Signs and treatments for low stomach acid

The stomach is a hollow organ formed by muscle tissue, which is part of the human digestive system and is necessary for storing and digesting food. Stomach acidity is determined by the concentration of hydrochloric acid - an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride, which is produced by parietal cells. Parietal glandulocytes of the stomach are also responsible for the synthesis of complex peptide compounds, which consist of pepsin (a proteolytic enzyme of the hydrolase class) and mucoid, a mucous secretion secreted by mucocytes (cells of the epithelial lining of the stomach).

Description and structure of the stomach

If the acidity of the gastrointestinal environment is reduced, inflammation of the stomach walls occurs, which is called antacid gastritis (gastritis with low acidity) . The disease can cause the formation of peptic ulcerations, atrophy of the mucous membranes, and degenerative changes in the inner surface of the stomach. Secondary prevention of such complications is timely treatment of the provoking disease and adherence to a therapeutic and preventive diet. In order to start the necessary therapy on time, it is important to know the signs of low stomach acidity, as well as understand the basics of conservative treatment of antacid gastritis.

Signs of low stomach acidity

Hydrochloric acid in the body and its functions

Hydrochloric acid is produced by the parietal cells of the stomach, the functioning of which is controlled by three components:

• gastrin - a hormone synthesized by the pyloric part of the stomach, cells of the pancreas and duodenum;
• histamine – a mediator of immediate allergic reactions;
• acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that controls neuromuscular transmission.

Production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach

The synthesis of hydrochloric acid occurs as a result of stimulation of specific receptors. The aqueous hydrogen chloride formed as a result of stimulation performs many functions, the main one of which is to ensure digestive processes. Hydrochloric acid in small quantities is necessary for the curdling of milk and dairy products and the release of casein - complex protein molecules. It also causes swelling and denaturation of food substances (proteins, fats) for further breakdown and digestion by digestive enzymes.

Hydrochloric acid supports the acid reaction of gastric juice, necessary for the activation of pepsin, participates in the stimulation of glandular cells of the stomach, affects the functioning of the small and large intestines and the further absorption of food. Hydrogen chloride is also necessary for the prevention of infectious diseases of the digestive tract, as it has bactericidal properties and destroys bacteria that enter the human body through the mouth (for example, pathogens contained in sputum, which a person swallows when it is impossible to expectorate).

Functions of hydrochloric acid in the stomach

Video: The mechanism of secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach

What foods are undesirable to eat?

You will have to give up foods such as smoked meat products and fatty pork, as they greatly irritate the lining of the stomach.

It is forbidden to eat fatty and rich soups (especially mushroom soup), pickles, raw vegetables, spicy dishes (which is why all spicy seasonings are prohibited), garlic, onions, sour juices, baked goods, brown bread, unripe and sour vegetables and fruits, fried eggs, meat and fish, which were stewed in their own juice. Be sure to give up all carbonated drinks and fast food! These products affect acidity too much.

It is not advisable to eat pea and millet porridges, unnatural juices, sorrel soup, mushrooms, turnips, radishes, and pineapple juice. Completely give up cigarettes and alcoholic drinks - they provoke a concentration of acid in the gastric juice.

The normal level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach

The normal concentration is considered to be no more than 0.5% hydrochloric acid. Indicators from 0.4% to 0.6% can be considered a relative norm: this concentration corresponds to pH=0>9-1.5. Deviations from these values ​​indicate increased or decreased gastric acidity and are one of the main clinical signs of chronic gastritis.

Acid in the stomach

Table. Hydrochloric acid content in various stomach diseases.

Note! To determine the acidity of the stomach, intragastric pH-metry is used, which allows one to assess the level of hydrochloric acid not only in the stomach cavity, but also in the esophagus, as well as in the duodenum.

Determination of gastric juice acidity

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 adhere to some rules in your diet:
- you need to eat small meals, 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;

- It is not recommended to eat at night; the main food load should be in the first half of the day.

Signs of low acidity

Since low stomach acidity is one of the main prerequisites for the formation of malignant tumors, it is important to know how the pathology clinically manifests itself and whether its symptoms can be determined at home. Despite the fact that only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis after an initial diagnosis, some signs can be identified independently.

Bad breath

This symptom in antacid gastritis and other diseases that develop against the background of reduced secretion of hydrochloric acid is detected in almost 90% of patients. With low stomach acidity, the smell from the mouth becomes putrid, pungent, has high intensity, and may be accompanied by rotten belching. Symptoms intensify after eating, as well as after prolonged fasting (more than 6-8 hours).

Bad breath

You can understand that an unpleasant odor is associated with digestive disorders by the following signs:

• the patient does not have caries, diseased teeth, gingivitis, periodontitis and other dental diseases;
• the smell appears within 1-2 hours after brushing your teeth;
• mouth rinses, balms, and mouth fresheners cope with the problem for short periods of time.

The condition of the tongue is normal and in various diseases

Note! Breath odor with low acidity reaches its maximum intensity in the morning due to the long night break between meals.

Stool instability

Alternating constipation and diarrhea is another possible symptom of decreased secretion of hydrogen chloride in the stomach. Stool disorders occur as a result of a lack of pepsin and other digestive enzymes, the activity of which is stimulated by hydrochloric acid. This leads to disruption of digestive processes and poor absorption of nutrients and nutrients in the intestines. Insufficiency of the secretory function of parietal gastric cells also leads to a decrease in the amount of detritus in the intestine, as a result of which the feces become dry and their evacuation from the intestine is difficult.

