Low stomach acidity is a serious problem that prevents many people from living a full life. In fact, it is a fairly common condition and is associated with other diseases such as stomach cancer, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms and dangers of the condition
If you experience symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, gas, bloating, nausea after eating, then it is very likely that you have problems with stomach acidity.
People who have been diagnosed with illnesses gastrointestinal tract, have a higher risk of problems with stomach acidity. If you've been following a healthy diet, have changed your lifestyle, but still aren't seeing the results you want, the problem may be low stomach acid.
Why low acidity is undesirable
Normal levels of gastric acidity are necessary for adequate absorption of many nutrients, including minerals (iron, copper, zinc and calcium), vitamin B12, folic acid and proteins.
Stomach acid is also an important part of the immune system. The acid barrier of the stomach, in normal health, easily and quickly kills bacteria that enter the body. It also prevents the proliferation of bacteria in the intestines, their migration and colonization in the stomach.
Without the appropriate level of gastric acidity, our body's defense system is completely disrupted. To make matters worse, you can eat healthy and only eat organic foods, but still suffer from malnutrition because the body cannot absorb nutrients. Today we will talk about what are the main signs of low stomach acidity.
Do you feel bad when you eat meat?
This symptom is more common in women than in men. So what's going on? This problem has two parts. Firstly, the physiological problem of low acidity. Second, a belief system that is created to cope with the symptoms of a physiological problem.
Here's a typical scenario: a girl takes care of her health. For as long as she can remember, she cannot eat red meat, or any meat in large quantities. When this is brought up, she replies that she simply doesn't like meat and talks about how eating it makes her feel.
Her feelings are completely justified. She gets really sick and feels lethargic and nauseous when she eats a lot of meat. And the reason is that her body is not able to digest it. She needs more stomach acid to break down protein structures. And without it, red, white or any other type of meat will make her feel worse than when she eats other foods that contain less protein.
If you also think that you don't like meat because it makes you feel bad, then you need to get your stomach acid levels tested.
You experience acid reflux after eating
It may seem counterintuitive to you that acid reflux occurs not from too much acid, but from too little acid, but it's true.
Modern media and pharmaceutical advertising campaigns have led us to believe that acid reflux is caused by high levels of acidity. In fact, this is an attempt to make money from your ignorance. In 2010 alone, more than 110 million prescriptions were written for drugs that suppress acid reflux. Could Mother Nature create a situation where one in three people's bodies produce too much acid to maintain health? Probably not. 
It is true that the pain you are experiencing is due to the acid coming into contact with unprotected areas of your esophagus or stomach. But what you didn't know before is that our body is supposed to have reflux after eating.
In a normal healthy person, at every meal, gastric juice is produced, which rises into the upper part of the stomach and esophagus. The problem occurs when this normal activity begins to cause pain.
The causes of pain tend to be multifaceted, but here is an example of a typical reason why it occurs.
First, humans have a low acidity level, so food sits in the stomach and, instead of being broken down by enzymes and acid, is digested by bacteria and yeast (which produce gas when they consume food). This gas increases the pressure in your stomach, or intra-abdominal pressure. If the pressure increases enough, it opens a valve at the top of the stomach so acid can continually flow into the esophagus. 
This can be quite painful on its own, but over time the protection in the esophagus can wear down and the person becomes hypersensitive to any reflux. Plus, it can even lead to cancer
You experience bloating and belching after eating
Why do these signs indicate low acidity of gastric juice? Most likely, the food you eat begins to ferment with the help of bacteria and yeast, and the byproduct of this process, as already mentioned, is gases. If your acidity levels are low enough, these symptoms will appear almost immediately. If the symptoms do not go away even after several hours, this indicates that the food is still in the stomach, although it should be in the small intestine. 
Additionally, bloating indicates that there is excess bacteria in the stomach and upper small intestine. And a low level of acidity only contributes to this process. The rate of digestion may also slow down, giving bacteria more access to food.
Human gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid. It is necessary for digesting solid food and neutralizing bacteria that enter the body with food. But sometimes too much acid begins to be produced, and it cannot all be neutralized during the digestion process. Then it corrodes the walls of the stomach and causes various digestive disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Many people face this problem, so the question of how to reduce stomach acidity is very relevant. Some people live with this problem for years, occasionally taking medications. But this can lead to serious stomach damage. Therefore, you need to be able to recognize the onset of the disease in time.
Symptoms of high acidity
- Feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
- Heartburn and sour belching.
- Abdominal pain, which can occur immediately after eating or on an empty stomach.
- Frequent constipation.
- Nausea and indigestion.
If these symptoms increase after eating sour and bitter foods, pickled, spicy and fried foods, then you need to think about how to reduce stomach acidity. The most important thing for this is not taking medications, but changing your eating habits and lifestyle.
What Causes High Stomach Acidity?
Most often, this problem occurs in people who are addicted to fatty and fried foods, spicy and sour foods. Alcohol, coffee and chocolate, tea and cola, as well as excess consumption of sugar, confectionery and citrus fruits lead to increased acidity. Overeating, especially at night, also causes the release of hydrochloric acid. This problem affects people who are accustomed to snacking, irregular meals and fast food. Often such symptoms occur in people exposed to stress and constant worry.
How to reduce stomach acidity
If you are one of those people with such eating habits or notice symptoms of hyperacidity, you need to see a doctor and get tested. Based on its results, you will be diagnosed and treated. Various medications are used to reduce the production of hydrochloric acid.
You can reduce the acidity of the stomach by taking the drugs Maalox, Almagel or Gastal. The drugs “Zantac” or “Vicalin” are also used for this. You can alleviate your condition by taking medications that regulate digestion. Most of them are sold without a doctor's prescription, for example, Mezim, Festal or Pancreatin tablets. But you can completely get rid of high acidity only through diet.
How to eat healthy
To avoid problems caused by excessive release of hydrochloric acid and its effect on the walls of the stomach, you need to follow some rules in your diet:
- you need to eat fractionally, preferably little by little and 5-6 times a day, so that the stomach does not remain empty;
— the temperature of the food should be close to the temperature of the human body; it is undesirable to eat too cold or hot dishes;
- it is necessary to abandon low-fat diets, which lead to gastritis;
— it’s better to steam or boil food, and the food should be finely chopped, you can even puree it;
— food should be chewed thoroughly and try not to overeat;
Diet for high acidity
A person suffering from excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid needs to monitor what food he eats. Only with the help of diet can you easily reduce stomach acidity. Products must be fresh, without added preservatives or seasonings. The basis of nutrition should be porridge and liquid mucous soups, which envelop the gastric mucosa and protect it. It is best to cook rice, oatmeal or semolina. Milk is beneficial as it reduces acidity well. You can also eat cheese, low-fat cottage cheese and yogurt.
Include more boiled or stewed vegetables, potatoes are best, cauliflower and carrots. You shouldn’t give up fruit either, just choose non-acidic ones. It’s good to make puree, mousse or jelly from them. You need to choose lean meat, preferably chicken, veal or rabbit. It needs to be boiled, stewed or baked, for example, to cook meatballs or steam cutlets.
