Causes of increased acidity of urine and its determination at home. Acidity of urine and nutritional characteristics

10.09.2019

Urine is a liquid that is the result of human activity. The excretory system of the body, in particular the kidneys, perform many important functions, for example, the regulation of acid-base balance. An acidic or alkaline urine reaction detected by clinical analysis is not considered normal. A similar phenomenon speaks of improper diet or pathological changes that can cause serious illness.

Together with urine, metabolic products are excreted from the body. Urine is formed in the renal tubules after filtering the blood. Urine contains water, substances arising from the breakdown of proteins, and salt. The two extreme groups of components have a total specific gravity of no more than 3% of the total volume.

The pH level is an important indicator through which you can understand what the state of a person is today. Essentially, pH records the activity of hydrogen particles in body fluids. The acidity of urine directly depends on the presence of bacteria in the body, therefore, deviations from the norm in most cases indicate infectious diseases of the genitourinary system.

Minerals such as magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium are responsible for the acidity index. As the pH level rises, the organs have an additional responsibility to process and remove accumulated acid. This requires Mg, K, Na, Ca, which are removed from the bones, where their presence is vital.

As a result of the impact, the skeletal system suffers. A decrease in acidity also affects human health negatively. In any case, if deviations in the pH level are detected in the analysis of urine, their root cause should be found and the acid-base balance of the body should be restored.

What determines the reaction of urine

The reasons why the acidity of pH changes can be pathological, among them:

Inflammatory process in the organs of the genitourinary system.
Acidity of the stomach.
Disruptions in the work of the kidneys.
Ailments that provoke alkalosis (blood alkalization) or acidosis (blood oxidation).

Also, deviations in the pH level can be recorded in the presence of meat, milk and plant products in the diet. Protein food increases the acidity of urine, and the other components listed above alkalize it. The volume of liquid drunk and the characteristics of metabolic exchange are of great importance.

Alkalinization of urine is a natural biochemical process that blocks the negative effects of organic acids. It, along with the regulation of body temperature and heart rate, forms the basis for the correct functioning of all vital systems of the body.

PH test strip

Compliance with the acid-base balance is the key to the normal course of all physiological processes. Therefore, in saliva, blood, urine and other fluids of the human body, the acidity index should be at the required level. Otherwise, homeostasis will be disrupted, which will adversely affect health.

Equilibrium in the body is established by four mechanisms of the buffer type, among them: protein, hemoglobin, phosphate and bicarbonate. Each system takes part in the binding of hydrogen ions. Departure from normal pH values provokes:

Protein denaturation.
Loss of their functions by enzymes.
Violation of intercellular interaction.
Lack of minerals.
Decreased resistance of the immune system.
Creation of a favorable environment for the development of many serious pathologies.
Disruption of protein metabolism.
Intoxication with fat-soluble poisons, due to problems with their excretion from the body.

The bicarbonate buffer mechanism has the greatest influence, without which the formation of carbonic acid is impossible. It comes out due to the release of carbon dioxide molecules. This compound is created by the combination of excess hydrogen ions and similar bicarbonate particles.

Oxidation of the body is more common than alkalization. Both processes are harmful, but an increase in acidity affects an order of magnitude faster. They get rid of its consequences through the principle of moderation, that is, with the help of alkalization. This method is often used in the treatment of cancer. This therapy began to be used after 1932.

Then the scientist Otto Warburg revealed the following pattern: healthy cells of the body are reborn faster into malignant cells due to the low pH level in the blood (less than 7.2 units). This assumption was confirmed when additional research was carried out. Tumors decreased markedly and slowed down their development while maintaining acid-base balance. Of course, it is impossible to completely cure cancer in this way, but the chances of recovery in patients have increased significantly.

Alkalinization of the body is used for preventive purposes. An example of such a therapeutic effect is diet. A well-thought-out course of special nutrition is able to stabilize the acid-base balance. Specialist control is mandatory, because each patient is individual, and it is quite easy to break the delicate border between therapy and aggravation of the problem. Alkalinization does not need to be stimulated, much less increased. It is required to maintain it at a level, which is carried out by the use of the "right" products and breathing exercises.

Not everyone knows that when you inhale, oxidation occurs, and when you exhale, alkalization occurs. This process is regulated in the brain. Therefore, when carrying out such prophylaxis, physical stress on the body is taken into account. Food products are divided into two categories. The first, "oxidizing", as written above, includes meat and fish products. The second, "alkalizing", - fruits, vegetables and milk. It is strictly forbidden to prescribe a diet and other additional procedures on your own. Such treatment with the wrong approach can easily turn into harm.

An alkaline urine reaction is accompanied by:

Accumulation of acids.
Skin rashes caused by inflammatory processes, which are triggered by a decrease in the body's defenses.
Problems with the formation of carbonic acid.
Malfunctions of the respiratory system.
Kidney pathologies due to excessive amounts of oxalic and uric acids.
Inflammation in the oral cavity (stomatitis), weakness of the tooth enamel.

Health problems often arise from stressful situations. This is due to the fact that the "inflated" state causes a violation of all functions of the body. Toxins and "acidic" waste are not completely removed, which leads to the above consequences. Therefore, to get rid of acidic or alkaline urine, negative emotions should be avoided. This will help yoga, fitness, and meditation. On the recommendation of your doctor, you can take a sedative course.

Normal indicators

Physiological processes proceed without the formation of pathological changes if the pH is normal (7.37-7.44 units), that is, if the reaction is neutral. In the case of obtaining an indicator that is lower, they talk about the oxidation of the body. If the pH is more than the upper limit of the permissible norm, then an alkaline urine reaction is diagnosed.

