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10 Shocking Things That Happen To Your Body After Giving Birth

10. Postpartum Thyroiditis The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located below the Adam’s apple between your lower jaw and your neck. Thyroiditis is when your thyroid… Denis Courtney - February 5, 2017

Life begins at conception. A mother, depending on the situation, may become very happy or very frustrated with the news that she’s carrying a baby. This depends on whether the baby, the pregnancy was planned, or whether it was accidental. Regardless, all life is a gift and we must guard it by keeping the pregnancy and letting the baby have the pleasure of coming into the world and beginning to live.

Pregnancy is a journey. Through it all, mothers face many challenges. These challenges may not be the same for all mothers. Different women go through different experiences during pregnancy. Pregnancy usually has three phases. The first trimester, the second trimester, and the third trimester.

The first trimester is the first three months. This is when most women realize that they are carrying life. During this phase, the body has just realized that there is something extra that it needs to do. Various hormones are released during this stage to ensure that the baby stays in the uterus and remains safe. Through these hormones, some become intense and bring about early signs of pregnancy. The first sign that a woman is pregnant is that she misses her monthly periods. Nausea and vomiting become part and parcel of her morning and evening routine. Fatigue and general body weakness also appear in this first phase.

The second phase is the fourth to sixth month. During this period, for most women, the belly begins to swell. The baby starts to form into a human-like creature. The eyes and digestive system begin to develop. The appetite of most women increases during this time and the rate at which pregnant mothers consume food may be shocking in some instances. Most mothers also develop food preferences or cravings.

The third and most important stage is the seventh to ninth month of gestation. During this period the baby begins to fill out and look even more like a human being. Toward the time of delivery, the baby usually shifts and the head is facing down, ready to be born.

During birth a series of activities take place. Birth hormones trigger the uterus, cramping begins, and the vulva begins to dilate to create a passage for the baby on its way out.

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When the baby is finally delivered, your role automatically shifts. The first weeks after birth may prove to be difficult, but after some time, you develop a motherly instinct, and a bond is created between you and your baby. You will spend these first few weeks changing diapers, feeding the child and making sure that the baby is fine and comfortable. The role may come with a lot of pressure, but you should relax and ask for help when you need it. After a few weeks, these roles of motherhood will turn into daily routines, and from then till forever, these roles will remain part and parcel of your life.

During the few first weeks after delivery, a woman may experience some changes both physically and emotionally. These changes may include postpartum blues, excess hair loss, hot flashes or night sweats, post-baby belly, painful breasts and post-partum thyroiditis.

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1. Postpartum Blues

Postpartum blues is a type of clinical depression that can affect both the mother and father after childbirth. It is also referred to as clinical depression. Irritability, anxiety, sadness, low energy, crying episodes, reduced desires for sex and changes in sleeping and eating patterns are some of the symptoms that come with postpartum blues.

Contributing to postpartum depression is hypothesized hormonal changes. This condition begins three to four weeks after delivery. Severe cases of postpartum blues may lead to postpartum depression. Hormones responsible for this state include testosterone hormones, progesterone hormones, and thyroid hormones. These hormones cause mood swings or mood changes right after delivery.

Profound lifestyle changes after giving birth may also be a major influence on postpartum blues. This happens mostly in fathers who do not have to go through hormonal changes right after childbirth. However, once the baby is in the house, sudden changes occur.

First change in sleeping patterns. Sleeping patterns after delivery will automatically have to change. This is because the baby will awaken parents from time to time when in need of a diaper change, milk or when the child is unwell and unable to sleep. Parents may even go to the extent of making a timetable showing who will take charge of the baby and at what time. This is why fathers in some countries are allowed a three-week paternity leave. Which is very considerate for the male partners!

Some factors can increase the risk of postpartum blues if not dealt with on time. These factors include; birth-related psychological trauma, low self-esteem, low social support, poor marital relationship, low socioeconomic status, infant health problems, unwanted or unplanned pregnancies, cigarette smoking, formula being used instead of breastfeeding, previous miscarriage or stillbirth and maternity blues.

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There are different ways to help you cope with postpartum blues. Some ways of dealing with post-partum blues include creating a secure attachment with your baby. Both mothers and babies need a secure emotional attachment. Once this attachment is created, your baby will no longer be a liability. This promotes the brain of both the mother and the baby to respond cohesively. This attachment makes you feel confident and happy as a mother. Another way of dealing with postpartum blues is by asking for and accepting help from other people. Being a mother is not an easy endeavor. You should accept as much support as you may have available, especially for new mothers. You cannot make it on your own. You should seek help.

Also, be sure to take good care of yourself as well as your baby. This is very important because it will make you feel worthy and wanted. After birth, you should not shift all the attention to your baby; make time to bond and strengthen your relationship with your partner as well.

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2. Post-Labor Pains

The first six weeks after giving birth may not be easy for some mothers. This is due to post-labor pains. Post-labor pains are caused by the physical changes that take place in your body after childbirth. The changes that cause this pain may include bleeding and sore muscles as a result of extreme pushing during delivery. Post-labor pains may come in the form of a sore vagina, which may be accompanied by discomfort, pain and numbness.

Pain is also experienced in your uterus. This is a result of contractions of the uterus. During pregnancy, the uterus expands in order to accommodate the growing fetus. There is a lot of space left in the uterus after birth. The uterus needs to contract in order to return to more normal size. During this contraction, a certain degree of pain is experienced.

The vagina, on the other hand, may swell. For mothers who have had a vaginal birth, the vagina may be swollen after delivery. This swelling is due to a lot of pressure exerted during delivery. When a mother pushes for the baby to come out, the pressure exerted on the walls of the vagina causes swelling. This pain and swelling may last for almost two weeks. Another pain in the vaginal region is when virginal tears occur during birth, and they have to be stitched. This is very painful especially when urine passes over that particular place.