It is recommended to eat the bread slightly dried. You can eat soft-boiled eggs or scrambled eggs, drink weak tea or still mineral water. This diet will help you reduce stomach acidity. Foods that lead to increased production of hydrochloric acid should be excluded from your diet, but otherwise, in the absence of symptoms of the disease, you can eat more variedly.
What is prohibited to eat
To prevent increased acidity from leading to gastritis, you need to completely avoid:
- from rich, rich broths, especially mushroom and pork;
- coffee, alcohol and carbonated drinks;
— spicy and smoked products, seasonings and marinades;
- fried food;
- very acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes or sorrel.
Even at a time when there is no exacerbation, you need to limit the consumption of vegetables containing a lot of fiber, such as radishes or cabbage. It is not advisable to eat vegetables raw, especially onions and garlic. You need to reduce the amount of salt in your diet, eat less brown bread and baked goods, ice cream and canned food. But even if all these rules are followed, the disease can sometimes worsen. Medicine is not always at hand, but you can reduce the acidity of the stomach with folk remedies. Herbal decoctions, tinctures, vegetable juices, sea buckthorn, ginger and cinnamon will come to your aid.
How to reduce stomach acidity quickly
The most common way to do this is to drink a glass of water with a teaspoon of soda dissolved in it. This solution quickly neutralizes the acid. An excellent remedy is chalk powder or white clay. You need to mix it in water and drink this suspension twice a day before meals. You can also eat chalk powder this way. Honey water helps reduce acidity. Dissolve a spoonful of honey in a glass of warm water and drink.
Common foods will also come to your aid: carrots and potatoes. The juice from these vegetables is very good for the stomach. But if carrot can be taken without restrictions, then potato is drunk a quarter glass 3-4 times a day. Include pumpkin and red beets in any form in your diet more often. It is best to boil or bake them.
Very effective means against increased stomach acidity is sea buckthorn. It’s good to make a decoction of berries and drink it with honey; sea buckthorn oil. Don't forget about mineral water. But to reduce acidity, you need to drink alkaline water without gas before meals.
Herbal medicine to help the patient
Instead of regular tea, it is recommended to drink mint or chamomile decoctions. From time to time it is necessary to carry out courses of treatment with various herbs that help reduce acidity. The most effective for this, in addition to chamomile, are nettle and yarrow. You can brew them separately or use them in a mixture with other plants. What fees are recommended to reduce acidity:
- mix cinquefoil erecta, calendula and yarrow;
- two parts chamomile, one part cumin seeds and oregano herb;
- mix two parts of linden flowers with one part of flax seeds and fennel fruits;
- mix marshmallow root, valerian, chamomile flowers, immortelle and St. John's wort in equal parts.
But you should not get too carried away with such treatment, especially with drugs that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid. If there is not enough of it, then in addition to poisoning and digestive disorders, gastritis with low stomach acidity may appear. The symptoms of this disease are also unpleasant, and they cannot be immediately identified, mistaking heartburn, diarrhea and abdominal pain for manifestations of high acidity. Therefore, the most important thing is diet. But, besides this, you need to know how to reduce high stomach acidity in order to prevent complications.
Many people have heard the expression “low stomach acidity,” but only a few know what such a concept means. Is this condition dangerous to health or is it within normal limits? How to solve the problem? What pills are needed? Let's figure it out together.
A disturbance in the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach requires immediate treatment.
What is acidity?
The breakdown of food into microelements and nutrients is the main purpose of gastric juice. Hydrochloric acid is the main component of gastric juice. It ensures thorough digestion of food, and its amount affects the level of acidity. A healthy digestive organ is capable of producing up to 2 liters of the saturated component of digestive juice.
There are many glands on the surface of the stomach, including fundic glands. They are responsible for increasing the secretion of hydrochloric acid. A clear number of glands is necessary for a normal level of secretion. Thanks to the alkaline components, it is neutralized before the stomach contents enter the small intestine. The division of the stomach into two parts promotes two processes:
- in the first (bottom and body of the stomach) acid is formed;
- in the second (antrum) it is neutralized.
Any disruption of the process that occurs in the stomach affects digestion. Fundic cells secrete at precise intervals, with constant intensity. Reduced acidity is the result of the death of glands; an increase in quantity means increased acidity. The neutralization process also contributes to the normalization of the level of the main component of gastric juice.
In case of complete loss of parietal cells, a critical situation occurs, leading to the development of irreversible processes. The pH value is a unit of measurement of stomach acidity. The normal acidity level in an empty stomach, according to medical research, is between 1.5 and 2.0 pH.
Reasons
Problems in the functioning of the fundic glands arise against the background of various diseases:
- stomach cancer;
- gastritis;
- gastroduodenitis.
During diseases, a change occurs in the functioning of the glands; in case of complications, complete atrophy occurs. There are rarely situations when no visible causes are identified that disrupt digestion.
A normal concentration level guarantees a protective function in the body, preventing the penetration of harmful microorganisms into the digestive tract. Factors that reduce concentration provoke the development of inflammation. Low acidity is a significant threat to human health.
Symptoms and signs
Low acidity contributes to indigestion Reduced acidity causes digestive problems. Reasons that reduce enzyme activity stimulate the fermentation process in the intestines. The patient is increasingly experiencing stomach pain and the following signs appear that impair the functioning of the digestive tract:
- smell of rot;
- burping rotten egg;
- problems with stool (diarrhea, constipation);
- rumbling, bloating, flatulence accompany pain;
- undigested food particles in stool;
- loss of appetite;
- weakness;
- anemia;
- dry skin and hair.
It happens that after eating, additional symptoms of low stomach acidity occur:
- heartburn;
- heaviness in the stomach;
- it hurts, the stomach is bursting;
- intestines hurt.
Heartburn occurs when there is no function of the parietal cells of the stomach or disruption of the sphincter. The situations described above lead to the formation of a lump of food, which presses on the mucous membrane of the organ, causing heartburn. Pain and weakness lead to loss of appetite. It can be difficult to force yourself to eat when every meal brings pain, discomfort and inconvenience.
The appetite has disappeared, several similar signs have appeared, accompanied by pain, you should immediately seek advice from a gastroenterologist. Only after a thorough examination will the necessary course of therapy be prescribed.
Diagnosis of low stomach acidity
In medicine, there are several methods for determining the concentration of hydrochloric acid:
Treatment options
The insidiousness of the complication lies in its calm course. A number of signs without diagnostic confirmation cannot confirm the presence of a reduced concentration of enzymes, and the loss of time is not to the benefit of the patient. In modern medicine, an integrated approach is widely used, including treatment with both tablets and herbs.
Drugs
There are not many medications used in the treatment of low acidity, but it is necessary to start drug therapy immediately. Under no circumstances should you select medications on your own; the prescription should be made by a specialist. The doctor approaches each case individually, taking into account the examination results and the absence of complications.
The main task is to choose the right drugs that reduce the concentration level and restore the required amount of enzymes for the proper digestion process. Treatment of low stomach acidity is carried out with three types of medications:
- Preparations containing hydrochloric acid. The following medications are used under the close supervision of the attending physician (Acidin-pepsin, Panzinorm, Pepsidil).