Deviations can be short-term or permanent. The latter fit into the clinical picture of diseases of the urinary system of the body. Short-term ones do not have a pathological nature if they are in the range from 4.5 to 8 units. They appear during sleep if a person is hungry or too full. Normal should be morning and evening pH values.

The activity of hydrogen particles in urine depends on age and individual characteristics. For example, in healthy newborns, the norm is 5.4-5.9 units, in premature babies, 4.8 to 5.4 units. After some time, the pH will stabilize. The norm in pregnant women is the same as in other adult patients, but the reasons for the deviations are somewhat different.

During pregnancy, the load on the entire body increases, in particular, on those organs that are located in the abdominal cavity. If the pH drops, then the patient suffers from toxicosis or a lack of potassium. An increase in this indicator indicates the presence of protein products in the diet.

Acid reaction of urine

If an acidic reaction is detected in a laboratory study of urine, what does this mean? Acidification of urine can occur due to:

If such a deviation is found, the attending physician prescribes additional tests that allow you to determine the reasons for its appearance. If necessary, use other diagnostic methods.

Alkaline urine reaction

With an alkaline reaction of urine, doubts often arise about the correctness of nutrition. Excessive consumption of dairy products, vegetables and fruits confirms the suspicions that have arisen. But if the diet is properly balanced, the organs of the excretory system should be checked. It is possible that an infection was localized in them, which provoked pathological changes. An alkaline urine reaction indicates that an environment has formed in the body that is favorable for the development of many serious diseases.

Such results of laboratory research of urine (general, biochemical analysis) arise due to:

Vomiting.
Drinking a lot of mineral water.
An increase in the level of acidity in the stomach.
Taking certain medications (adrenaline, bicarbonates, nicotinamide).

Pathological conditions leading to shifts in the pH of the blood and urine

There are many diseases that can lead to deviations in the pH value in urine. A diagnosis is not made on the basis of a single analysis. To determine the cause of the malaise, the patient will have to undergo a complete examination. Indeed, a correct diagnosis entails a correctly selected treatment, as a result of which the expected effect will be obtained.

Acidic and alkaline urine reactions occur when:

Hyperventilation of the lungs.
Pathologies of the chronic and acute type of the genitourinary system.
Intoxication of the body.
Oncological diseases.
Diarrhea.
Hypokalemia.
Pancreatic fistulas.
Ureterosigmoidostomy.
Hematuria.
Hyperfunction of the parathyroid gland.

When diagnosing such pathologies that arise in many body systems, you should not give up. The attending physician will prescribe treatment, thanks to which all alarming symptoms go away, and the pH value returns to normal.

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It is not a secret for anyone that for an accurate diagnosis of almost any disease, a laboratory study of body fluids is necessary. And a fairly clear picture of the state of the excretory system is given by urine. Its PH can help in the diagnosis of inflammatory and infectious diseases.

What is urine pH?

The human excretory system is responsible not only for removing excess fluid and toxins from the body, but also ensures normal acid-base balance. It is this criterion that allows you to determine the urine.

PH is the so-called pH value, which shows the amount of hydrogen ions in a solution (in this case, the solution is a urine sample). Such an analysis allows you to determine the physical properties of urine, as well as assess the balance of alkalis and acids that it contains. The results of such studies are extremely important for diagnosis.

What does this indicator depend on?

In fact, there are many factors that can affect the chemical. In particular, pH is largely dependent on human nutrition. People who eat the so-called "heavy food", which contains proteins, sulfur and phosphorus, have an acidic urine reaction (less than 5). If the human diet includes mainly vegetable and dairy products, then the urine reaction will be alkaline (more than 7).

In addition, there are other factors that change urine. PH can fluctuate depending on the characteristics of the metabolism. The chemical composition is influenced by any inflammatory diseases of the excretory system. The process of digestion is also important, in particular, a decrease or increase in the acidity of the stomach. Some medications can affect pH.

It should be noted that the optimal level of hydrogen ions contributes to the normal sanitation of the bladder, and also inhibits the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms, thereby reducing the likelihood of developing an infectious disease.

When is a urine test ordered?

By far the most common sample for research is urine. PH helps to determine the presence of a mass of diseases. That is why such tests are prescribed to all patients with suspected infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as with a number of other disorders, including metabolic disorders.

Prescribed during annual preventive medical examinations. Sometimes such studies help diagnose the disease even before the appearance of external symptoms.

How to pass urine correctly?

In order for the analyzes to be as truthful as possible, it is worth following some rules. Morning urine samples are most informative. The day before, it is not recommended to eat food that can change the physical properties of the liquid, in particular carrots and beets. In addition, diuretics or decoctions should not be taken, as this can affect the chemical composition of urine.

Before collecting samples, it is imperative to wash the genitals, otherwise there will be too many epithelial cells in the samples, which will complicate laboratory testing. It is advisable to collect the median urine.

Another important point is that you should not conduct such a study for women during menstruation, as menstruation can distort the test results. Only compliance with these rules will help to carry out urine analysis as accurately as possible - the pH will correspond to reality.

How is urine pH determined in vitro?

The easiest way to study acid-base balance is to use special indicators. Most often, the determination of urine pH is carried out using litmus paper, which changes its color depending on the reaction of the solution. Each color corresponds to a specific pH value. This method allows you to determine the indicator with an accuracy of 0.5.

There are other, more accurate ways in which urine is examined. PH can be determined using an ionomer (pH meter). This method is more convenient and has a higher accuracy (up to 0.01 units).