Cramping is also a postpartum pain. Most mothers experience this for two to three days after delivery. Cramping may cause mild or even intense pain to the mother. This cramping can be intense, especially for breastfeeding mothers. The sucking of the baby triggers the release of the oxytocin hormone, which triggers contractions. However, postpartum blood loss is reduced by this hormone, so as much as they may cause pain, they are very helpful.

For postpartum pain relief, you may try the following tips. With your pillow under your belly, lie face down. For some moms, massaging the belly gently helps a great deal in easing the abdominal pains. Even if you don’t feel the urge, you should try to urinate as often as possible. This may help to reduce the cramping. For postpartum pain, consult your doctor before using any pain-reducing medication, especially if the cramping lasts longer than three days.

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3. Painful Breasts

After birth, most new mothers have to deal with painful and swollen breasts. A few days after delivery, your breasts may feel very normal or they may feel very tender. A few more days afterward, the breasts start producing milk for your baby, and they may become tender, hence breastfeeding may become a very painful experience.

After birth, the breasts are soft and tender because they only have colostrum, the first milk that is very rich in nutrients. After a while, the hormones responsible for producing breast milk may cause some discomfort when activated, and the breasts start filling with milk. Due to the pressure from the milk inside the mammary glands, the nipples swell and may become very painful. Some mothers may refuse to breastfeed their babies due to the intense pain experienced during breastfeeding. This denial may become very dangerous, as it may lead to a severe case of breast engorgement. Other than breast engorgement, refusing to breastfeed may make the mammary glands dry up, hence early weaning. This is because these glands are activated as the baby sucks.

You can tell when your breasts are engorged. This is because the breast swell and the nipples become very painful. This is very normal for mothers who have just given birth, and this causes the mother to panic. The swelling of the breasts may even extend to the armpit and this may cause pain, and you may experience a fever as well.

To deal with painful breasts, following are some helpful tips. Within two hours of birth, ensure you breastfeed so that milk does not accumulate in the breasts, causing breast engorgement. You should nurse the baby frequently. Make sure to breastfeed the baby at least fourteen times a day. This will ensure a continual supply of enough milk for your baby because the glands will produce enough milk according to the consumption of the milk by the baby.

Before switching to another breast make sure that you breastfeed completely on one breast first. This will ensure that milk will not be accumulated in one breast making it swell and becoming painful. As much as possible, use pumped milk instead of formula milk as a supplement. Formula milk should only be used according to your doctor’s or your lactating counselor’s recommendations. Use a breast pump, or express your milk using your hands, to store up in case your baby refuses to breastfeed. Do not let the milk accumulate in the beast.

To treat engorgement, nurse frequently, gently massage the breast to dissolve the milk, you may apply a cold pack on your breasts to soothe the pain, and lastly, nurse frequently.

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4. Virginal Dryness

Another afterbirth-related problem is virginal dryness. Apart from afterbirth, virginal dryness may be caused by various other factors. They include menopause, failure of arousal before sex, a few varieties of contraceptives, some cancer treatment, and breastfeeding after childbirth. Vaginal dryness may cause discomfort and uneasiness, but after a few months, it may disappear on its own.

In afterbirth, vaginal dryness cases are mostly caused by breastfeeding. This is because, as you breastfeed, the hormones overconcentrate in the glands to produce milk. The hormonal imbalance during this time may course vaginal dryness. Women will mostly experience this vaginal dryness for about three months after delivery.

Symptoms for virginal dryness are reduced sex drive, virginal itchiness, discomfort or irritation, discomfort during sex, repeated urinary tract infections, vaginal surface may look pale and thin instead of moist and fatty, difficulty reaching orgasm or even being aroused, and an urge to pee more often than normal. If you experience these signs, then chances are you have vaginal dryness and you should surely do something about it.

Vaginal dryness can be controlled by some methods. One remedy is to consume a lot of water and fluids. This fluid will help keep the virginal area well hydrated, hence it will reduce the dryness in the vagina. Also, you can use lubricants to moisten it. There are gels or liquid that you can apply directly to your vagina or vulva, or your partner’s penis before having sexual intercourse. Also, these lubricants off short-term relief and pleasure during sex.

Another method is by using moisturizers specifically for the vagina. These liquids or gels are applied to the vaginal area in order to help keep it moist. They are longer lasting compared to other lubricants. To get rid of virginal dryness they may need to be applied for a few days.

Virginal estrogen too may be used for the same purpose of moisturizing the vagina. This is mostly prescribed to people who are experiencing menopause, but they are equally good for vaginal dryness as a result of breastfeeding. If the dryness turns out to be very severe then one can decide to try hormone replacement therapy to see if it can be helpful for her.

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5. Vaginal Bleeding

Vaginal bleeding, or lochia, as it is commonly known, is the blood that flows from the walls of the uterus. This happens monthly for most women and it is a normal experience for women. After birth, vaginal bleeding is just as normal. At first, the blood will be a light read and very heavy. The blood may have clots during the first three to seven days after birth. The blood will gradually change to brownish-pink. Then the blood will turn yellow-white. After having a baby, you may bleed for as long as six weeks, or for as short as three weeks. This is a very normal undergoing for every mother that has just given birth.

This happens as a result of open blood vessels. When the placenta is detached from the uterus, these open blood vessels are left behind. The open blood vessels then bleed into the uterus, leaving behind a flow of blood. This blood is almost the same as monthly periods, but is usually thicker with massive clots. The blood is drastically reduced when the uterus contracts, causing the blood vessels to eventually close. In the case of a tear during birth, until the tear is sutured, the blood will continue to flow from that place as well. Synthetic oxytocin and a massage may be given by the person helping with the delivery to help the uterus contract so that it may close the blood vessels and reduce the blood flow.

