5.0 to 6.0 pH, but can range from 4.5 to 8.0 pH. The acidity of the urine of a newborn under the age of one month is normal - from 5.0 to 7.0 pH.The acidity of urine increases if meat food rich in proteins predominates in the human diet. Hard physical work increases the acidity of urine. A dairy-vegetarian diet causes urine to become slightly alkaline. An increase in the acidity of urine is noted with increased acidity of the stomach. Reduced acidity of gastric juice does not affect the acidity of urine. A change in the acidity of urine most often corresponds to a change. The acidity of urine changes with many diseases or conditions of the body, so the determination of urine acidity is an important diagnostic factor. Vaginal acidityThe normal acidity of a woman's vagina ranges from 3.8 to 4.4 pH and averages between 4.0 and 4.2 pH. Vaginal acidity in various diseases:
Publications for health care professionals addressing the issue of acidity in the female genital organs
Sperm acidityThe normal level of semen acidity is between 7.2 and 8.0 pH. Deviations from these values are not in themselves considered pathological. At the same time, in combination with other deviations, it may indicate the presence of a disease. An increase in the pH level of sperm occurs during an infectious process. A sharply alkaline reaction of sperm (acidity of about 9.0–10.0 pH) indicates a pathology of the prostate gland. With blockage of the excretory ducts of both seminal vesicles, an acid reaction of sperm is noted (acidity 6.0-6.8 pH). The fertilizing ability of such sperm is reduced. In an acidic environment, spermatozoa lose their mobility and die. If the acidity of the seminal fluid becomes less than 6.0 pH, the spermatozoa completely lose their mobility and die.Skin acidityThe surface of the skin is covered with a lipid acid mantle or Marchionini's mantle, consisting of a mixture of sebum and sweat, to which organic acids are added - lactic, citric and others, formed as a result of biochemical processes occurring in the epidermis. The acid water-lipid mantle of the skin is the first barrier of defense against microorganisms. In most people, the normal acidity of the mantle is 3.5–6.7 pH. The bactericidal property of the skin, which gives it the ability to resist microbial invasion, is due to the acid reaction of keratin, the peculiar chemical composition of sebum and sweat, the presence of a protective water-lipid mantle with a high concentration of hydrogen ions on its surface. The low molecular weight fatty acids included in its composition, primarily glycophospholipids and free fatty acids, have a bacteriostatic effect that is selective for pathogenic microorganisms. The surface of the skin is inhabited by normal symbiotic microflora, capable of existing in an acidic environment: Staphylococcus epidermidis , Staphylococcus aureus , Propionibacterium acnes and others. Some of these bacteria produce lactic and other acids themselves, contributing to the formation of the skin's acid mantle.The upper layer of the epidermis (keratin scales) has an acidity with a pH value of 5.0 to 6.0. In some skin diseases, the acidity value changes. For example, with fungal diseases, the pH rises to 6, with eczema up to 6.5, with acne up to 7. Acidity of other human biological fluidsThe acidity of fluids inside the human body normally coincides with the acidity of the blood and ranges from 7.35 to 7.45 pH. The acidity of some other human biological fluids is normally shown in the table:In the photo on the right: buffer solutions with pH=1.2 and pH=9.18 for calibration | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
In order to identify the presence of an inflammatory process or disease, a laboratory study of urine is used, namely urine Ph: the norm determines the absence of pathologies in the body, and the deviation indicates their presence.
What type of research is in question, and what norms are considered acceptable for a healthy person, we will learn further.
What does Ph urine mean?
The excretory system in the human body is designed not only to remove harmful and unnecessary substances, but also determines acid balance.
An indicator called Ph means the total number of ions in a solution, that is, in a urine sample collected for analysis.
Conducting a study shows the physical properties in the composition of urine, and also evaluates the balance of acid and alkali in it. Constantly high acid damages body tissues. In this case, if you do not make efforts, then the processes important for life will be suspended.