Since the pH can change during the day, some patients are advised to measure the pH for seven consecutive days for greater accuracy.

What is the pH of urine?

Depending on the results of the study, doctors make assumptions about the form and severity of the disease. But what is the normal urine pH? Again, this indicator depends on the diet, medications taken, and the patient's age.

In a healthy person, the urine reaction ranges from slightly acidic to neutral. Depending on the characteristics of the diet, this figure can be 4.5 - 8.0.

The normal pH of urine in newborns is lower and ranges from 4.5 to 5.9. In premature babies, this figure drops even lower - 4.8 - 5.4.

What does a high urine pH indicate?

Many people are interested in questions about in which cases urine alkalization occurs. As already mentioned, a similar phenomenon is observed when eating plant and dairy products. Increased acidity of the stomach and frequent vomiting leads to the same result, which leads to the loss of water and chlorine by the body.

On the other hand, there are many diseases in which urine changes. PH rises in many infections of the excretory system. In particular, this happens with cystitis, pyelonephritis and other diseases. It is known that some bacteria cause the decomposition of nitrogen-containing compounds to ammonia, which, in turn, increases the alkalinity of urine.

The same picture is observed in chronic renal failure. An increase in pH can be caused by the use of certain medications, in particular bicarbonates, epinephrine, and nicotinamide. The same happens against the background of hyperfunction, hypoaldosterism and hyperkalemia.

Why is there a drop in pH (acidification of urine)?

A decrease in the pH value and acidification of urine occurs in some infectious diseases of the excretory system, in particular those caused by the activity of tuberculosis microbacteria and Escherichia coli.

The cause may be an increased production of acids in the body. This happens with prolonged fasting, alcohol abuse, sepsis, shock, intense physical exertion, diabetes mellitus.

Naturally, such a change can be caused by taking medications - methionine, ascorbic acid, corticotropin, calcium and ammonium chloride, arginine hydrochloride.

Urine acidification can be caused by a decrease in the level of bicarbonates in the buffer system of the blood, which is observed with severe diarrhea, ureterosigmostomy. Primary and secondary hyperaldosteronism, nephrotic syndrome, hypokalemia, multiple myeloma, cystinosis, poisoning with salts of heavy metals - all these disorders lead to a decrease in the pH value.

Naturally, urinalysis alone is not enough to make an accurate diagnosis. Moreover, not only the pH of urine is taken into account, but also the presence of proteins, salts, uniform blood cells, etc. in it. The study of urine is only part of the diagnostic process, which allows you to assess the work of the excretory system.

pH (acidity) of urine

urine pH(urine reaction, urine acidity) is a pH value that shows the amount of hydrogen ions in human urine. pH of urine allows you to establish the physical properties of urine, to assess the balance of acids and alkalis. Urine pH indicators are extremely important for assessing the general condition of the body, diagnosing diseases.

Determination of acidity is a mandatory diagnostic test when conducting a general urinalysis. The reaction or acidity of urine is a physical quantity that determines the amount of hydrogen ions. It can be measured both qualitatively (acidic, neutral, alkaline) and quantitatively - using pH.

For urine, pH values are as follows:

5.5 - 6.4 - sour;
6.5 - 7.5 - neutral;
more than 7.5 - alkaline.

The urine response should be assessed immediately after delivery to the laboratory. When standing, urine components undergo bacterial decomposition. First of all, it is urea, which decomposes to ammonia, and it, dissolving in water, forms an alkali. Determination of urine pH is carried out using special test strips.

Absolutely healthy people (and there are still such?) Urine is acidic. However, a shift in its pH to the neutral or alkaline side is not a pathology. The fact is that a huge number of factors affect the acidity of urine: diet, physical activity, various diseases, and not only kidney diseases. If in your analysis today the environment is sour, tomorrow it is neutral, the day after tomorrow is sour again, then there is nothing wrong with that. Problems begin if the urine is chronically "not acidic".

Under what pathological conditions can there be a shift in urine pH to the alkaline side?

Hyperventilation of the lungs (shortness of breath).
Loss of acids by vomiting.
Acute or chronic urinary tract infections.
Chronic intoxication, including cancer.

Why is a chronic shift in urine reaction to neutral or alkaline dangerous?

1. Formation of stones in the urinary system.

In acidic urine, only urate stones formed from uric acid can occur. As a rule, these appear with gout and account for about 5% of the total number of stones. For the rest of the uroliths (urinary stones), either a neutral or alkaline environment is required. The most dangerous are calcium phosphates and carbonates.

2. Increased risk of urinary infections.

In acidic urine, bacteria do not live well, but if the urine is neutral or alkaline, then bacteria multiply there very well.

How to influence the acidity of urine?

In the beginning I'll tell you what not to do.

1. Eat a lot of soda.

Since the 30s of the last century, doctors have known Burnett's syndrome. It is also called milk-soda syndrome. The consumption of large amounts of calcium (milk, dairy products, antacids - drugs that reduce the acidity in the stomach: Almagel, Phosphalugel, Rennie, etc.) leads to mild alkalosis (a shift in blood pH to the alkaline side), and, as a result, to alkalization of urine. In mild cases, this only increases the risk of kidney stones. But there are citizens who begin to drink milk or antacids with soda, aggravating alkalosis. As a result, calcium in the blood soars so that it begins to pose a threat to life, causing arrhythmias, muscle weakness, impaired renal function, irreversible loss of vision, etc.

To summarize: all excess soda is excreted from the body in the urine, making it neutral or alkaline.