To manage this blood flow that comes as a result of childbirth, you need to do a series of things. First and foremost, you should use sanitary pads. These pads should be heavy-duty because of the presence of clots in the blood and the increased blood flow. As the blood flow reduces, you can then switch to mini pads. You should avoid tampons due to the delicate healing of the vagina and uterus. Tampons may easily cause an infection in the vagina and also in the uterus.

In the case of over-breeding, you should seek medical advice. The following are just a few signs and symptoms that you are hemorrhaging. For four days after your birth, the blood is still light red. This may mean that the uterus has not yet contracted and that the blood vessels are not closed, and they are still removing a lot of blood. When your blood has a bad smell, or you get chills or fever, you may need to see a doctor.

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6. Post-Baby Belly

Hormonal changes cause your abdomen to reduce right from the time you have been delivered. Your abdomen may take at least four weeks before it comes back to normal. Normal means the shape your abdomen was in before you were pregnant. This does not guarantee a flat belly. In most cases, women end up acquiring rounder abdomens than before they were pregnant.

During pregnancy, the uterus and abdomen muscles are usually stretched for a long period of time probably four to five months for most women before they give birth. This stretching makes the belly expand in order to accommodate the baby who is growing in the womb. For the tummy to shrink back to normal, it may take a longer time. To get toned and flat belly for those who gave birth through a C-section, it may even take a year for the belly to get back to normal.

After birth, it is important to restore your original body shape by shedding the extra pregnancy weight. Chronic diseases, such as heart conditions and diabetes, may come as a result of too much body weight, hence it is important to restore your original body weight.

Exercise is very vital in retaining the body weight and shape you had before getting pregnant. One of the exercises designed for this purpose is the pelvic tilt. This should be started as soon as possible after your delivery. For mothers who delivered naturally, you may start after one week; for those who had a C-section, they may start as soon as their wound is completely healed.

Here is how to do this exercise: with one pillow under your hips, and another between your legs, lie flat on your back. Rise slightly after inhaling and exhaling. This exercise improves your stamina and abdominal strength.

Here is another good exercise: with your legs hip-width apart, lie on your back with your knees bent. Pressing your heels into the floor, extend your left foot. Repeat the same exercise with your right foot. Do this for about two minutes. This exercise is important because it helps strengthen the lower back and the transverse muscles while supporting your core. It also helps to lower your pulse. Single leg lifts and pelvic tilts are also important exercises, so be sure to do them as well.

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7. Loss of Hair

After birth, many women’s hair may enter into a resting stage. This is perfectly normal when the resting stage is accompanied by massive loss of hair. What happens during this period is that when you start to breastfeed the level of the hormone estrogen increases.

This rapid growth sends at least five to six percent of your hair into a resting stage. During the resting stage, five percent of your hair follicles begin thinning, causing the hair to start falling out. When it comes to the average woman, at least one hundred hairs may fall out in a day. As serious as this condition may seem, it is a temporary condition. A few months after delivery, the estrogen levels come back to normal, and the hair begins to grow at an increased pace again. Over the next fifteen months or so, your hair may come back to normal, and the thickness of your hair will be restored.

Loss of hair in the first few months of delivery should not surprise you; it is a natural stage of hair growth, and it is normal. More than 30 percent of women who have just given birth experience hair loss. If you do not experience hair loss, that is perfectly normal as well, because different women have different hormone levels throughout their pregnancies. If you do experience hair loss, don’t panic, your hair will go back to normal again in due time.

The bad news is that this condition can’t be stopped. When you are undergoing a time of hair loss, the best thing to do is just to come to terms with it. A variety of products like hair thickeners may come to your mind to use. For new mothers who find it very difficult to experience hair loss, some just decide to cut their hair short. This is just fine to do, because the hair will eventually grow back to the length it was.

During this time of hair loss, you may want to refrain from doing a lot of harsh things with your hair that may cause even further hair loss. This includes using binders for pigtails, curlers, curling irons, hair blowers, etc. Biotin and silica-inclusive shampoos should be your best friend in the shower. And finally, avoid combing or brushing your hair when it is wet.

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8. Hemorrhoids and Constipation

Hemorrhoids are inflamed and swollen blood veins in your lower abdomen or around the anus. Hemorrhoids are also called piles. External piles form under the skin around the anus. As soon as they appear, hemorrhoids should be treated as advised by the doctors. Some symptoms accompany hemorrhoids. These symptoms are painless bleeding, and irritation or itching may be experienced in the anal area. From the anal region, you may notice protrusion of lamps, pain, and discord experienced in the anal area, and finally, leakage of feces. Hemorrhoids may happen after giving birth and may make a mother very uncomfortable.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids caused by giving birth include itchy anus, swelling after a bowel movement, bleeding, and pain around the anus. To deal with hemorrhoids, you may soak your anal area in water by having a sitz bath. You can soothe the hemorrhoid area by applying some witch hazel. To release pressure on the rectum, you may want to sit on a pillow or other soft cushiony surface. Intake of fluids and dietary fiber should be increased to deal with hemorrhoids. A stool softener in some cases may be prescribed for you too. These are a few ways to help ease or do away with hemorrhoids.

Constipation, on the other hand, is either not passing stool regularly, or it can also mean passing no stool at all. Constipation is a normal condition experienced by many mothers after they give birth. When you have constipation, you should up your fluid intake. For water, you can take between eight to ten glasses each day. Consuming some form of prunes is helpful too, because prunes are laxatives; they are natural and do quite well for a case of mild constipation. When you wake up each morning, remember to warm some liquid and drink it. It will help a great deal. If constipation persists, then seek medical advice as soon as possible.