What is the norm?
The hydrogen index, i.e. Ph, characterizes hydrogen ion concentration in the human body. The level of Ph concentration is affected by acid, as well as alkali.
The normal level of Ph in the composition of urine depends on the physiological state of the person, what he eats, as well as age and gender. An important factor is the time at which urine is collected.
The main standards established for determining Ph are the following indicators:
- For a person over 18 years old, Ph from 5 0 to 7 is considered the norm;
- on average, the urine of adult women and men, collected in the morning, is in the range of 6.0-6.4 Ph;
- in the evening, it rises slightly and can reach from 6.4-7.0;
- for infants who are breastfed, the norm is determined at 6.9-8;
- with an artificial type of feeding, an infant should have a Ph ranging from 5.4 to 6.9.
Causes of deviation from normal indicators
If the pH of the urine is above 7, then it is considered alkaline, and if it is kept at 5 or below, then it is acidic.
There are many reasons for raising or lowering the Ph level in the urine, however, you need to consider the main ones in order to understand what deviation can change the indicators and how to avoid it.
If a increased acidity of the urine, then this can be explained by a number of reasons leading to this phenomenon:
- With prolonged fasting and a lack of food containing carbohydrates, an increase in acidity is observed. The human body in this case starts the process of splitting and fats in the body's reserves. This process is carried out to replenish the necessary energy.
- Constant overload of the human body and exhausting physical exercises lead to the fact that fluid leaves the body, and acidity increases.
- In situations where you have to stay in a stuffy room, hot countries or workshops with high temperatures.
- Excess level in diabetes.
- Prolonged intoxication of the body, including alcoholic beverages.
- Inflammatory processes in the area of the renal system, including, as well as cystitis.
- Septic condition in the human body.
All of the above causes of increased acidity are only the main ones, but there are also other factors that only the attending physician can establish, based on the results of studies.
Decreased acidity often observed in the presence of one or more causes of this phenomenon. These include:
- disruption in work, as well as the thyroid gland;
- when eating an excess amount of protein of animal origin;
- excessive consumption of alkaline mineral water;
- high levels of stomach acid;
- Availability ;
- active reproduction of infection in the urinary system.
During pregnancy, a woman undergoes changes in the metabolic processes of the body, which also affects the state of Ph, therefore, during this period, acidity is considered normal. in the range of 5.3-6.5. Low acidity is often observed during periods of vomiting and diarrhea.
The normal pH of urine in a child may vary depending on the type of feeding and the time of day in which urine is collected. Therefore, the final diagnosis can only be made by a pediatrician, based on other tests and other studies.
Determination of urine acidity at home
You can determine the acidity of urine not only in the laboratory, but also at home. The option of conducting an analysis at home is suitable for those patients who must independently monitor the level of Ph, due to the presence of diabetes mellitus or uraturia.
Often used are types of research how:
- Litmus paper.
- Magarshak method.
- Test strips, used both in most laboratories and at home, when conducting self-tests for Ph levels. They can be purchased at pharmacies and used as needed.
It is impregnated with a special reagent that reacts with the liquid, and then changes the paint. The essence of the method boils down to the fact that it is necessary to immediately lower two types of strips, blue and red, into the urine and check how the shade changes.
If the two strips remain in the same state, then the reaction is considered neutral. If both strips have changed color, then it is generally accepted that there are both alkaline and acid reactions in the urine.
If the red color has changed to blue, then an alkaline reaction is present. When the color changes from blue to red, the reaction is considered acidic.
The essence of this method for determining the Ph level is to take two solutions of red and blue, which is gradually added to the material under study.
Next, the color is checked: if the urine has become bright purple, then the acidity is about 6, when stained in a gray tint, the acidity should be considered 7.2. Light purple urine indicates a level of 6.6. Green urine is a sign of acidity at 7.8.
The advantage of such a study is simplicity, since any person can handle the determination of acidity in urine in a similar way. The strip is lowered into a fresh portion of urine, and then the result is viewed on a special scale with a designated color scheme.