- Tablets that act on the stomach glands, stimulating the production of the main component of gastric juice (Ranitidine, Rennie, Denol, etc.). Preference is given to tablets and coated capsules to prevent a destructive effect on the mucous membrane.
- Based on the test results, the doctor uses drugs - antacids, which neutralize the most important component of gastric juice (Almagel). The neutralizing effect of "Almagel" for a long time ensures an increase in the main component of gastric juice to an optimal level. In addition, the anesthesin included in Almagel relieves pain. Impaired kidney function may be a contraindication to the use of Almagel.
A positive result of therapy is impossible without a course vitamin preparations, which stimulate the gastric mucosa.
Recipes for folk remedies
Treatment with folk remedies is an effective method that requires discipline. You can increase the acidity of the stomach at home by using herbal decoctions with peppermint, calamus, and wormwood. The drugs effectively increase the production of gastric juice:
- Calamus, rose hips, dill. All components are mixed in equal parts. 2 tablespoons of the mixture are poured into 400 ml of boiling water and infused in a dark place. It is convenient to prepare the tincture in the evening and leave it to settle overnight. Take 70 ml of infused herbs 4-5 times a day, 30 minutes after meals. Treatment lasts 1-2 months.
- Honey is an excellent natural acid regulator. 0.5 teaspoon of honey, diluted in a glass one-third filled with water, is taken half an hour before meals.
- Olive oil on an empty stomach half an hour before breakfast. You need to start with a third of a teaspoon, gradually increase to 1 tablespoon.
- The following herbal infusions can be taken as decoctions: motherwort, yarrow, straw-colored flowers, dandelion root; blueberries, rose hips, lingonberries, caraway seeds, rowan; flax, thyme, chamomile, tansy, coriander.
It is necessary to take the decoction half an hour before meals, 1/3 of a glass 4 to 5 times a day.
It is important to know that herbs are not only a medicine that relieves pain and inflammation, they can become poison if used incorrectly. You cannot begin to treat the causes that reduce the production of “enzyme” at home using folk remedies without consulting a specialist.
Home > What is heartburn > Facts about heartburn
The appearance of heartburn depends not only on external factors: overeating, smoking, consumption of acidic foods, coffee and carbonated drinks. The occurrence of this painful symptom can also be influenced by internal changes, for example, the acidity of gastric juice. It depends on the type of disease, hereditary predisposition to one disease or another. At what acidity does heartburn occur? We now have to find out.
Methods for determining acidity
Acidity or alkalinity is important for many chemical processes in nature and in our body. The efficiency of a particular chemical reaction directly depends on the surrounding pH of the environment.
What is acidity
What are acidity and alkalinity? It is the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution that makes it either acidic, neutral, or alkaline. This hydrogen indicator is usually denoted pH (lat. pondus hydrogenii - the strength of hydrogen), with a numerical value from 0 to 14.
Values that are less than 7 (pH7) usually indicate an alkaline environment, and the higher this indicator, the more alkaline the environment is.
pH=7 is neutral. Pure water has this pH.
pH-metry
IN recent years a method such as pH-metry or the study of the acidity of gastric contents is used very rarely. It is considered uninformative. And it is prescribed only in controversial situations when treatment does not bring the desired result for a long time. The essence of the study is the introduction of thin tubes - pH probes - through the mouth or nose into the stomach cavity to a certain level. The probe contains measuring electrodes that make it possible to study:
- acid levels in several parts of the digestive system at once;
- This method makes it possible to determine whether heartburn will appear with low stomach acidity.
Thanks to more accurate mechanisms, FGDS (fibrogastroduodenoscopy) has pushed probing into the background.
Daily pH monitoring
This type of research, such as daily pH monitoring, has become more widespread. This diagnosis has a number of advantages.
- It is carried out on an outpatient basis.
- The total number of episodes of pH decrease in the esophagus and stomach and their duration are calculated.
- It helps to clarify what acidity is observed during heartburn and the periods of burning pain, to which the body reacts.
- During the pH measurement process, an alkaline test is performed. Injected through a probe baking soda, dissolved in water. In the process, the indicators change from acidic (the norm in the antrum is not lower than 2) to alkaline. The period when they are restored back is called an alkaline test. For a healthy person, this time is approximately 17–20 minutes.
Diseases with altered acidity
Almost any disease of the upper digestive system is accompanied by a change in pH levels. How do you understand heartburn - is it increased or decreased stomach acidity?
Most often, a burning sensation behind the sternum occurs due to the influence of pathological backflow of food or acid from the stomach into the esophagus. With a weak lower esophageal sphincter (the round muscle between the stomach and esophagus), such reflux occurs often. Normal esophageal acidity levels are from 6 to 7 pH. If hydrochloric acid enters the lumen, the pH level decreases, which means the acidity of the esophagus increases and discomfort occurs. Therefore, heartburn occurs when the stomach acidity is high. This symptom is most often observed:
- with GERD;
- hyperacid gastritis;
- stomach ulcer;
- duodenal ulcer.
The minimum acidity at which the esophagus will function normally is 6. Below this level, the functioning of the mucous membrane is disrupted. Over time, areas of mucosal defects or erosion may develop. If hypoacid gastritis has developed (pH level varies between 4–6), whether burning pain will appear depends on the specific case.
Does heartburn occur with low acidity? Quite a real situation. This can happen when the parietal cells of the stomach (those that produce hydrochloric acid) are atrophied or their function is significantly reduced. One of the main functions of gastric juice is bactericidal. When the acidity level is reduced, it is not performed. Food stagnation occurs in the body, gastric motility decreases sharply. If the function of the sphincter is impaired, the food bolus acts on the esophageal mucosa, and heartburn may occur.
Another key point is neutral pH. In this case, the parietal cells practically stop producing hydrochloric acid, and food disinfection does not occur. Food accumulates in digestive system, gradually starting to wander. With such zero acidity, heartburn will not be felt; the person will be bothered by belching, constipation, and pain in the pit of the stomach.
Treatment of diseases with different acidity
The main treatment for hyperacid gastritis (with high stomach acidity) is to eliminate the causes that caused this condition. Therapy is aimed at reducing the level of acidity in the stomach. For this purpose the following are appointed:
- proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor blockers;
- long-term antacids after meals;
- in case of violation of the evacuation function of the stomach - prokinetics.
Not least important in the treatment of heartburn with high acidity is diet, organization of work and rest.
It is more difficult to choose a treatment with a pH closer to 6; this level in therapy is called hypoacid. It is not advisable to prescribe drugs that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid here. The main treatment for heartburn with low acidity is lifestyle correction and elimination of factors that provoke burning. Additionally, medications are prescribed that increase the level of hydrochloric acid production.
The appearance of heartburn is primarily influenced not by altered pH levels, but by the work of the esophageal muscles; acidity is only an additional factor. Do not be afraid if you have not had your stomach acid level tested. Based on the changed mucosa, a competent doctor will always determine what type of disease it is. The main thing is to contact the right specialist in time.
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Does heartburn occur with low and high stomach acidity?
