The development of many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can be associated with destabilization of the level of stomach acid, so you need to constantly maintain normal acidity, and also know what acid is normal in a person’s stomach. If you develop unpleasant symptoms indicating various pathologies, you should immediately seek help from a doctor. More details about stomach acidity will be discussed in this article.
What acid is in the human stomach?
What it is
Gastric juice is a special liquid characterized by a complex composition. The juice is produced by the stomach, or more precisely, by the cells of its mucosa. Outwardly, it looks a little like regular glue: it is transparent and has no characteristic odor. In addition, gastric juice may contain small clumps of mucus. It contains organic compounds, minerals, various enzymes, mucus, and gastrin, a hormone synthesized by G-cells of the stomach.
Composition of gastric juice
On a note! Also, gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid or, as doctors also call it, hydrochloric acid (a colorless, caustic liquid with a pungent odor). It plays an important role in the functioning of the digestive system, as it is found in large quantities in gastric juice.
Gastric juice
Production and neutralization of hydrochloric acid
Located in the upper and middle part of the stomach, parietal or parietal cells produce hydrochloric acid. The density should be 160 mmol/l. The number of cells and the quality of synthesis of other components of gastric juice affect the final acidity and symptoms. These indicators will indicate the amount of acid.
The antrum is the lower section of the stomach, which is responsible for the production of mucus. It acts as a protective layer that protects the walls from corrosion by acid. In addition, bicarbonates are produced there, which neutralize acid; the antrum is the last section at the stage of food entering the intestines, where the acidic environment should be absent.
Norm of hydrochloric acid
It is worth noting that the acidity of gastric juice is measured in pH units . Under normal circumstances and in the absence of health problems, the acidity level of human gastric juice should vary in the range from 1.5 to 2 pH. Diagnosis should be carried out on an empty stomach, otherwise laboratory results may be unreliable.
Components of gastric juice in normal and pathological conditions
If we talk about the minimum and maximum permissible norms, these are, respectively, 0.86 and 8.3 pH. These indicators usually depend on the production of hydrochloric acid by the patient's stomach. According to statistics, the proportion of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice of an absolutely healthy person ranges from 0.4% to 0.5%.
Myths about determining acidity
Stomach acidity
Stomach acidity
(
acidity of gastric juice
) - a characteristic of the concentration of acid in the lumen of the stomach or in gastric juice.
Measured in units of pH
.
Content
- Hydrochloric acid and the stomach
- Production and neutralization of stomach acid
- Stomach acidity values
- Acidity at various points in the stomach
- Methods for determining stomach acidity
- Assessment of acid formation and acid neutralization of the stomach by acidity level
- Increased stomach acidity. Symptoms
- Reduced stomach acidity. Symptoms
- Publications for healthcare professionals regarding stomach acidity
Hydrochloric acid and the stomach
The main contribution to the total acidity of gastric juice is made by hydrochloric acid, which is produced by the parietal (lining) cells of the fundic glands of the stomach, located mainly in the area of the fundus and body of the stomach.
The concentration of hydrochloric acid secreted by parietal cells is the same and equal to 160 mmol/l, but the acidity of the secreted gastric juice varies due to changes in the number of functioning parietal cells and neutralization of hydrochloric acid by alkaline components of gastric juice. The presence of other acids in the stomach of a healthy person is insignificant. Sometimes the stomach contains lactic acid, which is the result of the vital activity of lactic acid bacteria (lactobacteria, enterococci, lactococcus lactis, etc.), which can only exist in the absence of hydrochloric acid. The presence of lactic acid in the stomach indicates a significantly reduced acidity of the stomach or a complete absence of hydrochloric acid secretion. Most often, lactic acid is found in the gastric contents of stomach cancer. To correctly assess the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, the acidity value must be determined simultaneously in different parts of the stomach or in different parts of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. For correct diagnosis of diseases, it is important to have information about the graph of changes in acidity over time (pH-gram) and the dynamics of changes in acidity after taking certain stimulants or medications.
Production and neutralization of stomach acid
One of the main functions of the gastrointestinal tract is secretory, ensuring the production and secretion by glandular cells of digestive juices containing enzymes and factors that contribute to their activation.
For the normal course of gastric digestion processes, a rhythmic release of hydrochloric acid into the lumen of the stomach is necessary. The constant secretion of hydrochloric acid provides the conditions for the proteolytic action produced by the main (another name for zymogenic) cells of the gastric mucosa - pepsin, denatures proteins, and provides a bactericidal effect. The gastric mucosa is divided into 2 main zones: a zone that produces hydrochloric acid, and a zone that secretes bicarbonates intended to neutralize hydrochloric acid.
The acid-forming zone is located at the level of the anatomical body and the cardiac part of the stomach. In this zone there is a large number of parietal cells (in men - from 960 to 1,260 million cells, in women - from 690 to 910 million) that produce hydrochloric acid.
The gastric mucosa contains a large number of endocrine cells that produce a number of hormones. 35% of endocrine cells in the stomach of a healthy person are enterochromaffin-like (ECL-) cells that secrete histamine, 26% are G-cells that secrete gastrin. In third place in number are D-cells that secrete somatostatin. Gastrin, histamine and acetylcholine stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid, somatostatin and prostaglandins inhibit it.
Accessory cells of the gastric mucosa secrete protective mucus with an alkaline reaction. Mucus keeps intact the entire array of gastric cells that come into contact with aggressive gastric contents. If the production of protective mucus is disrupted, destroyed or in relatively insufficient quantities, the aggressive gastric environment has a detrimental effect on the gastric mucosa, causing inflammation - gastritis, or leading to ulcers in the stomach and duodenum.