Ways to Reduce and Increase Acidity
There are medication methods to lower or increase the level of acidity, as well as recommendations for the introduction of certain foods into the diet, contributing to the normalization of pH.
Doctors prescribe intravenous solutions to the patient. They are made on the basis of potassium bicarbonate, as well as products sold in a pharmacy for the successful normalization of acidity.
In order to significantly reduce the high acidity of urine, it is recommended to use low protein foods. Those foods that have a neutral alkaline load should be consumed.
You also need to eat foods with zero acid formation. These include:
- cucumbers;
- ice cream;
- vegetable oil;
It is allowed to introduce food products, having negative acid formation. These are fruits, mushrooms, fresh herbs, fruit juices, and white wine.
The fact is that the division of food by acidity is rather conditional. Every human body is different and digests food differently. However, you need to gradually adjust the menu, in accordance with the recommendations of the attending physician.
Important to remember about the normalization of water balance because people who lead a healthy lifestyle tend to be less likely to suffer from acidic urine. Water not only normalizes the state of acidity in the human body, but also improves the functioning of the kidney system.
In order to increase acidity on the contrary, it is necessary to slightly reduce the amount of water consumed, since it significantly increases the level of acidity in the body.
Determining the level of Ph is important because it can give an informative picture of many internal diseases. Therefore, doctors recommend taking an analysis in the laboratory and monitor acidity levels at home using test strips.
It is important to learn the basic methods of increasing and decreasing acidity and apply them to adjust this indicator.
How to use litmus paper to determine acidity, learn from the video:
Urine pH indicates the state of the physical properties of the fluid released during kidney function. Using this indicator, the hydrogen ions contained in urine are determined. The balance of alkali and acid allows you to make a picture of the state of health. Alkaline or acidic urine is helpful in making the diagnosis.
Properties of urine
With the help of urine, metabolic products are excreted. Its formation is carried out in the nephrons at the time of plasma and blood filtration. Urine is 97% water, the remaining 3% are salts and nitrogenous substances.
The required pH of body fluids is maintained by the kidneys by removing unnecessary substances and retaining elements involved in important metabolic processes.
The excreted substances have acid-base characteristics. When there are a lot of acidic particles, acidic urine is formed (pH falls below 5). The normal pH of urine is a slightly acidic reaction (5–7). In the case of a predominance of alkaline properties, alkaline urine is formed (pH about 8). If the indicator is 7, this is the balance in urine of alkaline and acidic substances (neutral environment).
What does acid or alkaline balance mean? It indicates the degree of efficiency of the process of processing minerals that are responsible for the level of acidity. In a situation with an excess of urine pH, the acid is neutralized due to the minerals found in the bones and organs. This means that the diet is dominated by meat products and not enough vegetables.
Acidity pH is normal
The acidity of urine depends on many factors. A high content of animal proteins in food causes overflow of urine with acid. If a person prefers plant foods, dairy products, an alkaline environment is determined.
Normally, the reaction of urine does not have to be neutral, it is determined in the range from 5 to 7. Acidity values may vary slightly, for example, pH 4.5-8 is considered normal, provided that it is short-term.
The norm at night is no more than 5.2 units. In the early morning on an empty stomach, there are low pH values \u200b\u200b(maximum up to 6.4), in the evening - 6.4-7, which is considered common.
Normal pH values for men, women, and children vary slightly. Due to the frequent consumption of protein foods by men, the level of urine acidity increases. In urine during pregnancy, an acidity of 5–8 is considered the norm.
Normal acidity in children depends on age. The reaction of urine in a newborn baby is neutral due to the use of breast milk. In premature babies, there is a slight acidification of urine. A bottle-fed baby has a low acidity level. In children whose menu has already included complementary foods, the acidity of urine is on average 5-6 units.
