How to Check pH Balance
Although mild fluctuations in your body's pH level are normal, moderate to severe fluctuations can suggest that a negative health condition is present. By checking your pH level over a period of several days, you can identify any pattern of low or high pH levels that might indication conditions such as the development of kidney stones, infections or gout. You can get an at-home kit and test your pH levels in private.
Things You'll Need
- Urine test strip Urine collection container Urine color coding chart Notepad Pen Medical evaluation
Instructions
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The Process
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1
Purchase at-home urine test strips; collect a first morning urine sample to test. Put the urine test strip in the sample for the time period indicated on the test kit's instructions.
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2
Remove the test strip from the urine sample. Examine the test line on the strip for pH levels and compare the color code to the color coding strip to determine your pH levels. Make a note of the pH level range with a pen and paper. Check to see if your pH levels are normal, which are indicated by a range of zero to seven.
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3
Repeat the pH level test daily for three to four days, and make a note of the pH levels you get. Persistently high or persistently low pH levels need further evaluation by your doctor.
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4
Check your pH level to see if it is higher than seven; this can indicate that there is too much alkaline in your urine content. Visit a doctor if you suspect that your high pH level is caused by a health condition, or if you have a pH level in high ranges for a period of several days; higher pH levels can indicate the presence of infection or can reflect that you have been vomiting if you are presently ill.
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5
Check to see if your pH level is below seven, which suggests that your urine content is acidic. Take the test again on a daily basis for three to four days; if you continue to get low pH level results, you might need a medical evaluation to rule out a low-grade fever, a high fever, gout or kidney stone development.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider changes in your diet that might reflect a low or high pH level; a vegetarian diet can elevate pH levels in the body and might explain a high pH level test. Think about what medications you are taking because they can affect the outcome of a pH test. Drugs containing alkaline or producing alkaline might affect a pH level test. Repeat pH testing at the same time each day--first thing in the morning--to get the most accurate assessment possible.
Do not ignore extreme fluctuations in pH levels, and if you have low or elevated pH levels, seek out medical assistance to restore bodily health. Some conditions that are indicated by low and high pH levels require special medications and treatments to remedy. Gout and kidney stones can worsen without medical assistance.