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9. Night Sweats or Hot Flashes

During labor, one may sweat a lot; however, this may not be the end of sweating. Sweating may also happen periodically after you have given birth. Night sweats and hot flashes may alarm many women. Do not panic. This also happens because of changes in your body’s estrogen level, which causes changes in your body temperature. All the excess fluid retained during pregnancy is also excreted from your body through hot flashes and night sweats.

This oftentimes happens a few weeks after delivery. Night sweats and hot flashes are perfectly normal for mothers who have just given birth. Also, due to an increase of the hormone prolactin in the body, sweating and hot flashes become part and parcel of over 80 percent of mothers who have just delivered. This comes with an increase in milk production as regulated by the hormone prolactin.

For bottle-feeding mothers, you may wonder why you have experienced hot flashes. This is because milk production is still active and the hormone prolactin becomes present too as a result of this milk production. For bottle-feeding mothers, the level of night sweats may be reduced sooner because the prolactin won’t be stimulated by nursing.

Hot flashes and night sweats may last for six weeks for nursing mothers. For some lucky mothers, hot flashes may only last between six to eight days. However, don’t worry if you are still experiencing hot flashes numerous weeks after delivery. This is still normal for some mothers. Though as a symptom, night sweats and hot flashes may indicate a problem. These symptoms may indicate a bout with the flu, with temperature increases and lump or swollen breasts.

Hot flashes may even take a few months to stop. The following are tips that may help you take care of your afterbirth body while experiencing hot flushes and night sweats. Make sure you drink plenty of water, because your body, due to heavy sweating, may become dehydrated. To help prevent rashes and excess moisture from hot flashes, put on some talc-free powder, which will help absorb some of the moisture produced during night sweats. To help allow the sweat to evaporate during night sweats and hot flashes, wear light and loose clothing.

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10. Postpartum Thyroiditis

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located below the Adam’s apple between your lower jaw and your neck. Thyroiditis is when your thyroid becomes inflamed, oftentimes in the first month after birth. This condition is not common. Postpartum thyroiditis may last from a few weeks to a few months after delivery. This type of thyroid abnormality may easily be ignored because most of the time it is associated with the stress experienced by mothers just after birth.

The symptoms of thyroiditis are nervousness, palpitations, irritability and intolerance. In the second phase of this condition, women may experience other signs and symptoms such as cold intolerance, dryness of the skin, general aches and pains, impaired concentration due to discomfort, poor memory and carelessness. Immunologic suppression that can occur during pregnancy induces fetus intolerance while in the womb. This suppression is important to diagnose, because, without a mother’s properly functioning thyroid, her fetus may be rejected in the womb, resulting in a miscarriage.

Mild thyroiditis is not an overly dangerous situation for mothers who have just given birth, and it only becomes a discomfort to you and other people around you when you begin experiencing symptoms like irritability and mood swings. Some people may find it awkward or uncomfortable to be around you because of being easily irritated.

A new mother is at risk of getting an infection when there is a history of thyroiditis disorder in her family. This is an autoimmune disorder and may cause your body to have highly concentrated amounts of anti-thyroid antibodies. For the treatment of postpartum thyroiditis, you must see a doctor for medical attention.

After giving birth, it should be an exciting feeling for the mother. When you experience the aforementioned symptoms, and any other unusual symptoms, you should be certain that you are taking proper precautions early on. As always, be certain to take good care of yourself before, during, and after becoming a mother.

Health

15 Signs that Indicate Your Body is Too Acidic & How to Fix it Fast

The body’s acidity level usually refers to the amount of acids that one’s body fluid contains, as opposed to the basic level, which refers to the… Denis Courtney - February 5, 2017

The body’s acidity level usually refers to the amount of acids that one’s body fluid contains, as opposed to the basic level, which refers to the amount of alkalinity one’s body fluid contains. The reason why the body contains alkaline is to neutralize the level of the acids in the body to keep it normal. If one’s body has too high an acid level, the first thing that one can suffer from is stomach discomfort at a greater level. The body has body fluids like saliva, blood, and urine that aids in the transportation of acids and alkaline throughout the parts of the body.

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The fluids transport the alkaline and acids throughout the body for lubrication, transportation of oxygen, excretion of waste in the body as urine and sweat, as well as transporting nutrients throughout the body. The pH of the body must always be balanced to avoid disrupting the body’s functions. The potential hydrogen is what generally measures the acidity and basic (acid or alkaline) levels in the body. Scientifically, the pH level ranges from 0-14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, or balanced. A pH below 7 is acidic, and a pH above 7 is basic.

The higher the pH level the more likely your body has more fluids, resulting in a higher level of alkaline. On the other hand, the lower the pH level, the lower the amount of fluids in one’s body, hence the higher acidic levels. So, medical doctors usually tell their patients that in order for their body to be healthy and safe, their blood should have a pH level ranging from 7.35 to 7.45; their urine should have a pH level ranging from 4.6 to 8.0, and their saliva should range from 7.0 to 7.5.

In recent days, people have been too busy to take care of their health, and they do not pay close enough attention to the acidity level in their body. The most important thing that one needs to be aware of is that excess acid in the body can lead to a lot of destruction in the body. High acidity can lead to liver damage, heart failure, and it might even destroy some parts of the nervous system. With this in mind, people need to develop a way to help maintain their acidic level in their body.

Here are some signs that one should be aware of that might indicate the acidic level in their body is too high and therefore should take steps to rectify:

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1. Excess Weight

Excess weight results from your body having to deal with too much junk in it; the excessive, unnecessary things in your body tend to create an imbalance in the level of acids and bases in your body, therefore resulting in one being overweight. What mainly cause the body tissues to expand is the high level of waste in the body, which can result in a high acidity level. Too much cholesterol, sugars, and sodium, as well as not enough exercise often leads to an increased level of acids, which in turn can lead to one suffering from weight gain.