Analysis of urine
Diagnosis is much easier with laboratory urinalysis. Its repeated conduct is prescribed for an infectious disease. In case of problems with the endocrine system, the kidneys, urine pH analysis is indispensable. With urolithiasis, pH in a urine test can tell about the type of stones. For example, uric acid stones appear when urine pH is below 5.5. At the same time, the formation of oxalate stones occurs at PH 5.5-6.0, phosphate stones - with an alkaline reaction of urine (above 7 units).
To determine the pH, a laboratory study of urine (OAM) is carried out, which allows you to characterize not only urine, but also to conduct a microscopic examination of the sediment.
A more accurate idea of the work of the kidneys is given by the titratable (titratable) acidity of the urine. Titration is one of the laboratory methods for studying urine.
In order for the urine test to show the most accurate result, it is necessary to follow some rules before conducting it. To determine the pH in the urine a few days before collecting the material, it is worth refusing to take certain medications, herbal infusions and decoctions, alcohol and other products that affect the composition of urine.
1 day before collecting urine, exclude bright vegetables and fruits from the menu. During menstruation, the composition of urine changes in women - doctors do not recommend doing an analysis during this period.
Before collecting urine, the genitals are thoroughly washed. The most accurate results will be obtained only when examining the material collected in the morning.
How to determine pH at home?
Today, you can even measure the state of the acid-base balance on your own at home. To determine the pH of the urinary fluid, you can use:
- litmus paper;
- Magarshak's method;
- bromthymol blue indicator;
- indicator test strips.
You can find out the pH level by the first method by simply placing litmus paper in the liquid under study. This method does not allow determining the specific value of acidity.
The Magarshak method for determining the acidity of urine is the use of a specially prepared indicator based on two volumes of a solution of red neutral alcohol with a concentration of 0.1% and one volume of an alcohol solution of blue methylene with the same concentration. Then 2 ml of urine is mixed with 1 drop of the obtained indicator. The color of the resulting mixture determines the approximate PH content.
A bromthymol blue indicator for measuring acidity is prepared by mixing 0.1 g of a powdered indicator with 20 ml of warmed ethyl alcohol. The resulting mixture is cooled, diluted with water to 100 ml. Then 3 ml of urine is combined with a drop of indicator and the result is evaluated by the color obtained.
The indicators listed above require some investment of time. Compared to them, indicator strips are considered to be a simpler and more affordable method for measuring pH. This method is used both at home and in many treatment and prevention centers. pH test strips help to determine the reaction of urine in the range from 5 to 9 units.
However, indicator test strips are not as accurate as a special device - an ion meter.
Causes of acidic urine
Increased acidity of urine (aciduria) starts from pH 5 and below. An acidic environment is considered suitable for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. The reasons are as follows:
- features of the diet (meat products increase acidity);
- gout, leukemia, uric acid diathesis and other pathologies that cause acidosis;
- active physical activity, living in a hot area, working in a hot shop, etc.
- long fasting, lack of carbohydrates;
- alcoholism;
- medications that increase acidity;
- stage of decompensation during diabetes mellitus;
- renal failure, which has a severe pain syndrome;
- allergic manifestations in children.
Causes of Decreased Acidity
Why can an alkaline reaction of urine occur? Decreased acidity (a condition called alcaluria, when the pH is high) can be caused by a variety of factors. For example, this happens when the menu changes abruptly. It may also indicate a malfunction of the renal mechanism for regulating acidity due to tubular acidosis. It is possible to confirm this by examining the urine for several days.
Other reasons why alkalized urine may occur include:
- the predominance of plant foods in the menu, the use of alkaline mineral water and other products that can reduce acidity;
- infections of the urinary system;
- severe vomiting;
- stomach diseases;
- diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, etc.;
- rickets;
- postoperative period (alkaline balance values may increase significantly);
- excretion of phenobarbital through the kidneys.