Heartburn occurs with both high and low acidity. More often with increased In this case, a burning sensation occurs, often - belching with a sour taste, sore throat, radiating to the sternum area. Treatment of heartburn should begin with identifying the causes that cause this condition. Therefore, self-treatment at home is not recommended. First of all, you need to undergo an examination and, based on the data obtained, prescribe treatment. It is important to stick to your diet and know which foods can trigger heartburn.
The mechanism of heartburn development
The stomach produces gastric juice containing hydrochloric acid. This substance is necessary to neutralize pathogenic microorganisms that enter the stomach with food. But if the mucous membrane of the organ is protected from its aggressive effects, then the walls of the esophagus are not.
There is a valve between the stomach and esophagus. After a portion of food enters the stomach, it closes and controls so that some of the gastric juice does not enter the esophagus. Under the influence of various factors - ulcers, decreased valve tone, overeating, pregnancy, the valve does not perform its function. In this case, hydrochloric acid may be refluxed into the esophagus. This can cause burning and other unpleasant symptoms.
What happens at elevated pH
Hyperacidity can occur when there is excessive production of stomach juice and acid. If timely treatment is not carried out, increased acidity becomes a trigger for the development of multiple pathologies, including cancer. Therefore, treatment must be carried out immediately.
What symptoms indicate increased pH:
Read also:
- honey for heartburn with high acidity
- heartburn;
- burning in the esophagus;
- there is belching with bitterness;
- paroxysmal pain in the stomach;
- aching pain in the right side.
Foods that cause heartburn at elevated pH:
- alcoholic drinks (cause intense production of gastric juice, increase the sensitivity of the esophageal mucosa);
- lemons, oranges, tangerines (contain a high percentage of acidity, causing an increase in pH levels);
- fatty, smoked, fried, spicy and salty foods;
- coffee;
- rye bread;
- tomatoes, legumes, cabbage.
To prevent heartburn from bothering you, you should include in your diet:
- non-sour apples (severe heartburn can occur from sour apples);
- bananas, pears;
- low-fat cream, low-fat non-sour cottage cheese;
- boiled stewed vegetables;
- porridge.
What happens when pH decreases
With low acidity, heartburn occurs extremely rarely, but nevertheless this phenomenon can occur. Heartburn is caused by an insufficient amount of enzymes responsible for breaking down food during digestion. With a low pH, not only heartburn occurs, which is accompanied by a burning sensation, but also nausea and vomiting.
Signs of low pH
As mentioned above, gastric juice contains acid, which is necessary to neutralize various harmful microelements, toxins, and bacteria. When the acidity level decreases, the neutralization process is disrupted. Malicious organisms begin to multiply intensively. An inflammatory process occurs in the gastric mucosa.
What signs indicate a low stomach pH:
- belching (accompanied by a rotten egg or putrid odor);
- In some cases there may be a metallic taste in the mouth;
- heaviness and feeling of fullness in the abdomen;
- dull pain in the stomach;
- gas formation, accompanied by rumbling stomach.
The following products are allowed for low acidity:
- dried white bread (sometimes you can try rye bread);
- porridge;
- low-fat meat and fish products;
- dairy products (fat content no more than one), including some butter;
- sometimes - kvass, coffee, kefir, kumiss;
- citrus;
- sour apples – infrequently;
- raspberries, grapes, apricots, peaches, cherries, strawberries;
- weak broths.
Drugs that normalize acidity levels:
- Almagel;
- Maalox;
- Rutacid;
- Talcid;
- Rennie;
- Vikair;
- Vikalin;
- Omeprazole;
- Esomeprazole;
- Pantoprazole;
- Gaviscon;
- Laminal.
It is impossible to determine the acidity level of gastric juice on your own. To do this, you need to undergo examination in a hospital. Important to install the real reason which may cause heartburn. Only on the basis of these data should you begin treatment and adhere to a diet. People with high and low acidity have different diets. If the level is elevated, you should consume foods that help reduce acidity. At a reduced level, on the contrary, products that increase the production of hydrochloric acid. Therefore, self-treatment is at a minimum not acceptable. What method of therapy the doctor will prescribe, what diet is prescribed, depends directly on the type of pathology.
Many people try to fight heartburn at home. But relieving symptoms is not treating the cause!
gastrolekar.ru
Heartburn with low acidity
Presumably large number who has heard of such an expression as low stomach acidity? But not everyone knows why this condition is dangerous and how to get rid of it correctly, quickly and for a long time. Let's chat about the main symptoms and indicators accompanying this disease, remedies and medicines, used for treatment. How to find out the disease? Are diet and folk remedies effective for saving from this disease? Let's find answers to these and other questions that interest many and let's sort them out.
What is stomach acidity?
Nutrition is a responsible process that supplies the vital functions of the human body. The key role in this move is played by the stomach, whose functions are as follows:
- accumulation of food and its partial processing;
- its next movement is into the intestines, where it is absorbed.
The stomach produces juice, the main purpose of which is to digest the food consumed. This occurs through hydrochloric acid, which is part of the juice. Stomach acidity depends on the amount of acid. This acid is produced by the fundic glands and the more of these glands, the higher the acidity level will be. So, stomach acidity is an indicator of the concentration of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice.
Acidity performs the following important functions in the human body:
- bactericidal in gastric juice;
- process of protein denaturation;
- stimulation of the pancreatic process;
- activation of pepsinogens and their conversion into pepsins;
- creating an acidic environment for the normal functioning of enzymes;
- active participation in normal food processing and subsequent movement of food into the intestines.
For the correct and normal production of hydrochloric acid, vitamins A, B1, C, D are needed.
Circumstances of origin of the disease
It is clear that low acidity levels do not appear without obvious circumstances. The most popular circumstances for the development of this condition:
All of the above conditions in most cases occur either with disturbances in the proper functionality of the glands that produce gastric juice, or in very severe cases - with a complete loss of performance. Regardless of the circumstances that provoked the appearance of this disease, low acidity poses significant threats to the patient’s health. If the acidity of the stomach is normal, then it does not allow various negative microflora to enter the intestines, thereby providing a protective function.
In addition, a healthy level of acidity has excellent disinfecting, antiviral and bactericidal functions. But a decrease in stomach acidity can cause various intestinal infections. All this leads to the formation of important inflammatory pathologies. With reduced acidity, the body’s absorption of many important vitamins and minerals for the body’s performance deteriorates.
This disease is seen much more often in older people.
Characteristic symptoms and indicators of the disease
Low stomach acidity leads to problems with the functioning of the digestive organs. Some enzymes lose activity, which leads to improper digestion of protein and the formation of active fermentation processes.
How to find out this disease? In this condition, the following indicators are observed:
- Frequent heartburn and nausea;
- Bloating and heaviness in the stomach;
- Vomiting after finishing eating or taking medications;
- Food allergies;
- Pain in the intestinal area;
- Diarrhea or, on the contrary, constipation;
- There is generalized weakness and lethargy;
- Losing weight.