What does sheep feces mean in humans?

The pathology may manifest itself with the following symptoms:

• changes in the color and smell of stool, as well as its consistency (caused by a violation of the gastric and intestinal microflora);
• prolonged absence of bowel movements, accompanied by intestinal spasms and tenesmus (false, painful urge to have a bowel movement);
• functional diarrhea, which begins suddenly and can persist for several days against the background of normal health of the patient and the absence of signs of intestinal infections.

Functional diarrhea

Important! Similar symptoms can appear with any disease of the digestive system, so it is impossible to make a diagnosis on your own based on these clinical manifestations alone.

Functional dyspepsia

This symptom complex can manifest itself with various signs. The most common are flatulence (increased accumulation of gases in the intestines), pain in the upper abdomen, rumbling in the abdomen, a feeling of heaviness and fullness that occurs after eating, even if a person observes moderation in food and eats small portions. Particles of undigested food may be present in the stool, since digestion is disrupted if the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach decreases to 0.3% or lower. Most often these are dairy products, meat, fish, eggs and other protein-rich foods.

Scheme of acid test

Many patients are bothered by heartburn, belching, and a feeling of gas moving in the lower abdomen.

Video: How to find out if your stomach acidity is high or low

Indirect symptoms

Indirect manifestations of reduced synthesis of hydrochloric acid are conditions that develop as a result of impaired digestion and breakdown of proteins and other nutrients. Pathology can manifest itself as external changes, for example, skin rashes (acne, boils, comedones), dullness and brittle hair, changes in the structure and color of the nail plates. In the absence of adequate treatment for a long time, the skin becomes dry, covered with red spots, peels, and acquires an earthy tint.

Peeling skin on the face

Against the background of insufficient breakdown of substances entering the body and the accumulation of toxic products of putrefaction and fermentation in the intestines, the patient may develop immunopathological conditions, for example:

• colds;
• intestinal infections;
• fungal infections (onychomycosis, candidiasis, systemic mycosis);
• skin diseases (urticaria, eczema);
• decreased visual and hearing acuity.

If the concentration of hydrochloric acid is no more than 0.1% (or zero), the patient may experience problems with blood vessels and capillaries: they become brittle, their elasticity and the strength of the walls decrease.

Chronic gastritis with low, normal and high acidity

Important! Iron deficiency anemia, associated with insufficient activation of digestive enzymes (against the background of low acidity) necessary for the absorption of iron from food, can also be regarded as a possible symptom of impaired hydrochloric acid secretion. To detect anemia, it is necessary to take a general blood test. Pathology is diagnosed if the hemoglobin level is below 120 g/l (for women - 110 g/l).

Iron-deficiency anemia

Diagnostics

Symptoms of gastritis with reduced secretion are not always pronounced. To make an accurate diagnosis, the following studies are carried out:

General clinical tests of blood, urine, and feces are usually within normal limits.

FGS is carried out to evaluate the gastric mucosa, to detect the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, to take biological material for testing for the presence of atypical (cancer) cells.

Endoscopy reveals a picture of mucosal atrophy: the mucosa is pale, the folds are smoothed, and vessels are visible through the thinned glandular epithelium. There is a decrease in the main and parietal cells, and the contamination with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is insignificant.

Detection of H. pylori infection is carried out in several ways:

1. The polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) method is the detection of bacterial DNA fragments in feces. Reliability reaches 95%.
2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA) – the presence of antibodies to the bacterium in the blood serum confirms infection with H. pylori.
3. Breath urease test . The test is based on the detection of the enzyme urease, which the bacterium produces as protection against the aggressive action of hydrochloric acid.

Treatment: drugs for basic therapy

Basic therapy for low gastric acidity includes treatment of the inflammatory process in the stomach, which, against the background of existing disorders, occurs in 96.3% of patients. To select an adequate treatment regimen, the patient is prescribed a full examination, which allows not only to measure the acidity of gastric juice, but also to identify the presence of ulcers, erosions, and also determine the quantitative composition of the gastric microflora. If bacterial culture reveals the presence of spiral-shaped bacteria Helicobacter pylori in the gastric mucosa, the initial stage of therapy will be eradication of the pathogen.

Helicobacter pylori

For this, three lines of protocol are used, which include the use of antibiotics (Clarithromycin, Amoxicillin, Metronidazole, Azithromycin), vermouth preparations (De-nol), antacids (Maalox, Rennie). and proton pump blockers (Rabeprazole, Omeprazole).

"Renny"

The most important task in the treatment of low gastric acidity is stimulation of secretory function. For this, some antispasmodics (for example, products based on papaverine hydrochloride), caffeine, potassium and calcium preparations (Calcium gluconate, Asparkam, Panangin) can be used. Gastric juice preparations (Betacid, Acidin-pepsin) are used as replacement therapy. They must be taken strictly with meals, dissolving the tablets in boiled water.

"Acidin-pepsin"

Drug treatment may also include auxiliary medications, listed in the table below.

Table. Adjuvant therapy for antacid (anacidic) gastritis.

Folk remedies for high and low stomach acidity

To normalize the patient’s general condition, improve the immunological status, and correct deficiency conditions, vitamin and mineral complexes and supplements are selected for the patient. Treatment for low stomach acidity also includes a special diet aimed at reducing the protein load, stimulating secretory function and providing the body with missing vitamins and minerals. Read the left side of the abdomen on our website.