The excess acids in the body wind up not being eliminated because the waste-carrying organs like the colon, kidneys, lymph system and skin end up overworking. They eventually get overwhelmed by removing the excess acids. In order to have the body feel comfortable, its organs develop a new habit by finding different places to store the excess acids. This can result in excess weight and is done by the body taking the excess acids and pushing them into the body tissues, like excess cholesterol, and in turn, the acids stick to the fat cells, which then results in the body gaining weight.

The body needs fat cells to store fats and acids that will later be excreted from the body. If the body makes the fat cells store excessive amounts of acids, excretion becomes difficult. When this happens, the body adapts to the new changes by making the body accommodate the acids, which can lead to excess weight.

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The acids come from some of the popular foods that people oftentimes consume, like French fries, sugary drinks, and sodas, as well as alcohol, which leads to more acids in the body. The body might not be able to break down all this waste, and because they can stick in the body, they might not only lead to gaining weight but may also lead to heart disease and kidney failure. The best way to avoid this problem is to consume less of what we mentioned earlier. Eating smaller quantities of these foods, or avoiding them altogether, as well as making sure you drink plenty of water and get physical exercise, may help lower your acidic levels, which in turn may help you lose weight and feel better.

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2. Weak Bones

Older adults are very prone to suffer from weak bones; however, people from other age groups may suffer from it too, but they do not take a keen interest in it. Weak bones result from one’s body having excess acids to deal with. Some of these acids come from within the body itself, while other acids can come from different drugs and foods that we consume on a daily basis. For some people, the acid level in the body can be raised due to the use of drugs and alcohol on a regular basis.

When all this happens, the body tends to do everything in its power to increase the alkaline levels in order to neutralize the high acidic levels. This is because the body needs a neutral pH level of 7 for it to function properly. So how does the body get all this extra alkaline from within the body? The body actually pulls minerals stored in the body tissues. One of these minerals is calcium, which comes from the bones. One of the functions of calcium is to keep the bones strong. So, as a result of calcium being pulled from the bones to neutralize acidic levels, bones can become weak.

So, one might avoid gaining weight, but he or she might end up having weak bones if their acid levels are too high. For athletes that use chemical substances to boost their body functioning level, they might end up having weak bones too. Eventually, their bones might become so brittle that they may end up spending many years using crutches, or wheelchairs, or may even become bedridden. The body is an amazing, united being. It somehow performs like a united being that will not let another part fail when it can save it. This is the reason why the bones will give up its calcium in order to save the rest of the body.

Lack of calcium in bones has been found to lead to osteoporosis or osteopenia, which in turn leads to bone weakening. When this happens, the bones become brittle and are easily broken. This is one of the main reasons why patients are often advised by doctors to refrain from consuming foods that are high in acidic content, like beef, soda and any other foods that are rich in sugars and cholesterol levels. Instead, one can enjoy eating by substituting them with natural foods like fruits and other sources of proteins that are not high in acidic content.

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3. Dental Problems

The thing that makes one’s bones strong is the availability of calcium in them. Teeth tend to have similar mineral content as bones. So, the excess acids in the body can result in the calcium in the teeth being pulled out to help make the other body parts function properly. People tend to think that the only thing that leads to weak teeth is tooth decay from not brushing enough. Well, that may be true for the most part, but another problem teeth are likely to suffer from is lack of calcium in the body. This is because the calcium in teeth may be pulled out in order to neutralize one’s pH level, very similar to what can happen to bones like we mentioned earlier.

The pulling out of the calcium in teeth may, in turn, result in the body getting sick from various tooth problems. A study in 2014 by the International Journals for Chemical Engineering showed that low amounts of pH levels in the mouth could cause the tooth enamel to weaken. This, in turn, results in the teeth not being able to function properly due to its inability to handle hot or cold foods. The teeth might also end up having holes in them due to the lack of calcium.

The study also suggested that consuming too much sugar in the mouth also leads to the increase of acidic levels in the body, which in turn throws off the neutral pH level needed for good health. With all this, one needs to protect their teeth by taking into consideration the foods they are eating and the level of the acids they contain. As a result of this, one may develop cavities that are often very painful when one consume sweet foods. The best way to avoid all this is by consuming food and beverages with low sugar content. For children, especially those that have already lost their baby teeth, parents should avoid buying them snacks rich in sugars and calories in order to help keep them healthy and to have good dental checkups.

It is a healthy practice to visit the dentist at least twice a year. One should stay away from foods high in acids and should consume foods high in calcium in order to encourage strong teeth. For people that are already affected by sensitive teeth due to weak or eroding enamel, the best thing for them to do is to ask their dentist if they recommend a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.

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4. Fatigue

Being fatigued is a condition that is experienced by most people; we tend to think that it is just a normal body condition because of our hectic lifestyle. The truth is, the body gets fatigued often due to bacteria that come as a result of too high an acid level in the body. Bacteria, fungi and other unwanted microbes tend to thrive best in acidic levels in the body. When a body consumes too many acids, it tends to pave the way for microbes to increase in number. As a result, the body gets fatigued and might end up affecting other parts of the body, like brain functions and a normal heart rate.

Other body conditions that one might suffer from are autoimmune diseases, which include attacking healthy cells because it is unable to differentiate them from the harmful bacteria that have invaded your body. This is a dangerous problem in the body, because it may lead to other diseases like mumps and meningitis. The bacteria in the body make themselves comfortable, and any time the body tries to fight them, it gets tired, which can lead to overall fatigue. When the body is overly tired, one is not able to perform his or her daily routine normally. They might end up thinking that it is normal for their body to feel that way.