Let's take a closer look at such an unpleasant indicator as heartburn. There is a conclusion that heartburn appears only with an increased level of acidity. But this conclusion is not correct and is erroneous. Heartburn with low stomach acidity is a very common indicator. It is not uncommonly painful and very strong. How does heartburn occur with low acidity? Its origin does not require a huge amount of hydrochloric acid.
Because a decrease in acidity levels leads to disorders of the motility of the digestive organs, the patient may experience the following symptoms:
- Prolonged constipation, which cannot be cured with laxatives or diet.
- An unpleasant putrid odor from the mouth caused by rotting processes in the patient’s intestines.
In addition, there are also secondary indicators:
- pieces of food in stool;
- Giardia;
- periodic fungal diseases, which recur more than 3 times a year;
- clear protruding blood capillaries on the face;
- decrease in hemoglobin in the blood;
- origin of acne;
- constant presence of gas in the upper abdomen.
If you see any of the above signs, you need to ask a gastroenterologist for help, who will prescribe the necessary examination and select the right treatment. Self-medication is not recommended.
How to find out acidity
Reduced stomach acidity can lead to cancer and other chronic ailments. For this reason, it is extremely important to determine the acidity of the stomach.
How to determine increased or decreased stomach acidity? A couple of techniques are used for this. All of them are based on intragastric pH measurement. How it goes: on an empty stomach and after finishing a meal, juice is taken and a full endoscopy is performed. In addition, it is possible to determine acidity through a special procedure: the Heidberg test, the essence of which is that the patient is allowed to swallow a certain capsule that is held on by a special thread. The capsule sends radio signals.
When measuring the acidity of the stomach, an examination of the organ is also performed. We should not forget that probing stimulates acid production. Before the procedure, you need to carry out preparatory measures: the root of the tongue is anesthetized, sedatives are injected.
In addition, for diagnosis the following is prescribed:
- Ultrasound of the stomach, intestines and other digestive organs to exclude polyps, tumors and other pathologies.
- non-specialized tests of blood, feces and urine, which show the presence of chronic diseases and primary ailments.
- fluoroscopy.
In addition, it is possible to find out the acidity level at home by using baking soda:
- You need to combine a quarter teaspoon of soda with 150 ml cold water.
- Drink the resulting solution in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Record the time before the first burp occurs.
- If after 3 minutes there is no belching, then this indicates low acidity of the stomach. And if there was belching, then the acidity is normal.
Treatment of the disease
It is clear that the treatment of this disease must be started without delay. Self-medication is unacceptable because medications must be selected personally, taking into account the results of diagnosis and the general condition of the patient. Drug treatment caused by some complications, because there are few truly effective drugs.
In most cases, the expert uses the following to treat this disease: medicines:
- Hydrochloric acid preparations;
- Stimulant drugs;
- Herbal remedies. Medicines that contain certain types of herbs are effective for this disease. They excellently promote the production of gastric juice, in particular hydrochloric acid. But you should not take herbs without the advice of doctors, because not all herbs are harmless, as is thought. Because if herbs are taken incorrectly, they can have a toxic effect on the patient’s body.
In order for the treatment chosen by the doctor to bring the desired result, it is imperative to adhere to all the recommendations and instructions of the expert.
Rescue from illness at home
Let's get acquainted with the methods traditional medicine how to reduce stomach acidity at home:
- A decoction of wormwood, thyme, yarrow, St. John's wort, immortelle, dried grass and centaury, and other herbs and fruits;
- Aloe juice;
- Diluted honey.
Diet
It is forbidden to normalize the level of acidity in the stomach if the patient does not independently control and monitor which specific foods are included in his diet.
- Vegetables and sour fruits;
- Fermented milk products;
- Products with a huge iron content.
You can drink carrot and blackcurrant juices.
Along with this, here is a list of prohibited products that can lead to fermentation processes:
- Pickles, smoked meats, and spicy foods;
- Grapes and freshly baked pastry;
- Coffee and caffeine that contain, and all carbonated waters.
What does decreased stomach acid cause?
This condition can lead to the following diseases:
- Decay products, accumulating in the body, poison it, the immune system decreases, and the risk of fungal and viral diseases increases.
- Due to incomplete digestion of food, there is a shortage of some minerals and vitamins. This has a very bad effect on nails and hair, increasing their fragility and dryness.
- This condition has a very bad effect on the condition of the skin, which becomes dry, acne appears on the face, dilated blood vessels appear
- Anemia, autoimmune diseases and stomach cancer.
- Allergic reactions and intolerance to many products.
- Decreased performance, sleep disturbance, development of depression. Hypotension may occur.
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Symptoms of Low Stomach Acidity
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are quite common. At the same time, most people suffer from increased acidity of gastric juice. But not many people know what the danger is and what the symptoms of low stomach acidity are.
It is well known that food entering the digestive system is broken down under the action of gastric juice. It contains a certain amount of hydrochloric acid, due to which the process of digestion of food occurs. The acidity of gastric juice, which is measured in pH units, depends on the content of hydrochloric acid.
The appearance of heartburn depends not only on external factors: overeating, smoking, consumption of acidic foods, coffee and carbonated drinks. The occurrence of this painful symptom can also be influenced by internal changes, for example, the acidity of gastric juice. It depends on the type of disease, hereditary predisposition to a particular disease. At what acidity does heartburn occur? We now have to find out.
Methods for determining acidity
Acidity or alkalinity is important for many chemical processes in nature and in our body. The efficiency of a particular chemical reaction directly depends on the surrounding pH of the environment.
What is acidity
What are acidity and alkalinity? It is the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution that makes it either acidic, neutral, or alkaline. This hydrogen indicator is usually denoted pH (lat. pondus hydrogenii - the strength of hydrogen), with a numerical value from 0 to 14.
Values that are less than 7 (pH
The numerical indicator pH>7 usually denotes an alkaline environment, and the higher this indicator, the more alkaline the environment is.
pH=7 is neutral. Pure water has this pH.
pH-metry
In recent years, a method such as pH-metry or the study of the acidity of gastric contents has been used very rarely. It is considered uninformative. And it is prescribed only in controversial situations when treatment does not bring the desired result for a long time. The essence of the study is the introduction of thin tubes - pH probes - through the mouth or nose into the stomach cavity to a certain level. The probe contains measuring electrodes that make it possible to study:
- acid levels in several parts of the digestive system at once;
- This method makes it possible to determine whether heartburn will appear with low stomach acidity.
Thanks to more accurate mechanisms, FGDS (fibrogastroduodenoscopy) has pushed probing into the background.
Daily pH monitoring
This type of research, such as daily pH monitoring, has become more widespread. This diagnosis has a number of advantages.
- It is carried out on an outpatient basis.
- The total number of episodes of pH decrease in the esophagus and stomach and their duration are calculated.
- It helps to clarify what acidity is observed during heartburn and the periods of burning pain, to which the body reacts.
- During the pH measurement process, an alkaline test is performed. Baking soda dissolved in water is injected through the probe. In the process, the indicators change from acidic (the norm in the antrum is not lower than 2) to alkaline. The period when they are restored back is called an alkaline test. For a healthy person, this time is approximately 17–20 minutes.
Diseases with altered acidity
Almost any disease of the upper digestive system is accompanied by a change in pH levels. How do you understand heartburn - is it increased or decreased stomach acidity?
