Are your Symptoms Caused Structural or Visceral Dysfunction?
Howard F. Loomis
Jr. DC
This article is the fourth in a series that attempts to explain in simple terms how stress causes energy deficiency and results in symptoms in our patients. Structural stress and symptoms are easier to understand because the cause is often an acute injury resulting in pain or an occupational stress resulting in gradual loss of range of joint motion and pain or soreness on movement.
Visceral organ problems, though, are often hidden causes of structural symptoms. These relationships are sometimes the most difficult to recognize and can result in frustration for both the doctor and the patient.
The easiest way to explain visceral deviations from normal function is to know that all organs have very basic functions for maintaining normal levels in our extracellular fluids (blood) that deliver nutrients to the organs and remove the waste produced when they break down the nutrients to produce energy.
One of the most common visceral stressors is the acid-alkaline balance. Do you or your patients drink alkaline water or so-called "smart water"? The theory goes that if you alkalize your body, you will stay healthy because people who are too acidic become sick more easily. First, that claim is only true about 50% of the time. Second, does your patient even know if they are too acidic or alkaline? Generally, the answer is no, they don't.
Our blood is maintained in an alkaline state. The question should be is the stress in patients' lives, making them more alkaline or more acidic? If their stress is pushing them to becoming more alkaline, then drinking alkaline water will increase their stress level and cause some real problems. If their stress is pushing them toward acidity (you die if your blood becomes acidic), then alkaline water will help at first, but then push them toward increased alkalinity and continually increase stress. The Body's Automatic System for Maintaining Acid-Alkaline Balance
Maintaining balance between acidity and alkalinity in the body is essential for maintaining homeostasis in extracellular fluids. Every cell in the body has an automatic buffering system that it can run whenever it is needed. It manages both excess acid and excess alkaline imbalances, unless the system becomes exhausted by continuous stress in either direction. The cells use protein for this purpose. Proteins are composed of amino acids, which can buffer both excess acidity and alkalinity.
Hemoglobin, a plasma protein in the blood, makes an excellent buffer by bindingto small amounts of acids in the blood before they can accumulate and change the pH of the blood.
Does Your Patient Have Digestive, Respiratory, or Urinary Symptoms?
Maintaining the pH level in the blood is so critical that, in addition to every cell helping to control balance, it has three organ systems devoted to its maintenance. The following organs will present symptoms when normalcy cannot be maintained:
1. Digestive system-stomach, biliary system, pancreas, and small intestine.
2. Respiratory system - lungs and sinuses.
3. Urinary system - kidneys and urinary bladder.
The Digestive System and Acid-Alkaline Balance
The stomach needs acid taken from the blood to be used in digesting protein. When patients are stressed in an alkaline direction, they cannot adequately initiate protein digestion in the stomach. They will also develop biliary problems because stomach acid stimulates the flow of bile.
This happens when the patient is regularly ingesting alkaline water or blocking stomach acid production with antacids and pharmaceutical stomach acid blockers.
The duodenum requires alkalinity to betaken out of the blood and to be present when the pancreas secretes its digestive enzymes. They require the alkalinity to be present to activate the enzymes to digest protein, lipids, and starches.
Patients who have problems in this area have imbibed in excessive simple sugars, sweets, and/or alcohol. Respiratory System and Acid-Alkaline Balance
The respiratory tract can adjust the blood pH upward in minutes by exhaling C02 (acid) from the body. Energy production in the cells produces carbon dioxide as a waste product, which must be exhaled to make room for oxygen.
Patients who suffer from respiratory conditions, such as COPD, accumulate carbon dioxide and are stressed toward acidity. Asthma is somewhat different. Those patients are only stressed toward acidity when they are in an asthmatic attack. When they are not, they tend to be alkaline. In other words, sweets and alcohol push them toward acidity.
Patients who are stressed in an alkaline direction are losing carbon dioxide (acid) and develop symptoms of anxiety, as is seen in cases of hyperventilation.
The Urinary System and Acid-Alkaline Balance
The kidneys play a major role in maintaining an acid-alkaline balance. They control phosphate (phosphorus) levels in the blood. They can eliminate phosphorus in an acid form or in an alkaline form, thus maintaining normal levels of acidity and alkalinity in the body.
Conclusion
Digestive, respiratory, and urinary problems are commonly associated with various structural problems, involving back pain, headaches, and shoulder problems. The secret is to find the actual cause; is it structural, visceral, or emotional, which often causes changes in diet? All three can and do affect acid-base balance.
HowardF. Loomis, Jr., DC, has an extensive background in enzymes and enzyme supplements. He is the founder and president of the Food Enzyme Institute. His extensive knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, and enzymology has made him a sought-after speaker and a prolific writer.
If you have questions, you can reach The Food Enzyme Institute at 800-662-2630 or go online to www. foodenzymeinstitute. com