Microorganisms in the body often cause a lot of problems by assuming the functions in the body that are performed by the immune system and hence it leads to the body losing healthy cells. The microbes often hold the body parts, like the digestive tract, the lungs and other organs and tissues, which results in the immune system being over-driven and end up seeking help from the other bacteria that are in the body that are not required to perform the function.

This organism also deprives the body of absorbing nutrients into one’s body, like minerals and vitamins. As a result, one’s body depreciates, and fighting any diseases that may come into it is very difficult. The poor absorption of minerals into the body leads to the body producing less energy, and as a result, the body gets fatigued and is unable to perform its functions properly.

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5. Skin Problems

The condition of a person’s skin is vitally important to control many aspects of the body. The better a person’s skin is, the more likely it will perform its functions properly and improve one’s overall condition. However, skin problems can come as a result of a low level of pH in the body. As we know, the skin is one of the detoxifying agents of the body. The skin aids the excretion of excess fats and acids from the body through sweating. This excretion process occurs when there is too high an acid level in your bloodstream. The skin is designed to take care of a certain amount of excess acid in order for the body to function properly, but may not be able to if there is an overabundance of acid in the body.

Excess acids float around in your body and tend to create a home for bacteria and fungus, and they increase in numbers daily as one continues to consume foods high in acid content. When this occurs, the liver does its best to flush them out. But when it fails, it gets help from the skin, resulting in the skin being prone to certain bacteria, which in turn may lead to infections on the skin.

The negative results manifest in the form of rashes, allergies, acne, and eczema. This can make one’s appearance unattractive, and the skin may continue to itch, causing discomfort. One is advised to seek medical attention, as well as take the recommended steps to stop excessive consumption of foods that will increase the body’s acidity level. One of the ways to reduce this bacterial infection disease on your skin is by consuming healthy foods and ensuring that you seek medical attention when needed. This may include medication to aid in cleansing the blood, which will help your skin to get better.

One can also avoid the use of deodorants and body products during this period so that the skin can have ample time for healing. Lack of observing all this may lead to the body not being able to function properly due to clogged pores. One should avoid clogging his or her blood with acids so that the kidneys can perform their function properly and the skin can get back to performing its important job, and not be clogged up with bacteria.

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6. Mucus Buildup

Mucus in the nasal system is a result of the body having to excrete too many acids from the body. This is because the acids in the body build up bacteria that might cause flues and cold. Some of the people who suffer from this are children because they often endure breathing problems and suffer from the flu very often. When their body cells are increasing, the level of food consumption increases and they are not able to keep track of the amount of acidic foods they are consuming daily.

It is medically proven that if one is suffering from mucus buildup, it is actually a result of high acidic levels in the body that has overwhelmed it. It is important to keep a close eye on this and get medical attention if needed, because the increase in the level of mucus may lead to blockage in the lungs, and the breathing system may become impaired. The mucus in the nasal passages tend to become blocked as well; this makes it very difficult to breathe for children who do not know how to get rid of the mucus in their nose. They tend to suffer a lot from breathing problems.

Mucus buildup in the lungs might lead to death in newborn babies when they are trying to breathe. This problem is also common in people that are suffering from asthma and lung cancer. The condition is difficult to cure if one has gotten deep into it without discovering it in the early stages of development. The mucus problem can become very irritating and exhausting because one needs to blow their nose all the time to make the nasal passages clear in order for one to get an ample amount of oxygen in their lungs.

When one is suffering from this condition, urgent medical treatment is required, because the constant mucus exposure in the lungs oftentimes can make it difficult to exhale. It also results in excessive coughing, wheezing, sinus problems and chest pain. Excessive coughing worsens the conditions and impairs the lung’s ability to expand and compress during the inhalation and exhalation process during the day and especially when one is trying to sleep. One is advised to take fluids that are rich in oxygen and reduce the level of sugar consumption as they increase the level of acids and reduces the chances of one’s healing.

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7. Muscle Pain

Muscle pain results from the body’s inability to be able to transport oxygen into the tissues, especially after the body has undergone strenuous exercise. Too much acid in the body hinders the blood from transporting oxygen into some of the body parts leading to muscle pull. The oxygen-carrying capillaries that run through the body are attacked by bacteria that make the body unable to supply oxygen to the tissues. This results in strain in the muscles, as well as oxygen deprivation. A person’s muscles are supposed to relax and not be injured when using their muscles. To ensure that, one should avoid consuming unhealthy foods that increase the acidity level in the body. If necessary, with the advice of a medical professional, one may take supplements to help strengthen their muscles.

The obstruction of the oxygen-carrying capillaries also leads to the obstruction of vitamins and minerals being carried around the body, because the blood is hindered from its necessary flow. A person’s blood needs to be cleared of excess acids in order for it to be able to function properly on a daily basis. Lack of a healthy bloodstream in the body may also lead to a weak immune system.

In such situations, the deprived muscles lead the body to endure a lot of pain and discomfort as it struggles to perform its required functions. Also, muscle twitching is a result of high acidic levels in the body. The stomach also tends to suffer from what is called “heartburn” as a result of excess acids in the stomach that comes from the food we consume, as well as abnormal levels of alkalinity in the body too. When one is suffering from this, they may need to seek medical help to get any imbalance under control.

In the situation of an imbalance in the acidic level, the deprived muscles in the body part tend to overreact by thinking that they are overworking themselves when in fact they are not. The muscle pain then results in the body suffering from fatigue, and one may also be very apprehensive about doing the thing he or she was doing before the encountered the muscle pain. The overload of acids in the body might end up making one gain weight from not exercising due to muscle pain. One way to remedy all of this is to get the body’s pH level neutralizes once again.