Most often, a burning sensation behind the sternum occurs due to the influence of pathological backflow of food or acid from the stomach into the esophagus. With a weak lower esophageal sphincter (the round muscle between the stomach and esophagus), such reflux occurs often. Normal esophageal acidity levels are from 6 to 7 pH. If hydrochloric acid enters the lumen, the pH level decreases, which means the acidity of the esophagus increases and discomfort occurs. Therefore, heartburn occurs when the stomach acidity is high. This symptom is most often observed:
- with GERD;
- hyperacid gastritis;
- stomach ulcer;
- duodenal ulcer.
The minimum acidity at which the esophagus will function normally is 6. Below this level, the functioning of the mucous membrane is disrupted. Over time, areas of mucosal defects or erosion may develop. If hypoacid gastritis has developed (pH level varies between 4–6), whether burning pain will appear depends on the specific case.
Does heartburn occur with low acidity? Quite a real situation. This can happen when the parietal cells of the stomach (those that produce hydrochloric acid) are atrophied or their function is significantly reduced. One of the main functions of gastric juice is bactericidal. When the acidity level is reduced, it is not performed. Food stagnation occurs in the body, gastric motility decreases sharply. If the function of the sphincter is impaired, the food bolus acts on the esophageal mucosa, and heartburn may occur.
Another key point is neutral pH. In this case, the parietal cells practically stop producing hydrochloric acid, and food disinfection does not occur. Food accumulates in the digestive system, gradually beginning to ferment. With such zero acidity, heartburn will not be felt; the person will be bothered by belching, constipation, and pain in the pit of the stomach.
Treatment of diseases with different acidity
The main treatment for hyperacid gastritis (with high stomach acidity) is to eliminate the causes that caused this condition. Therapy is aimed at reducing the level of acidity in the stomach. For this purpose the following are appointed:
- proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor blockers;
- long-term antacids after meals;
- in case of violation of the evacuation function of the stomach - prokinetics.
Not the least important in the treatment of heartburn with high acidity is diet. organization of work and rest.
It is more difficult to choose a treatment with a pH closer to 6; this level in therapy is called hypoacid. It is not advisable to prescribe drugs that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid here. The main treatment for heartburn with low acidity is lifestyle correction and elimination of factors that provoke burning. Additionally, medications are prescribed that increase the level of hydrochloric acid production.
The appearance of heartburn is primarily influenced not by altered pH levels, but by the work of the esophageal muscles; acidity is only an additional factor. Do not be afraid if you have not had your stomach acid level tested. Based on the changed mucosa, a competent doctor will always determine what type of disease it is. The main thing is to contact the right specialist in time.
about the dangers of self-medication to reduce stomach acidity
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In order for any, even the healthiest, body to function correctly, it is necessary to follow certain rules and be guided by them throughout life. Many diseases arise due to the fact that people make gastronomic mistakes, leading to the fact that heartburn with high acidity literally becomes an integral companion, which one always wants to get rid of.
Increased stomach acidity
Without gastric juice, which contains the optimal amount of hydrochloric acid, there will be no normal digestion. Periodically, the level of hydrochloric acid increases. This situation occurs in cases where a person has an infectious disease or a disturbance in the normal functioning of the stomach occurs. Increased stomach acidity appears due to an increase in the amount of hydrochloric acid.
Causes of high stomach acidity
Nothing appears for no reason. Any malfunction in the functioning of the human body must be provoked. Doctors divide problems with high acidity into external and internal causes.
The following are distinguished: external reasons increased stomach acidity:
- Bad habits: smoking, addiction to alcohol.
- Poor nutrition.
- Self-medication and uncontrolled use of medications.
- Work in hazardous industries.
- Consumption of large volumes of hot, spicy, fatty, fried, spicy, pickled foods.
It is precisely this negligent attitude towards one’s health that leads to increased acidity. Although, to a greater extent, internal causes are to blame for stomach problems, which include:
The causes of increased stomach acidity are varied. But, each of them can be dealt with either individually or in combination. The main thing is to make an effort in the right direction and then all problems will be solved.
Increased stomach acidity: symptoms
No problem appears for no reason or is asymptomatic. If a person suffers from one of the following symptoms, then it’s time to take his health seriously.
Increased stomach acidity symptoms most often have the following:
- Heartburn.
- Belching.
- Aching pain in the abdomen. At the same time, as soon as a feeling of hunger appears, the pain intensifies significantly.
- Loss of appetite.
- Due to a constant uncomfortable state, depression may develop.
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Constant heaviness in the stomach even after cleansing the intestines.
- Bloating.
When a person has high stomach acidity, the main symptoms of its manifestation cause unprecedented discomfort and worsen well-being.
Heartburn with high acidity: treatment
Most often, increased stomach acidity occurs with gastritis. It is this that accompanies all the symptoms described above. In order to bring your health back to normal, you need to visit a gastroenterologist. Heartburn with high acidity is not difficult to treat. In a couple of months you can cope with its main manifestations and return to your former health.
Treatment should be carried out using the following recommendations:
- Diet food. It should become the norm of life. The following dishes should be present in the main diet to a greater extent: vegetable purees, buckwheat, rice porridge, omelet, mashed potatoes, oatmeal. Among vegetables, preference should be given to the following: rutabaga, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes. Almost all fruits can be consumed, with the exception of citrus fruits and apples. Drinks you should drink are jelly, compotes and weak green tea.
- Medicines: anticholinergic blockers, histamine blockers, anthracid drugs, flow pump blockers are taken strictly as prescribed and only in the precise dosage specified by the doctor.
Normalizing stomach function is not as difficult as it seems. Treatment for heartburn with increased stomach acidity is simple and affordable. But, in order to prevent the situation from worsening in the future, you should constantly follow the doctor’s recommendations.
Medications for heartburn with high acidity
Self-medication almost always leads to disastrous results. Therefore, all medications for heartburn with high acidity are prescribed by a doctor. Most often, the following medications are recommended to eliminate heartburn and normalize the pH level in the stomach:
Taking the right medications and eating a balanced diet can literally work wonders. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations and then heartburn will no longer bother you.
Treatment of heartburn with folk remedies for high acidity
Many people, knowing some tricks, treat heartburn with folk remedies for high acidity at home. This is not to say that they are very effective and long-lasting. Most often, people simply relieve heartburn rather than treat their painful condition.
- Milk. Glass of milk room temperature quickly suppresses heartburn and reduces acidity.
- Natural vanilla ice cream. 50 grams of ice cream suppresses high acidity.
- Mint. 5-10 mint leaves are poured with boiling water and allowed to cool completely. An hour after eating, you can take this drink to help neutralize heartburn.
- Water. An hour before a meal or an hour after it, it is recommended to drink one glass of water. In addition, to normalize pH, it is recommended to drink up to 8 glasses of clean water per day.
- Basil. After each meal, chew a few basil leaves.
Treatment of heartburn with high acidity is quite simple, but effective. Therefore, to prevent your condition, you can resort to it from time to time.