2. Take a lot of ascorbic acid.

The logic of this action is clear, but there is a problem. Vitamin "C" is not filtered into the urine, all of its absorbed amount goes into metabolic processes with the formation of alkaline products, and they are filtered into the urine. Thus, a large amount of ascorbic acid leads to a shift in urine pH to the alkaline side.

Now about how to make urine acidic. To clarify, these recommendations apply only to people with chronically low urine pH. For preventive purposes, the described methods are not used.

1. Diet.

Food products can be divided into the following groups:

sources of acids - meat and fish, asparagus, cereals, cheese, eggs, alcohol and natural coffee;
base absorbers - products for the processing of which alkalis are spent: sugar, any (white and brown), as well as products containing it (ice cream, marmalade, jam, chocolate, sweets, confectionery), white flour products (white bread, pasta ), solid fats;
alkali suppliers - potatoes and other root vegetables, lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, herbal tea, fresh herbs, fruits;
neutral foods - vegetable oil, legumes, nuts.

To acidify urine, you need to shift the balance of food to the acidic side.

2. Phosphoric acid.

We are talking about the additive E338, which is present as a preservative in Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola and others containing "-cola" in the name. This additive is not metabolized and is filtered into the urine unchanged, making it acidic.

Phosphoric acid also has side effects. It damages the enamel of the teeth, binds calcium in the blood, washing it out of the bones, and Coca-Cola itself contains too much sugar and caffeine, which is unsafe for certain diseases.

Instead of a conclusion.

Do not overdo it when restoring urine pH. An excess of acids in the body (acidosis) can adversely affect the metabolism of vitamins, the functioning of the immune system, etc. In addition, too low a urine pH (below 5.5) is dangerous for the loss of uric acid crystals, which can become stones. Remember - everything is good in moderation.

pH v urine is a common mistake in the pronunciation of the term in patients. "PH" is not a substance or component of urine. pH is a measure of the activity of hydrogen ions, a unit of measurement. Accordingly, it is correct to say pH (or acidity) urine.

Metabolism (metabolism) is a set of chemical reactions that occur in the human body to sustain life. Thanks to metabolism, the body is able to develop, maintain its structures and respond to environmental influences. For normal human metabolism, it is required that the acid-base balance (ACR) be maintained within certain limits. The kidneys play an important role in the regulation of acid-base balance.

The most important function of the kidneys is the elimination of "unnecessary" substances from the body, the retention of substances necessary to ensure the metabolism of glucose, water, amino acids and electrolytes, and the maintenance of acid-base balance (ACB) in the body. The renal tubules absorb hydrocarbons from primary urine and secrete hydrogen ions through the conversion of dihydrogen phosphate to monohydrogen phosphate or the formation of ammonium ions.

Urine excreted by the kidneys contains substances with acid-base properties. If substances show acidic properties, urine is acidic (at pH less than 7), if substances show basic (alkaline) properties, urine is alkaline (pH above 7). If the substances in the urine are balanced, the urine is neutral acidic (pH = 7).

The pH of the urine demonstrates, in particular, how effectively the body absorbs the minerals that regulate acidity: calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. These minerals are called "acid dampeners". With increased acidity, the body must neutralize the acid that accumulates in the tissues, for which it begins to borrow minerals from various organs and bones. With a systematically elevated acidity level, bones become brittle. This is usually a consequence of excessive consumption of meat food and lack of consumption of vegetables: the body takes calcium from its own bones, and, with its help, regulates the pH level.

pH of urine is an important characteristic, which, in combination with other indicators, allows for a reliable diagnosis of the current state of the patient's body.

When the pH of urine shifts in one direction or another, salts precipitate:

at a urine pH below 5.5, urate stones form - an acidic environment promotes the dissolution of phosphates;
at a urine pH of 5.5 to 6.0, oxalate calculi are formed;
at a urine pH above 7.0, phosphate stones are formed - the alkaline environment promotes the dissolution of urates.

These indicators should be taken into account when treating urolithiasis.

Uric acid stones are almost never found with urine pH over 5.5, and phosphate stones never formed if urine not alkaline.

Fluctuations in urine pH levels depend on a number of factors:

inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract;
acidity of the stomach;
metabolism (metabolism);
pathological processes occurring in the human body, accompanied by alkalosis (alkalization of the blood), acidosis (acidification of the blood);
food intake;
functional activity of the kidney tubules;
the amount of liquid you drink.

Systematic deviation from the norm of pH to the acidic side in medicine is called acidosis, to the alkaline side - alkalosis. Since diabetes mellitus, the most common endocrine disease on the planet (which is often almost asymptomatic for a long time) is always accompanied by acidosis, special attention will be paid to diabetes mellitus in this article.

The pH of urine affects the activity and reproduction of bacteria, as a result, on the effectiveness of antibacterial treatment: in an acidic environment, the pathogenicity of E. coli increases, as the rate of its reproduction increases.

Medicines nitrofurans and tetracyclines are more effective in acidic urine pH, antibiotics penicillin, aminoglycosides (kanamycin, gentamicin) and erythromycin from the macrolide group are most effective in alkaline urine.

With bacterial infections of the urinary system of the human body, the pH level can change in both directions, depending on the nature of the end products of bacterial metabolism.

Urine

Urine (urine) is a biological fluid, a waste product of a person, with which metabolic products are excreted from the body. Urine is formed by filtering blood plasma in the capillary glomeruli of the kidneys, nephrons. Urine is 97% water, the rest is nitrogenous breakdown products of protein substances (hippuric and uric acids, xanthine, urea, creatinine, indican, urobilin) and salts (mainly sulfates, chlorides and phosphate).