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8. Sleeplessness

Well, if you come to find yourself not getting enough sleep, even though your body really wants it, then it might be a result of low pH levels (acidic) in your body. The body needs to coordinate with your brain so that it can know when to sleep; high-stress levels often lead to an imbalanced level of pH in one’s body as it makes the brain have to work harder than usual. When one is stressed, the body tends to release hormones that may cause an imbalance in the acidity levels in the body. These hormones may tend to release dangerous acids that can accumulate in the body and may result in keeping the brain from functioning properly.

Kidney failure may be due to excessive consumption of waste products that are unable to be excreted, which leads to the body being unable to get proper sleep. Failure of some of the body parts that excrete waste products from the body properly may also lead to the body not getting enough sleep. This problem can result in one’s body becoming weak, and one may even pass out unexpectedly, causing a dangerous situation. Calcium is known to help with one’s sleep. The body can suffer from the lack of sleep because the body is pulling if out of bones and other places in order to neutralize the body’s acidity.

People that take a lot of drugs and alcohol tend to suffer from lack of sleep because of the decrease in calcium in their bodies. One is advised to consume foods rich in calcium to avoid all these dangerous side effects of low calcium levels. Lack of excreting urine and other acids in the body might lead to a lack of sleep.

One is also advised to seek medical attention if insomnia is chronic. This is also a clear indication that they should avoid the use of chemicals that will cause pH levels in the different parts of their body from balancing. One should also keep in mind that lack of sleep for more than a week weakens the body’s systems and wears out the heart’s ability to transport oxygen to the other parts of the body. When left uncorrected, it may eventually lead to death. Medical researchers have found out that for one to reduce the acidic levels in the body, the following natural ways should be considered.

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9. Keep Yourself Hydrated

A well-hydrated body will help keep one’s body in good condition because it helps to ensure that the acids are being taken to their required places. And it also ensures that enough oxygen is being transported to the body tissues so as to avoid the frequent muscle pain due to the capillaries’ inability to transport enough fluids with oxygen in it. A frequently hydrated body tends to keep the unwanted acids moving from the system and excreted properly.

It is important to note that any effort that one takes to cure her or his body is meaningless unless the body is adequately hydrated. In hydrating the body, it is advisable to use pure water that does not have any additives except the ones that are medically proven to be healthy. It is advisable to start your day by taking a glass of warm lemon water. Yes, lemon is acidic in nature, but it is medically proven that lemon juice is only acidic outside the body. When it is inside the body, it becomes metabolized, and the level of the acid in it is reduced.

The body then takes the lemon in it as it helps in improving the metabolic level in the body. As a result, the lemon helps in raising one’s pH levels to the normal range required. If the acidity levels are excessive, then it is advisable to carry lemon water around and drink it as you continue to perform your normal routine. It has also been medically proven that taking at least seven glasses of water a day helps in the hydration of the body; this will greatly make one’s body function normally and reduce the chances of getting into problems like liver failure, skin problems and sometimes heart failure.

The liquids that one consumes are important, and so one should ensure that he or she does not drink alcohol that is rich in acidic levels as it is killing your liver. Another method to avoid all this for the children is by ensuring that they take a glass of milk after every four hours and also one is required to ensure that they have taken water that has lemon as an additive in it.

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10. Eat Organic Foods and Fix Your Calcium and Magnesium Levels

As we have seen, a lack of adequate amounts of calcium levels results in the body experiencing fatigue, and the teeth and bones getting weak. Also, the nervous system and the heart tend to become unhealthy. Lack of calcium in the body leads to certain body organs pulling out some of the calcium in the bones and teeth in order to function properly, which may result in their deterioration of them. To avoid all this from happening in your body, you should consider eating dark leafy green vegetables as they are rich in calcium.

Other natural sources of calcium are dry fruits and seafood because they grow in acidic areas, and consuming them increases the body’s metabolic function which leads to the balancing of acidic levels. Other grains are also good sources of calcium. You can take supplements after consulting a medical doctor to know the right amount to take in order to help keep your pH levels balanced. Also, you can help in solving the problem by avoiding foods that are genetically modified. This is because these foods contain chemicals and other additives that increase the level of acid in the body. It is also advisable to stop the consumption of high levels of alcohol, foods that are rich in caffeine, like drinking coffee and soft drinks and eating processed meat.

Consuming all this during the day causes an imbalance in the pH levels, which may result in one’s body gaining weight, and could lead to obesity. When one makes it a habit to consume this type of food often, he or she may become addicted to them. If this happens, it may result in one being unable to stop the cravings. And the more the body wants and receives, the more the acids are being consumed and accumulated in the body. Artificial sugars are sources of acids.

Also, as one is trying to reduce the consumption of acids in the body, he or she should consider taking care not to completely deprive the body of acids, because a certain amount of acid is necessary to maintain a balanced pH level. When the pH level is balanced, the body is better able to perform its function. This is because it gives the body energy and helps the tissue generate heat to keep the body warm. One should keep a close eye on the signs that the body is producing and come up with a natural way of fixing it as soon as possible.

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11. Shortness of Breath

The high body acid levels cause a lack of calcium. Lack of adequate amounts of calcium levels results in your body experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath and weak teeth and bones. Also, the nervous system and the heart tend to become unhealthy. Insufficient calcium in the body leads to certain body organs pulling out some of the calcium in the bones and teeth.

Other natural sources of calcium are dry fruits and seafood because they grow in acidic areas. Consuming them increases the body’s metabolic function which leads to the balancing of acidic levels. Other grains are also good sources of calcium. You can take supplements after consulting a medical doctor. It is important to know the right amount to take in order to help keep your pH levels balanced.

You can also help in resolving the problem by avoiding foods that are genetically modified. This is because these foods contain chemicals and other additives that increase the level of acid in the body. It is also advisable to stop the consumption of high levels of alcohol and foods that are rich in caffeine. Drinks like coffee and soft drinks and eating processed meat should be avoided.