Herbs for heartburn with high acidity
There are various herbs that use herbs for heartburn with high acidity. Among the most popular herbs it is worth highlighting:
- Chamomile.
- Calendula.
- Licorice root.
- Calamus root.
- Peppermint.
- Centaury.
- Fennel
- Sagebrush.
- Swamp dry grass.
The proposed herbs for heartburn with high acidity can be perfectly combined and created your own decoctions and infusions, since the same concentration of medicinal plants is not suitable for every person.
Honey for heartburn with high acidity
Honey itself is already a very useful medicine. But, using it in concentrated form is not always good for the stomach. Therefore, honey for heartburn with high acidity should be consumed exclusively with water. Two tablespoons natural honey must be diluted in a liter of warm water. Stir well and divide into 4 portions. The first must be done before breakfast, the second before lunch, and the third before dinner. The fourth is recommended to be consumed half an hour before bedtime. The course of treatment should last at least a month. After 4-6 months it is worth repeating.
Nutrition for heartburn and acidity
Proper nutrition for heartburn with high acidity always brings invaluable benefits. It is important to consume in small portions, but more times. If heartburn bothers you greatly, then you should take warm vegetable-based puree soups. Even if in the first week they become the main diet, then acidity can be restored in no time. Weak broths made from chicken, turkey or rabbit fillet also have a beneficial effect on the stomach. Kissels and uzvars perfectly neutralize acids. You should avoid all harmful foods for a long time.
Products for heartburn and hyperacidity
In this case, moderation should be observed. Therefore, everyone can select products for heartburn with high acidity based on individual preferences, but guided by the advice of experts. The diet should mainly consist of cereals and low-fiber vegetables. From fermented milk products worth abstaining. Fruits are allowed in small quantities. But it is preferable to exclude plums, citrus fruits, pineapples and apples.
Heartburn with high acidity is a fairly common phenomenon. Every person has eating disorders. But this disease can be dealt with if you take the right measures to eliminate it in time.
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Presumably a large number of people have heard about such an expression as low stomach acidity. But not everyone knows why this condition is dangerous and how to get rid of it correctly, quickly and for a long time. Let's chat about the main symptoms and indicators accompanying this disease, the remedies and medications used for treatment. How to find out the disease? Are diet and folk remedies effective for saving from this disease? Let's find answers to these and other questions that interest many and let's sort them out.
What is stomach acidity?
Nutrition is a responsible process that supplies the vital functions of the human body. The key role in this move is played by the stomach, whose functions are as follows:
- accumulation of food and its partial processing;
- its next movement is into the intestines, where it is absorbed.
The stomach produces juice, the main purpose of which is to digest the food consumed. This occurs through hydrochloric acid, which is part of the juice. Stomach acidity depends on the amount of acid. This acid is produced by the fundic glands and the more of these glands, the higher the acidity level will be. So, stomach acidity is an indicator of the concentration of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice.
Acidity performs the following important functions in the human body:
- bactericidal in gastric juice;
- process of protein denaturation;
- stimulation of the pancreatic process;
- activation of pepsinogens and their conversion into pepsins;
- creating an acidic environment for the normal functioning of enzymes;
- active participation in normal food processing and subsequent movement of food into the intestines.
For the correct and normal production of hydrochloric acid, vitamins A, B1, C, D are needed.
Circumstances of origin of the disease
It is clear that low acidity levels do not appear without obvious circumstances. The most popular circumstances for the development of this condition:
All of the above conditions in most cases occur either with disturbances in the proper functionality of the glands that produce gastric juice, or in very severe cases - with a complete loss of performance. Regardless of the circumstances that provoked the appearance of this disease, low acidity poses significant threats to the patient’s health. If the acidity of the stomach is normal, then it does not allow various negative microflora to enter the intestines, thereby providing a protective function.
In addition, a healthy level of acidity has excellent disinfecting, antiviral and bactericidal functions. But a decrease in stomach acidity can cause various intestinal infections. All this leads to the formation of important inflammatory pathologies. With reduced acidity, the body’s absorption of many important vitamins and minerals for the body’s performance deteriorates.
This disease is seen much more often in older people.
Characteristic symptoms and indicators of the disease
Low stomach acidity leads to problems with the functioning of the digestive organs. Some enzymes lose activity, which leads to improper digestion of protein and the formation of active fermentation processes.
How to find out this disease? In this condition, the following indicators are observed:
- Frequent heartburn and nausea;
- Bloating and heaviness in the stomach;
- Vomiting after finishing eating or taking medications;
- Food allergies;
- Pain in the intestinal area;
- Diarrhea or, on the contrary, constipation;
- There is generalized weakness and lethargy;
- Losing weight.
Let's take a closer look at such an unpleasant indicator as heartburn. There is a conclusion that heartburn appears only with an increased level of acidity. But this conclusion is not correct and is erroneous. Heartburn with low stomach acidity is a very common indicator. It is not uncommonly painful and very strong. How does heartburn occur with low acidity? Its origin does not require a huge amount of hydrochloric acid.
Because a decrease in acidity levels leads to disorders of the motility of the digestive organs, the patient may experience the following symptoms:
- Prolonged constipation, which cannot be cured with laxatives or diet.
- An unpleasant putrid odor from the mouth caused by rotting processes in the patient’s intestines.
In addition, there are also secondary indicators:
- pieces of food in stool;
- Giardia;
- periodic fungal diseases, which recur more than 3 times a year;
- clear protruding blood capillaries on the face;
- decrease in hemoglobin in the blood;
- origin of acne;
- constant presence of gas in the upper abdomen.
If you see any of the above signs, you need to ask a gastroenterologist for help, who will prescribe the necessary examination and select the right treatment. Self-medication is not recommended.
How to find out acidity
Reduced stomach acidity can lead to cancer and other chronic ailments. For this reason, it is extremely important to determine the acidity of the stomach.
How to determine increased or decreased stomach acidity? A couple of techniques are used for this. All of them are based on intragastric pH measurement. How it goes: on an empty stomach and after finishing a meal, juice is taken and a full endoscopy is performed. In addition, it is possible to determine acidity through a special procedure: the Heidberg test, the essence of which is that the patient is allowed to swallow a certain capsule that is held on by a special thread. The capsule sends radio signals.
When measuring the acidity of the stomach, an examination of the organ is also performed. We should not forget that probing stimulates acid production. Before the procedure, you need to carry out preparatory measures: the root of the tongue is anesthetized, sedatives are injected.
In addition, for diagnosis the following is prescribed:
- Ultrasound of the stomach, intestines and other digestive organs to exclude polyps, tumors and other pathologies.
- non-specialized tests of blood, feces and urine, which show the presence of chronic diseases and primary ailments.
- fluoroscopy.
In addition, you can find out the acidity level at home by using baking soda:
- You need to combine a quarter teaspoon of baking soda with 150 ml of cold water.
- Drink the resulting solution in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Record the time before the first burp occurs.
- If after 3 minutes there is no belching, then this indicates low acidity of the stomach. And if there was belching, then the acidity is normal.
Treatment of the disease
It is clear that the treatment of this disease must be started without delay. Self-medication is unacceptable because medications must be selected personally, taking into account the results of diagnosis and the general condition of the patient. Drug treatment is caused by some complications, because there are few truly effective drugs.