Alkalinization of urine is accompanied by weakness, headaches, nausea, etc. If it is not possible to normalize the acid-base balance by excluding foods that reduce acidity from the diet, you should seek help from a doctor. A slightly acidic environment, significantly exceeding the norm, is suitable for the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
How to normalize the acid-base balance?
In a healthy person, the acid-base balance is kept within 6 - 7. If for some reason this balance has shifted, you should seek help from a doctor. The fact is that pH affects the activity of bacteria - acidity can both reduce and increase the pathogenicity of microorganisms. As a result, medications have varying degrees of effectiveness.
The doctor will help you find out what provoked unpleasant symptoms, find the source of the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment, and also tell you how to lower or increase the pH. FROM timely diagnosis will make therapy as effective as possible.
Against the background of the fight against the disease, which led to a shift in the balance of acid and alkali in the body, it is necessary to stop the intake of harmful substances. Fatty meat, sausages, canned food, sugar, semolina are excluded from the diet. A good metabolism is possible when a sufficient amount of acids and alkalis enters the body.
Acid-containing foods are lean meat, fish, and cheese. The supply of alkalis to the body occurs due to vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries that reduce acidity. Therefore, the normalization of CLB is possible if the types of products and their quantity are correctly combined. According to the golden rule, the diet of people with problematic urine acidity should be 80% alkaline-forming foods and 20% acid-forming.
As we all remember from the school chemistry course, pH is a unit of hydrogen ion activity, equal to the reciprocal logarithm of the activity of hydrogen ions. Thus, water with a pH value of 7 has 10 -7 mol per liter of hydrogen ions, and water with a pH of 6 has 10 -6 mol per liter. The pH scale can range from 0 to 14.
In general, water with a pH less than 7 is considered acidic, while water with a pH greater than 7 is considered alkaline. The normal pH range for surface water systems is between 6.5 and 8.5 and for underground systems between 6 and 8.5.
The pH value of water (H 2 0) is 7 at 25 °C, but upon contact with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, this equilibrium shifts to a pH of approximately 5.2. Due to the close relationship of pH to atmospheric gases and temperature, it is highly recommended that water be tested as soon as possible. After all, the pH of water is not a measure of the stability of an acidic or alkaline reaction and does not give a complete picture of the characteristics or reason for limiting water supply.
soft water
In general, water with a low pH (less than 6.5) is acidic, soft and corrosive. Thus, metal ions such as iron, manganese, copper, lead and zinc from the aquifer, plumbing and pipelines can penetrate into the water. Therefore, low pH water can:
- contain elevated levels of toxic metals;
- lead to premature damage to metal pipes;
- have a metallic or sour taste;
- dye linen;
- have a characteristic "blue-green" coloration of the sink and drains.
The main way to solve the problem of low pH water is to use a neutralizer. It feeds the solution into the water to prevent water from reacting with domestic plumbing or electrolytic corrosion. Typical Neutralizer - Chemical Neutralization with this agent increases the sodium content of the water.
hard water
Water with a pH above 8.5 is hard. It does not pose a health hazard, but may cause aesthetic problems. These problems include:
- Formation of "scale" or sediment on pipelines and fixtures.
- An alkaline taste in water that can make coffee taste bitter.
- Scale formation on dishes, washing machine, pools.
- Difficulty in obtaining foam from soaps and detergents and the formation of insoluble deposits on clothes, etc.
- Reducing the efficiency of electric water heaters.
Typically, these problems occur when the hardness ranges from 100 to 200 milligrams CaCO 3 /l, which is equivalent to 12 grams per gallon. Water can be softened through the use of ion exchange or the addition of ash, lime and soda, but both processes increase the sodium content of the water.
pH of drinking water
Careful attention to pH control is essential at all stages of water treatment to ensure satisfactory water quality and disinfection. Although water pH does not usually have a direct impact on consumers, it is one of the most important performance parameters for water quality. For effective disinfection with chlorine, the pH should preferably be less than 8. The pH of the water entering the distribution system must be controlled to minimize pipe corrosion. Failure to do so may result in contamination of drinking water and adverse effects on taste, odor and appearance.