Hyperglycemia usually results in increased urinary glucose levels.

The danger of diabetes mellitus (especially type 2) lies in the fact that the disease proceeds for a long time with almost no symptoms: the patient may not be aware of its existence until the moment when in the body already there were no irreversible changes that could have been prevented by timely diagnosis and therapy.

Urine is universal indicator, indicating a particular failure in the functioning of organs. The cause of acidic urine can be both an unbalanced diet and diabetes mellitus, in which there is an increased acidity of urine (the pH value shifts to around 5).

pH

pH, pH (from the Latin phrase pondus Hydrogenii- "weight of hydrogen" or potentia Hydrogenii, English power Hydrogen - "the power of hydrogen") is a measure of the activity of hydrogen ions in a solution, quantitatively expressing its acidity. The concept of pH was introduced in 1909 by the Danish biochemist, Professor Søren Peter Lauritz Sørensen. The most common mistake in the Russian language is the correct pronunciation of pH ("pe ash") - pH ("er en").

pH is equal in magnitude and opposite in sign to the decimal logarithm of the activity of hydrogen ions, expressed in moles per liter (mol / liter).

pH = - log (H +).

Inorganic substances - acids, salts and alkalis, in solutions are separated into their constituent ions. Positively charged H + ions form an acidic environment, negatively charged OH - ions form an alkaline one. In significantly dilute solutions, acidic and alkaline properties depend on the concentrations of H + and OH - ions, the activity of which is related to each other. In pure water with a temperature of 25 ° C, the concentrations of hydrogen ions () and hydroxide ions () are the same and amount to 10-7 mol / liter, which directly follows from the definition of the ionic product of water, which is equal to 10-14 mol² / l² ( at temperature = 25 ° C). Thus, the generally accepted minimum value for pH = 0, maximum = 14 (although, in exceptional cases, in technical industries, the pH can be either negative or higher than 14).

Accordingly, solutions and liquids (as well as the media in which they are present) with regard to their acidity are considered:

acidic at levels from 0 to 7.0;
neutral at level = 7.0;
alkaline at levels from 7.0 to 14.0.

In the human body, the acidity value cannot be less than pH 0.86.

Acidity

Acidity (from Latin aciditās) - characteristic activity of hydrogen ions in solutions and liquids:

If the acidity of any medium or liquid is below 7.0, this means an increase in acidity, a decrease in alkalinity;
If the acidity of any medium or liquid is above 7.0, this means a decrease in acidity, an increase in alkalinity;
If the acidity of any medium or liquid is at = 7.0, this means that the reaction is neutral.

In medicine, the pH of biological fluids (in particular: urine, blood, gastric juice) is diagnostically important a parameter characterizing the patient's state of health.

renal tubular acidosis - according to ICD-10 - N25.8, a rickets-like disease (primary tubulopathy) characterized by persistent metabolic acidosis, low bicarbonate levels and increased serum chlorine concentration. The urine reaction is sour;
urinary tract infections - infections of the lower (urethritis, cystitis) and upper urinary tracts (pyelonephritis, abscess and kidney carbuncle, apostematous pyelonephritis). The reaction of urine is both acidic and alkaline (sharply alkaline);
De Toni - Debreu - Fanconi syndrome - according to ICD-10 - E72.0, a rickets-like disease manifested by damage to the proximal renal tubules with impaired tubular reabsorption of glucose, bicarbonate, phosphate and amino acids. The urine reaction is alkaline;
metabolic acidosis - according to ICD-10 - E87.2, P74.0 - a violation of the acid-base state, manifested by low blood pH values and a low concentration of bicarbonate in the blood plasma due to the loss of bicarbonate or the accumulation of other acids (except carbonic acid). Urine reaction - acidic (with proximal tubular acidosis - alkaline);
metabolic alkalosis - according to ICD-10 - E87.3 - a violation of the acid-base state of the body, characterized by an absolute or relative excess of bases, an increase in the pH of the blood and other tissues of the body, due to the accumulation of alkaline substances. Metabolic alkalosis occurs in some pathological conditions, accompanied by disturbances in electrolyte metabolism, in particular, in hemolysis; in the postoperative period; in children suffering from rickets and / or hereditary disorders of the regulation of electrolyte metabolism. The urine reaction is alkaline;
respiratory acidosis, respiratory acidosis - a condition in which the pH of the blood shifts to the acidic side due to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in it (due to insufficient lung function or breathing disorders). The urine reaction is sour;
respiratory alkalosis, respiratory alkalosis - a condition in which the pH of the blood shifts to the alkaline side, due to a decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide in it (due to rapid or deep breathing, hyperventilation). Respiratory alkalosis can be caused by stress, anxiety, pain, liver cirrhosis, fever, overdose of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). The urine reaction is alkaline;
drug monitoring;
prevention of renal calculi (nephrolithiasis, nephrolithiasis).

Clinical interpretation of urine pH results is only relevant when correlated with other information about the patient's health; or when an accurate diagnosis has already been established, and the results of a urine test allow conclusions to be drawn about the course of the disease.

The acidity level of urine is of clinical importance only in combination with other symptoms and laboratory parameters.

There are four main methods for determining the pH of urine at home, the study is carried out in vitro :

litmus paper;
Magarshak method;
indicator bromothymol blue;
visual indicator test strips.

Also, to determine acidity, you can use the services of clinical laboratories, where the study will be carried out as part of a general (clinical) analysis.