In most cases, the expert uses the following medications to treat this disease:
- Hydrochloric acid preparations;
- Stimulant drugs;
- Herbal remedies. Medicines that contain certain types of herbs are effective for this disease. They excellently promote the production of gastric juice, in particular hydrochloric acid. But you should not take herbs without the advice of doctors, because not all herbs are harmless, as is thought. Because if herbs are taken incorrectly, they can have a toxic effect on the patient’s body.
In order for the treatment chosen by the doctor to bring the desired result, it is imperative to adhere to all the recommendations and instructions of the expert.
Rescue from illness at home
Let's get acquainted with traditional medicine methods to reduce stomach acidity at home:
- A decoction of wormwood, thyme, yarrow, St. John's wort, immortelle, dried grass and centaury, and other herbs and fruits;
- Aloe juice;
- Diluted honey.
Diet
It is forbidden to normalize the level of acidity in the stomach if the patient does not independently control and monitor which specific foods are included in his diet.
- Vegetables and sour fruits;
- Fermented milk products;
- Products with a huge iron content.
You can drink carrot and blackcurrant juices.
Along with this, here is a list of prohibited products that can lead to fermentation processes:
- Pickles, smoked meats, and spicy foods;
- Grapes and freshly baked pastry;
- Coffee and caffeine that contain, and all carbonated waters.
What does decreased stomach acid cause?
This condition can lead to the following diseases:
- Decay products, accumulating in the body, poison it, the immune system decreases, and the risk of fungal and viral diseases increases.
- Due to incomplete digestion of food, there is a lack of certain minerals and vitamins. This has a very bad effect on nails and hair, increasing their fragility and dryness.
- This condition has a very bad effect on the condition of the skin, which becomes dry, acne appears on the face, dilated blood vessels appear
- Anemia, autoimmune diseases and stomach cancer.
- Allergic reactions and intolerance to many products.
- Decreased performance, sleep disturbance, development of depression. Hypotension may occur.
The appearance of heartburn depends not only on external factors: overeating, smoking, consumption of acidic foods, coffee and carbonated drinks. The occurrence of this painful symptom can also be influenced by internal changes, for example, the acidity of gastric juice. It depends on the type of disease, hereditary predisposition to a particular disease. At what acidity does heartburn occur? We now have to find out.
Methods for determining acidity
Acidity or alkalinity is important for many chemical processes in nature and in our body. The efficiency of a particular chemical reaction directly depends on the surrounding pH of the environment.
What is acidity
What are acidity and alkalinity? It is the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution that makes it either acidic, neutral, or alkaline. This hydrogen indicator is usually denoted pH (lat. pondus hydrogenii - the strength of hydrogen), with a numerical value from 0 to 14.
Values that are less than 7 (pH<7) обозначают кислую среду, и чем ниже это числовое значение, тем более кислотной является среда. Например, нормальная кислотность желудочного сока составляет pH=1–2, что является резко кислой средой.
The numerical indicator pH>7 usually denotes an alkaline environment, and the higher this indicator, the more alkaline the environment is.
pH=7 is neutral. Pure water has this pH.
pH-metry
In recent years, a method such as pH-metry or the study of the acidity of gastric contents has been used very rarely. It is considered uninformative. And it is prescribed only in controversial situations when treatment does not bring the desired result for a long time. The essence of the study is the introduction of thin tubes - pH probes - through the mouth or nose into the stomach cavity to a certain level. The probe contains measuring electrodes that make it possible to study:
- acid levels in several parts of the digestive system at once;
- This method makes it possible to determine whether heartburn will appear with low stomach acidity.
Thanks to more accurate mechanisms, FGDS (fibrogastroduodenoscopy) has pushed probing into the background.
Daily pH monitoring
This type of research, such as daily pH monitoring, has become more widespread. This diagnosis has a number of advantages.
- It is carried out on an outpatient basis.
- The total number of episodes of pH decrease in the esophagus and stomach and their duration are calculated.
- It helps to clarify what acidity is observed during heartburn and the periods of burning pain, to which the body reacts.
- During the pH measurement process, an alkaline test is performed. Baking soda dissolved in water is injected through the probe. In the process, the indicators change from acidic (the norm in the antrum is not lower than 2) to alkaline. The period when they are restored back is called an alkaline test. For a healthy person, this time is approximately 17–20 minutes.
Diseases with altered acidity
Almost any disease of the upper digestive system is accompanied by a change in pH levels. How to understand whether it is heartburn or low heartburn?
Most often, a burning sensation behind the sternum occurs due to the influence of pathological backflow of food or acid from the stomach into the esophagus. With a weak lower esophageal sphincter (the round muscle between the stomach and esophagus), such reflux occurs often. Normal esophageal acidity levels are from 6 to 7 pH. If hydrochloric acid enters the lumen, the pH level decreases, which means the acidity of the esophagus increases and discomfort occurs. Therefore, heartburn occurs when the stomach acidity is high. This symptom is most often observed:
- with GERD;
- hyperacid gastritis;
- stomach ulcer;
- duodenal ulcer.
The minimum acidity at which the esophagus will function normally is 6. Below this level, the functioning of the mucous membrane is disrupted. Over time, areas of mucosal defects or erosion may develop. If hypoacid gastritis has developed (pH level varies between 4–6), whether burning pain will appear depends on the specific case.
Does heartburn occur with low acidity? Quite a real situation. This can happen when the parietal cells of the stomach (those that produce hydrochloric acid) are atrophied or their function is significantly reduced. One of the main functions of gastric juice is bactericidal. When the acidity level is reduced, it is not performed. Food stagnation occurs in the body, gastric motility decreases sharply. If the function of the sphincter is impaired, the food bolus acts on the esophageal mucosa, and heartburn may occur.
Another key point is neutral pH. In this case, the parietal cells practically stop producing hydrochloric acid, and food disinfection does not occur. Food accumulates in the digestive system, gradually beginning to ferment. With such zero acidity, heartburn will not be felt; the person will be bothered by belching, constipation, and pain in the pit of the stomach.
The main treatment for hyperacid gastritis (with high stomach acidity) is to eliminate the causes that caused this condition. Therapy is aimed at reducing the level of acidity in the stomach. For this purpose the following are appointed:
- proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor blockers;
- long-term antacids after meals;
- in case of violation of the evacuation function of the stomach - prokinetics.
Not least important in the treatment of heartburn with high acidity is the organization of work and rest.
It is more difficult to choose a treatment with a pH closer to 6; this level in therapy is called hypoacid. It is not advisable to prescribe drugs that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid here. The main treatment for heartburn with low acidity is lifestyle correction and elimination of factors that provoke burning. Additionally, medications are prescribed that increase the level of hydrochloric acid production.
The appearance of heartburn is primarily influenced not by altered pH levels, but by the work of the esophageal muscles; acidity is only an additional factor. Do not be afraid if you have not had your stomach acid level tested. Based on the changed mucosa, a competent doctor will always determine what type of disease it is. The main thing is to contact the right specialist in time.
