Blood has a normal pH range between 7.3 pH and 7.45 pH. Technically blood should always be alkaline, anything above neutral in the pH scale (7 pH) is considered alkaline in an absolute sense. The terms acid and alkaline can also be used to describe a relative pH condition. A pH of 7.3 pH is alkaline (in the absolute sense of the word), but relative to 7.45 pH, 7.3 pH is more acid.
When something is referred to as being acid when it is actually alkaline (in the absolute sense of the word) it only means that it is comparatively more acid relative to another pH. For example, lets say that the normal pH of a cell is 7.4 pH. If the cell pH drops to a pH of 7.3 pH, the cellular condition could be referred to as being acidic, since relative to its normal operating pH the pH is lower than normal, or more on the acid side. Even though in the absolute sense, 7.3 pH would be considered slightly alkaline.
Alkaline Venous Blood
Dr. Cheney reports that the venous blood, the blood that has already
been out to the tissue and is now returning back to the lungs, is
alkaline. He has reported seeing venous blood pH levels in the range of
7.5 pH.
Venous blood is the arterial blood (oxygenated blood coming from the heart) that has been through the tissue and delivered oxygen to the cells and has picked up the carbon dioxide (CO2) and other wasteproducts from the cell for removal from the body via the kidneys or lungs. It would be expected to see venous blood pH closer to the low range point of 7.3 pH, more on the acid side of the normal blood pH range. The explanation Dr. Cheney gives is that the kidneys, in trying to compensate for an acidic condition at the cell level is absorbing bicarbonate, thereby raising the pH of the venous blood.
Shallow breathing and Periodic Nocturnal Breathing
What does shallow breathing and periodic nocturnal breathing have to
do with the blood? Near the aorta and carotid arteries are special
chemical receptors that detect the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and
hydrogen (H+) in the blood. Based
on the levels of these gases in the blood, primarily the CO2, the
brain will adjust the rate and depth of respiration in the lungs as the
condition requires.
If less oxygen is being delivered to the cell, the cell will output less CO2. The chemical sensors detect that CO2 levels are low in the blood and sends this information to the brain. The brain responds to this information and the autonomic nervous system slows down the rate and depth of breathing. The brain is trying to bring the CO2 levels in the blood back up to the correct range.
The state of the blood being more alkaline also suggests that the CO2 levels may be low. The shallow breathing is then the correct response for the stimulus being received.
Some people with fibromyalgia I've spoken with have said that at times they have noticed that they occasionally stop breathing for moments for unknown reasons. This may be the reason for the nocturnal periodic breathing, where the breathing momentarily halts during sleep.
A few thoughts on breathing
The respiratory system, more specifically breathing, is the only
system controlled by the
autonomic nervous system that we may exercise any conscious control.
Some people that have found themselves breathing more shallow have
attempted to correct the shallow breathing by consciously breathing
deeper. It is natural for us to breathe abdominally, that is from the
diaphragm. Watch a baby breathe while sleeping and you will see that
this is the type of breathing that the baby does naturally.
Additional benefits of breathing abdominally is that this type of breathing assists in the circulation of the lymph through the body. It may also aid in preventing respiratory problems since the lungs are moving more. And, having more air flowing through them it does not allow air to stagnate in the lungs. Breathing from the diaphragm also has a more relaxing effect on the body. The inverse is also true of shallow breathing, shallow breathing may trigger a more excited state in the body.
Attempts to consciously breathe deeper will probably not have much benefit since the blood is not in the ideal condition to accept the additional oxygen. Remember, the brain is trying to build up CO2 levels. Taking a deep breath may be pulling oxygen into the lungs but when you exhale, that same oxygen in the air will likely be expelled, unabsorbed by the blood.
Do not worry about your breathing pattern if it is shallow, it will correct itself as the body is brought back into balance. If you want to change the response (shallow breathing) then change the stimulus (low CO2). When blood CO2 levels return to normal, breathing patterns will return to normal. As the body systems regain balance, breathing will naturally return to a more abdominal breathing pattern. At least that is the observation that I have found in the people that have followed the program.
Related Links |
| Blood Gases (very interesting information) |