Laboratory (general, clinical, OAM) urine analysis is a complex of laboratory urine tests carried out for diagnostic purposes. The advantage of laboratory analysis of urine over other diagnostic methods is not only the assessment of the biochemical and physicochemical properties of urine, but also the microscopy of the sediment (using a microscope). The disadvantage of the method is the relative high cost, the impossibility of obtaining the result promptly, the need for a sample to be returned in a special container.

Determination by litmus test

Litmus, litmus paper, litmus indicator - an acid-base indicator, the reagent of which is a dye of natural origin based on azolitmine and erythrolithmin. The urine reaction is determined using blue and red litmus paper.

During the analysis, both pieces of paper are immersed in the test sample, the urine reaction is ascertained by the color:

If the blue paper turns red, but the red does not change color, then the reaction is sour;
If the red paper turns blue, but the blue does not change color, then the reaction is alkaline;
If both papers have not changed color, then the reaction is neutral;
If both litmus papers have changed color, then the reaction is amphoteric.

Determine the specific pH value of urine with litmus impossible, it is more accurate to determine the acidity of urine using liquid indicators (the most reliable results can be obtained using only the pH of the test strip).

Magarshak method in determining the acidity of urine

The method (method) of Magarshak for determining the acidity of urine consists in its colorimetry after adding an indicator, which is a mixture of neutral red and methylene blue.

To use the Magarshak method, an indicator should be prepared: add one volume of a 0.1% alcohol solution of methylene blue to two volumes of a 0.1% alcohol solution of neutral red.

The procedure for determining acidity: 1 drop of an indicator is added to a container containing 1 - 2 ml of urine, after which the sample is mixed.

Decoding of the results obtained by the Magarshak method is carried out according to the table below.

	Approximate pH value
Intense purple
Purple
Light purple
Gray purple
Dark grey

Gray green
Light green

Determination of urine reaction with bromothymol blue

To determine the reaction of urine with a bromothymol blue indicator, a reagent should be prepared: dissolve 0.1 g of the crushed indicator in 20 ml of warm ethyl alcohol, after cooling to room temperature, bring to a volume of 100 ml with clean water.

The procedure for determining acidity: 1 drop of bromothymol blue is added to a container containing 2 - 3 ml of urine. The border of the transition tones of the indicator will be in the range of pH from 6.0 to 7.6.

The obtained color of the test sample	Urine reaction

	Slightly acidic
Grassy	Weak alkaline
Green, blue	Alkaline

The advantage of determining the reaction of urine with the indicator bromothymol blue is cheapness, speed and simplicity of the study; disadvantage - the inability to distinguish urine with normal acidity from pathologically acidic, the study gives only approximate the idea of an acidic or alkaline reaction.

Urine pH test strips

To determine the acidity of urine, you can buy a pH test strip - the most simple and affordable tool designed for independent analysis of urine for acidity at home. In addition, pH test strips are used in medical centers, clinical diagnostic laboratories, hospitals (clinics), medical institutions. To conduct research and decipher the result of pH analysis - possession of special medical knowledge not required... The most common form of release of test strips in pharmacies is packaging in the form of a tube (pencil case) No. 50 (50 test strips, which, when periodic self-monitoring of the patient corresponds approximately to the monthly need. At systematic self-monitoring, at least three times a day, this package is enough for approximately two weeks).

Most visual pH test strips are designed to measure the reaction of urine in the pH range from 5 to 9. The indicator zone reagent is a mixture of two dyes - bromothymol blue and methyl red. As the reaction proceeds, the acid-base indicator of the test strip turns from orange through yellow and green to blue, depending on the reaction of the urine. The pH value is determined either visually (according to the supplied color scale or photometrically using a laboratory urine analyzer (photometrically).

The procedure for determining the acidity of urine with test strips:

Remove the test strip from the pencil case (tube);
Immerse the strip in the test sample;
Take out the test strip, remove excess urine by gently tapping on the container;
After 45 seconds compare the colored indicator with the color scale.

Buy Bioscan pH (Bioscan pH # 50 / # 100) - Russian strips for the analysis of pH in urine from Bioscan.

pH strips with two indicators:

Albufan test strips (AlbuPhan # 50, AlbuPhan) are European test strips from Erba, designed to assess the urine response and the extent of proteinuria (proteins in the urine).

pH strips with three or more indicators:

Pentafan / Pentafan Laura (PentaPhan / Laura) urine test strips for reaction, ketones (acetone), total protein (albumin and globulins), sugar (glucose) and occult blood (erythrocytes and hemoglobin) from Erb Lahem, Czech Republic;
Bioscan Penta (Bioscan Penta # 50 / # 100) strips with five indicators from the Russian company Bioscan, allowing to conduct urine tests for reaction, glucose (sugar), total protein (albumin, globulins), occult blood (erythrocytes and hemoglobin) and ketones;
Uripolian- strips from Biosensor AN with ten indicators, allowing urine analysis according to the following characteristics - reaction, ketones (acetone), glucose (sugar), occult blood (erythrocytes, hemoglobin), bilirubin, urobilinogen, density (specific gravity), leukocytes, ascorbic acid, total protein (albumin and globulins).

Self-diagnosis with test strips is not a substitute for regular health assessment by a qualified medical specialist, doctor.

The indication for the appointment of laboratory pH analysis of urine is often urolithiasis. Analysis of urine pH provides an opportunity to determine the likelihood and nature of stone formation:

with acidity below 5.5, uric acid (urate) stones are more often formed;
with an acidity of 5.5 - 6.0 - oxalate stones;
with an acidity of 7.0 - 7.8 - phosphate stones.