The optimum pH value will vary for different materials depending on the composition of the water and the nature of the building materials used in the distribution system, but is most commonly in the range of 6.5-9.5. Extreme pH values can be the result of accidental spills, breakdowns in wastewater treatment plants.
The ideal pH level of ionized water for long-term human consumption is between 8.5 and 9.5 (and never exceeds 10.0) with an ideal ORP of around 200mV-300mV (and never above 400mV).
PH of pool water
As mentioned above, pH is an important characteristic not only for drinking water, but also for swimming pools, since chlorination is still mainly used to disinfect water, and when using chlorine, the effectiveness of disinfection is highly dependent on the initial pH value of the water.
Chlorine is the main disinfectant to prevent infections in public pools, but chlorine also reacts with organic matter in the water to form disinfection by-products (DSBs): organic matter is a derivative of humic substances formed as a result of the interaction of water with sweat, urine, hair, skin cells and personal care product residue from swimmers. The content of PPD can be measured as the sum of all halogenated compounds. Some DAAs increase the risk of developing asthma, are carcinogenic, or irritate the eyes and skin.
Chlorine is a common name that forms chlorine gas that reacts with water. Dissolving in water, the acid forms hypochlorite and has a pKa value of 7.5.
Chloric acid is much more effective than hypochlorite at killing bacteria, cysts, spores, and inactive viruses. Thus, if the pH value of the swimming pool is at the lower end of the regulated range, less chlorine needs to be produced for the same degree of disinfection, and therefore less potentially dangerous RCPs are formed in the water. As shown by numerous studies, the optimal pH level of water in the pool lies in the range from 7.5 to 8.0. With a decrease in pH by only 1-0.5 units (up to 7.0-6.5), the level of PPD significantly increases, which, moreover, are also genotoxic.
Methods for determining pH
The pH scale is a logarithmic scale, which means that every 1 unit increase or decrease represents a change by a factor of 10. For example, a pH 11 solution is 10 times more alkaline than a pH 10 solution. There are several methods to determine the pH of water. .
pH Determination with Test Strips
Test strips are litmus paper that reacts by changing color to pH fluctuations. You can buy them at pet stores, as they are often used to determine the pH of water in aquariums (even a slight fluctuation in this indicator can lead to the death of fish).
On contact with the test strip will change. You only have to compare the final color with the sample color chart on the package and get a specific value. This method for determining pH is fast, simple, cheap, but has a fairly large error.
Litmus paper "Rottinger"
Purchase at medical equipment stores in your city. After analyzing various ph tests (from cheap Chinese to expensive Dutch), we came to the conclusion that the German Rottinger ph strips give the minimum error in the reading. The package comes with an indicator scale from 1 to 14 (the maximum available interval!) And 80 ph strips, which are enough for a long time. Using these strips, you can measure not only the ph of water, but also the ph of biological fluids such as saliva, urine, etc. Since good ph meters are quite expensive (about 3000 rubles), and you have to buy buffer solutions for calibration, then Rottinger litmus paper, the price of which does not exceed 250-350 rubles, will serve as your indispensable assistant in accurately determining the ph level.
pH determination with a pH meter
A water sample (20-30 ml) is taken into a plastic or glass cup. The sensor of the device is rinsed with a small amount of distilled water, and then immersed in the solution together with the temperature sensor. The instrument's scale shows you the exact pH value of the test solution. In this case, it should be taken into account that the accuracy of measurements is affected by regular calibration of the instrument, for which standard solutions with a known pH value are used. This method for determining pH is accurate, simple, fast, but requires more material costs compared to the previous one and the simplest skills in working with laboratory equipment and chemical solutions.
Thus, the pH of water is not just a term from a school chemistry course, but also an indicator of water quality that must be monitored in order to avoid problems with equipment and health.