Consuming all this during the day causes an imbalance in the pH levels. This may result in your body gaining weight and could lead to obesity. When you make it a habit of eating this type of food often, you may become addicted to them. If this happens, it may result in being unable to stop the cravings thus a continuous intake of acid causing discomfort such as shortness of breath causing heavy breathing.

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12. Increased heart rate

Healthy bodily acid levels can be reduced by exercising healthy daily eating routines. An increased heart rate is an indication of high acidity in the body. Starting each morning with a fruit assists in the balancing of acid build up in the body. The citrus food that are acidic in nature such as oranges, grapefruit, and tangerine are good for your body. They contain alkalizing properties once they are ingested and digested by the body. A lack of the nutrients provided by these fruits decreases bodily acid that causes an increased heart rate- which can become a problem.

Fruits such as apples and apple cider vinegar are highly effective as treatments for high acidity in the body. Although fruits like oranges, apples are naturally acidic in composition, they are composed of acids that are healthy and enzymes. These acids and enzymes assist your body in neutralizing the acid. They establish the recommended neutral or healthy PH levels for normal bodily functions. For optimal results, organic apple products should be used. This ensures that the pesticides and various chemicals exacerbating body acid are reduced from entering the body.

Fruits are also an excellent substitute for junk food which as we saw earlier, which exacerbates high acid levels. The fruits do not contain any unhealthy fats which together with acid, create difficulty in the excretion of waste. The sugars contained in fruits are also a good substitute for sugar contained in other processed foods.

Overall, the nutrients and benefits of fruits outweigh food choices that are heavily processed and are considered junk food. Not only do they decrease acidity in our bodies, but fruit also has many benefits. This includes maintaining a consistent heart rate.

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13. Headaches

We often hear about how great it is to incorporate vegetables in our meals to increase health. When experiencing frequent headaches you can suspect high acid levels. Green leafy vegetables assist in the alkalization of the body. Eating green leafy vegetables neutralizes acids and the consequence of this is a decreased chance of health conditions like headaches and osteoporosis.

Wild green and leafy vegetables that are also generally eaten raw such as lettuce are the best option. Other vegetables such as beet greens and spinach should preferably be eaten only in moderation. The reason is that they contain high oxalic acid. This acid prevents calcium absorption in these foods. These vegetables should, therefore, not be used-up as a main source of calcium.

Vegetables that are brightly colored such as peppers, carrots, and potatoes also all have high alkalization properties. This can neutralize and balance acid levels within the body system. These vegetables may be incorporated into the diet to assist in maintaining low acidity levels in the body. Like fruits, vegetables are an excellent substitute for junk food. Sweet food causes high acidity, in turn, causing frequent headaches. Eating leafy greens also has other advantages. They are low in fat and calories and may help keep healthy blood pressure. They also assist in building and maintaining your immune system of the body, therefore, promoting overall good health.

It is, therefore, of crucial importance for your diet to contain leafy vegetables, but colored vegetables are equally a good choice. Including these foods in everyday meals promotes good health, they lower acidity levels in the body. These foods also boost an unhealthy immune system helping the body fight off any diseases and infections.

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14. Lack of appetite

It is no surprise that eating food that naturally causes acid to be produced will increase body acid levels. High acidity may cause a lack of appetite in all or in specific kinds of food. To avoid appetite loss you can start by avoiding acid-inducing foods. You must stay away from alcohol and caffeine. Food products that contain caffeine include coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Food products that contain alcohol are all categories of alcohol such as whiskeys and brandy, wine and ciders. The next thing to avoid is dairy products, meat, grains and especially, processed food items.

Most cold-cut meat, pasta, breakfast cereals, and oats are more food groups that should be avoided. These foods have a tendency of increasing the acid levels in your body. Not all these food are bad although this sounds like most of the food that one often eats on a normal daily basis. Eating this food in moderation should leave a person in good and proper health. If you are not completely sure how to appropriately eat these foods, you can get advice from a dietitian.

It should further be kept in mind that the closer the food grows naturally, the better it is for your health. Therefore, whole wheat grains, cereals, and food that is unprocessed is the healthier option. It will also reduce the chances of creating acidity in your body.

It is important for the diet to be monitored, keeping in mind that unprocessed food is always a good choice. Including these considerations in everyday meals promotes good health and lowers the acidity levels in the body. Balanced acidity levels will reduce problems of appetite loss and promote good health.

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15. Rapid and shallow breathing

Sometimes, the bodies require a bit of extra help in ensuring that it is functioning at its optimal level. Unfortunately, one of the more serious problems caused by high acid concentration is rapid and shallow breathing.

Considering the other signs, rapid and shallow breathing can be linked to the other symptoms of high acidity in the body. It can be linked to fatigue, weight gain, and increased heart rate. The fat that gathers and is stored in your blood vessels due to acidity blocks the flow of blood. This, in turn, forces the heart to beat faster in order to compensate for the low blood flowing through the clogged vessels. Following this, oxygen is not transported as frequently, causing you to feel fatigued all the time.

It is, therefore, important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to reduce acidity in your body. This also reduces you from experiencing the symptoms associated with having high acid levels in the body. This is accomplished by eating the correct foods and sometimes, the help of supplements can be employed. Supplements that are made of alkaline properties are meant to balance acid levels. Supplements containing calcium are made to mitigate the negative effects of high acid levels in your body. Whether experienced in isolation or in unison, these signs and symptoms should not be taken lightly or ignored.

If you are experiencing these signs in an extreme manner or for a long time, you should seek medical attention. This is to enable the condition to be treated before it becomes dire or severely serious. It also allows for the remedy to be suggested according to the specific conditions of the person.

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