A pH of 9 indicates improper storage of the urine sample.

Laboratory pH analysis of urine is prescribed by medical specialists to monitor the state of the body while following a specific diet, which includes the use of foods with low and high content of potassium, phosphates, sodium.

pH urinalysis is indicated for kidney disease, endocrine pathology, diuretic therapy.

When carrying out a laboratory study of urine, fresh urine, no older than two hours, is examined (more often, daily urine), collected in a special container. The pH level is determined by the indicator method: bromothymol blue and methyl red. The accuracy of measurement by the indicator method allows you to get the result with an accuracy of 0.5 units. The use of an electronic laboratory ionomer (pH meter) allows you to get the result with an accuracy of 0.001 units.

Before pH analysis of urine, you should not eat foods that can change the physical properties of urine - beets and carrots. It is unacceptable to take diuretics that affect the chemical composition of urine.

The price of a laboratory urine test ranges from 350 rubles to 2500 rubles, depending on the set of tests, the selected laboratory, and its location. As of June 2016, 725 laboratories in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of the country accept urine for analysis in Russia. The above analysis price does not include laboratory discount programs.

"Is a compilation of materials obtained from authoritative sources, a list of which is available in the section"

The components of urine determine the composition of cells and affect the acid-base properties of urine. If the indicator is close to normal, then the work of the urinary system is working satisfactorily. If the alkaline reaction changes towards oxidation, then most likely there are metabolic shifts. The determination of ph in the analysis of urine alone cannot be the reason for the diagnosis, since this requires a comprehensive examination. But why is this happening and how to deal with it?

Acidic urine is a value from 4.6 to ph 5 or even less, this condition is called aciduria.

The reasons why the acid-base balance shifts downward may be the following:

Improper nutrition, that is, if a person consumes more protein foods during the day than it should be.
Hard physical work.
A living environment with a hot climate.
Work in a place where high temperatures prevail.
Dehydration.
Toxicosis, since urine during pregnancy is almost always characterized by a low acid-base balance, which is not a pathology.
Pathologies, which include gout, uric acid diathesis, leukemia, and so on.
A diet that involves fasting or not eating carbohydrates.
Frequent use of alcoholic beverages.
Taking some medications.
Diabetic ketoacidosis.
Renal pathology.
Kidney diseases that were triggered by E. coli or mycobacterium.

In general, the rate of urine reaction is within seven, there may be a slight deviation from this indicator. In a child who is just born, a slightly alkaline reaction of urine is considered the norm, but in premature babies, the indicators are lower.

As for the alkaline reaction of urine, it manifests itself in the form of an increase in pH, this condition is called alkaluria.

Alkalinization of urine can occur in the following cases:

If the patient eats only herbal products.
The presence of an infection in the genitourinary system.
Frequent and abundant drinking alkaline mineral water.
Profuse vomiting.
Specific stomach diseases that lead to increased acidity.
The presence of blood in the urine.
Pathology of the adrenal glands or thyroid gland.

In most cases, if urine alkalization occurs and the reason for this is an unbalanced diet, then after adjusting it, all indicators should return to normal.

In any case, the doctor can tell you the causes and treatment of this condition. What is alkaluria and how to define it is discussed below.

Alkaluria (alkaline urine) for a long time speaks of pathological processes. Thus, a person with the presence of certain diseases just needs to pass a general urine test, which should show the ph urine reaction.

When the acid-base balance deviates in a large direction and such a picture is present for a long time, then in most cases phosphate stones are formed. And if the indicator ranges from 5 to 6, then oxalate stones are formed.

High indicators of acid-base balance of urine during pregnancy practically do not occur, only if the pregnant woman eats the wrong foods. In most cases, this fact does not affect the child, but it is still necessary to control the processes occurring in the body.

An interesting fact is that if there is a slight alkaline reaction in the urine, then the immune system functions better. In this case, nutrients are well absorbed, the body perfectly removes toxins and toxins. And this means that such a state does not harm the person himself.

In order to normalize the acidity level you need:

If there is hypertension or edema is pronounced, then you can use the addition of a small amount of soda to drinking water.
Drink water with lemon or apple cider vinegar in the morning to relieve acidity.
It is recommended to use filtered water in the amount of two and a half liters.
The pH balance can also become normal if you stop consuming pastries, sugar, carbonated drinks, and the like.
Do not use artificial sweeteners that significantly increase the acidity.
Vegetables such as carrots, beets, cabbage, cucumbers, peppers and celery will be beneficial in this case. They contain antioxidants and minerals.
Meat, pork and lamb significantly increase the acidity. Thus, it will be more expedient to use poultry and fish.
Fermented milk products that are needed for digestion will be useful.

In addition, stress should be avoided by the patient as it builds up toxins and acid waste. Practicing meditation or yoga will greatly help you to calm down.

But before taking any action to correct the acid-base balance, you must first consult with a specialist.

In order to check the reaction of urine, you can use litmus paper. That is, a person should immerse in urine two such pieces of paper with reagents of two colors: blue and red.

These kind of indicators, which allow you to determine the acid-base balance, can be purchased at the pharmacy.This simple device can determine the reaction of urine at home.

On the box with such an indicator, there is a scale for comparison and the rate to which the indicators must correspond. Such research is also suitable for young children, since it does not in any way affect the state of health.

To carry out the research, you need:

Before the analysis, you should wash yourself, while the procedure is carried out from front to back.
Refrain from analyzing urine in women during menstruation.
Do not analyze after physical or psychological stress.
Of great importance is the fact that the first portion of urine must be drained into the toilet.
For the procedure to be carried out properly, only a sterile container is needed.

