A 55 year old woman visits a popular eatery for lunch. She orders a cheese pizza and bacon pizza with extra cheese and has about 3 large glasses of cola (ph value 3). On the way back home she experiences heartburn and abdominal pain, and has diffigulty breathing. She drinks a lot of water and has to cunsdume milk of magesia (ph value 10.5) before she feels better.
Classify the liquids that she has consumed as acidic or alkaline.
State the ph values of water and blood.
State what the patient can include and avoid in her diet on a regular basis to avoid these symptoms in the future.
tomatoes are acidic, as is cola. Cheese is slightly acidic (lactic acid), has a pH about 5.5
I am amazed this woman has lived 55 years on this diet. It won't last much longer.
This just adds to the information provided by Bob Pursley.
pH<7 = acid
pH=7 = neutral
pH>7 = basic (alkaline)
To determine whether the liquids that the woman consumed are acidic or alkaline, we need to compare their pH values to the neutral pH of 7.
The cola with a pH of 3 is acidic, as any pH value below 7 indicates acidity. The milk of magnesia with a pH of 10.5 is alkaline or basic, as any pH value above 7 indicates alkalinity.
Water has a neutral pH of 7, which means it is neither acidic nor alkaline. Blood also has a pH value around 7.35-7.45, making it slightly alkaline.
To avoid the symptoms of heartburn, abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing in the future, the patient should consider making dietary changes. Here are some suggestions:
1. Include alkaline foods: Incorporate more alkaline foods into the diet to balance out the acidity in the body. Examples of alkaline foods include leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, almonds, and legumes.
2. Avoid trigger foods: Identify and avoid foods that tend to cause acid reflux or heartburn. These may vary from person to person, but common triggers include spicy foods, citrus fruits, fatty or fried foods, chocolate, caffeine, and carbonated drinks like cola.
3. Maintain healthy eating habits: Eat smaller meals more frequently instead of large portions, as overeating can contribute to acid reflux. Don't lie down immediately after eating, and try to eat at least a few hours before bedtime to allow digestion to occur before lying down.
4. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help dilute stomach acid and maintain the overall pH balance in the body.
5. Reduce stress levels: Stress can worsen digestive symptoms, so it's important for the patient to find ways to manage stress through activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies.
It is always advisable for the woman to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for a personalized diet plan based on her specific needs and medical history.