WHAT CAN CAUSE INCREASES IN AMMONIA LEVELS?
Unbalanced ammonia levels can cause symptoms that affect your day to day life and could lead to hyperammonaemia. Even a small increase in the ammonia levels in your body can make you feel unwell and cause symptoms.
INFECTIONS
Any type of infection (such as cold, flu and coronavirus) can significantly affect your ammonia levels. You can reduce your chance of infection by washing your hands frequently with soap or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer and by avoiding contact with anyone who may be sick. You should also make sure that you get your seasonal flu vaccine every year.
STRESS
Major life events (such as surgery, accidents, school pressure or pregnancy) could also increase your ammonia levels. If you are going through any major life events which may be stressful it is important to talk to your doctor about this, as this could affect your ammonia levels.
PROTEIN
Eating too much protein will increase your ammonia levels, so it’s very important to stick to a low-protein diet if you have been told you need to follow this. If you are struggling to stick to your low protein diet, you should speak to your doctor.
EXERCISE AND FASTING
Exercising too much or fasting can make your ammonia levels increase to dangerous levels, so it’s important to take it easy and not push yourself too hard. Before fasting, or starting a new physical activity, you should always talk to your doctor.