The norm by such a study cannot be shown reliably in the event that a person was previously nervous. The norm is considered to be an indicator close to 7.

An interesting fact is that the alkaline reaction of urine with toxicosis is usually not observed, since in this state the pH level decreases. As for the rest of the people, the norm can often turn out to be overestimated, which is not a pathology.

An excess or decrease in urine indicators, the reasons for which are described above, in any case indicates the presence of a pathological process that must be eliminated as soon as possible with the help of appropriate treatment.

pH - This term describes the acidity of urine. This indicator indicates the amount of hydrogen ions in the patient's urine. The pH indicator is very informative in terms of the general condition of the body, so doctors often prescribe a urine pH test.

Depending on the acid-base balance in the body of adults and children, metabolism occurs, namely: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, electrolytes, minerals and amino acids. The process of absorption, filtration and excretion of metabolic products of these substances is provided by the urinary system. It is the pH of the urine environment in adults and children that shows the picture of acid balance in the body. It depends on the functional characteristics of the urinary system at different ages, as well as on the nature and amount of food intake that regulate the acid-base level.

Diagnosis of acidity in the analysis of human biological fluids, and this is the juice of the digestive tract, urine, blood, etc., reveals a picture of the balance of metabolic processes and the norm of the physiological state of the body. Determination of acidity helps diagnose and treat many diseases. The alkaline and acidic properties of a liquid directly depend on hydrogen ions (H +) and (OH-), the concentration of which, according to equilibrium, is determined by the norm - 7 units. This is considered a neutral indicator of the acidity of a liquid. If the content of ions is less than 7 units, then the medium is considered acidic, and in the case of an increase in indicators of more than 7 units, leaching is noted in the analysis of the liquid.

The values of acidity can vary depending on the diet, temperature changes and on acid metabolism in the stomach and intestines. Normally, the pH of urine is 5-6 units, that is, the medium is considered acid-alkaline, and this indicates the presence of a balanced diet, physiological fermentation and the absence of pathological processes. Urine pH values may differ slightly between women, men, and children. Since men take more protein foods, their acidity may be slightly increased than in women.

For example, in children in the newborn period, urine pH is neutral, even closer to alkaline, and this is normal, since it is explained by increased milk intake. In children who were born prematurely, the urine environment is more acidic. Children who already eat bread, meat, vegetables and fruits, urine acidity reaches normal levels, about 5-6 units. An increase in the acidity of urine in children may indicate a violation of metabolic processes. In this case, you need to pay attention to the diet of children or the presence of pathological processes in the body. Minerals play an important role in the regulation of acidity: potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium. They help to neutralize acid and therefore their presence in the diet of children is simply necessary, since their deficiency forces the body to draw minerals from bones and other tissues. Such processes lead to fragility of the skeleton, tooth decay in children and adults.

If urine pH values shift to a lower or higher side from the norm, then this leads to the formation of stones:

Phosphate stones form when urine is alkaline above 7 pH units, which breaks down urates;
Urate stones form in acidic urine pH below 5 units, which breaks down phosphate stones;
Oxalates are noted in an acidic - alkaline environment of 5-6 units.

Thus, phosphate salts are not deposited in the acidic and neutral environment of urine, and uric acid precipitate is absent in alkaline pH.

If urolithiasis is suspected, urine pH is often taken into account to determine the nature of the calculi. The tendency to stone formation, according to statistics, is mainly attributed to women.

Factors affecting the pH level:

Pathologies of the urinary system (nephritis, cystitis, glomerulonephritis, urethritis, renal failure);
An increase or decrease in the acid level in the blood (acidosis, alkalosis);
Increase and decrease in the acidity of the gastrointestinal tract (violation of the production of enzymes, which are activated by gastric juice and lead to gastritis, gastroduodenitis and ulcerative erosive processes);
Imbalance in the quantity and quality of food and liquid consumed;
Violation of the absorption and filtration capacity of the renal tissue (decrease in the rate of filtration in the glomeruli and tubules of the kidneys);
Inhibition or absence of the process of receipt, transformation and excretion of metabolic products.

Negative processes in the body with an acidic environment of urine and blood

Viscosity of blood. At acidic pH, red blood cells become less elastic and mobile, which leads to the formation of blood clots.

Stone formation. It is in an acidic environment that there is no salt splitting activity and the formation of calculi from them.

Metabolic disorders ... The lack of active functionality of enzymes affects the breakdown and removal of waste substances, which leads to the accumulation of a large amount of toxins in the body. It was also noted that the acidic environment interferes with the absorption of useful minerals, elements and vitamins in the body.

Diseases of the urinary, cardiovascular and digestive systems.

Attachment and development of pathogens (bacteria) ... Many bacteria grow very well in the acidic environment of urine. To destroy them, a urine test for bacflora is prescribed, while paying attention to the pH of urine, since the selection of medicines depends on this. It is known that in an acidic environment, drugs of the nitrofuran series, as well as tetracycline, are more effective, and in an alkaline environment, bacteria become sensitive to penicillins, erythromycin, gentamicin and kanamycin.

For the human body, a slightly alkaline pH is considered the normal environment of urine. Of course, for each organism, acidity indicators are individual, and what is physiology for one, for another can turn into a negative process for health.

In any case, you need to pay attention to this and try to maintain the acid-base balance in your body, both for children and adults. For this, it is necessary to monitor nutrition, physical activity and undergo preventive examinations with blood and urine tests.