Thus, the stomach is a complex system containing both aggressive and defensive factors. Violation of their interaction leads to various pathological conditions, which can be called stomach diseases. The best method for elucidating the relationship between these factors is multichannel intragastric pH-metry (V.A. Stupin).
Stomach acidity values
The maximum observed acidity in the stomach is 0.86 pH, which corresponds to an acid production of 160 mmol/l.
The minimum acidity in the stomach is 8.3 pH, which corresponds to the acidity of a saturated solution of HCO3- ions. Normal acidity in the lumen of the body of the stomach on an empty stomach is 1.5–2.0 pH. The acidity on the surface of the epithelial layer facing the lumen of the stomach is 1.5–2.0 pH. The acidity in the depths of the epithelial layer of the stomach is about 7.0 pH. Normal acidity in the antrum of the stomach is 1.3–7.4 pH. For reference: pH value = 7 corresponds to a neutral acidity value. At pH below 7 the environment is acidic, at pH above 7 it is alkaline.
Above is a graph of the acidity (daily pH gram) of the body of the stomach of a healthy person (dashed line) and a patient with a duodenal ulcer (solid line). Moments of eating are marked with arrows labeled “Food”. The graph shows the acid-neutralizing effect of food, as well as increased stomach acidity with duodenal ulcer (Yakovenko A.V.).
In newborns, the acidity in the stomach before the first feeding ranges from 4.0 to 6.5 pH, which indicates the absence of free hydrochloric acid, which appears only during the first feeding. After the first feeding, the acidity level in the newborn’s stomach ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 pH (Rimarchuk G.V. et al.).
Acidity at various points in the stomach
The figure below shows the points of the gastroduodenal zone at which acidity is studied during gastroduodenoscopic examination - endoscopic pH-metry. Since the introduction of a gastroscope is a procedure that stimulates acid formation, the pH values measured during endoscopic pH-metry are considered stimulated.
Points at which acidity is measured when performing endoscopic pH measurement
1 – “lake”, 2 – fornix of the stomach, 3 – posterior wall of the middle third of the body of the stomach, 4 – anterior wall of the middle third of the body of the stomach, 5 – lesser curvature of the middle third of the antrum, 6 – greater curvature of the middle third of the antrum, 7 – anterior wall of the duodenal bulb
The range of fluctuations in acidity in patients with no structural changes in the gastric mucosa are presented in the table below (Sotnikov V.N. et al.):
| No. of point in the figure | Point localization | Limits of acidity fluctuations, units. pH | Average acidity value, units. pH |
| 1 | "Ozertso" | 0,9 – 2,2 | 1,47±0,1 |
| 2 | Gastric vault | 0,9 – 4,6 | 1,96±0,38 |
| 3 | Body of stomach, posterior wall | 1,0 – 1,8 | 1,2±0,1 |
| 4 | Body of stomach, anterior wall | 0,9 – 1,4 | 1,1±0,1 |
| 5 | Antrum, lesser curvature | 1,6 – 7,2 | 4,6±0,4 |
| 6 | Antrum, greater curvature | 1,3 – 7,4 | 4,6±0,4 |
| 7 | Duodenal bulb, anterior wall | 5,6 – 7,9 | 6,5±0,25 |
Methods for determining stomach acidity
1. Stomach acidity is determined by the degree of urine coloration, for which ion exchange resins such as “Acidotest”, “Gastrotest” and others are used.
The accuracy of the method is very low and, therefore, it has hardly been used recently. 2. Fractional intubation of the stomach. The contents of the stomach are sucked out using a rubber tube, and the acidity of the gastric juice is then measured in the laboratory. During the suction process, the gastric contents obtained from different areas of the stomach are mixed. In addition, during the suction process, the normal functioning of the stomach is disrupted, and the method gives distorted, approximate results. 3. The most informative and physiological method is to measure acidity directly in the gastrointestinal tract - intragastric pH-metry. Allows you to use special devices - acidogastrometers, equipped with pH probes with one or more pH sensors, to measure acidity simultaneously in different zones of the gastrointestinal tract for a long time. Depending on the type of diagnostic task, there are: express pH-metry, short-term pH-metry, daily pH-metry and endoscopic pH-metry.
Assessment of acid formation and acid neutralization of the stomach by acidity level
To assess the state of the acid formation process in the stomach, short-term pH-metry is used. The table below shows the relevant criteria:
| The state of acid formation in the body of the stomach | Acidity, units pH | |
| Basal | Stimulated | |
| Hyperacidity, continuous acid formation | 0,9 – 1,5 | 0,9 – 1,2 |
| Normalcidity, continuous acid formation | 1,6 – 2,0 | 1,2 – 2,0 |
| Hypoacidity | 2,1 – 6,0 | 2,1 – 3,0 |
| Subanacidicity | 3,1 – 5,0 | |
| Anacidity | more than 6.0 | more than 5.0 |
The state of the neutralizing function of the stomach
is assessed by calculating the difference between the minimum acidity (which corresponds to the maximum pH value) in the antrum and the maximum acidity (corresponding to the minimum pH) in the body of the stomach:
| Minimum acidity or max pH (antrum) - maximum acidity or min pH (body of the stomach), units. pH | Acid neutralization state |
| 4.0 or more | Compensated function |
| 1,5 – 3,9 | Subcompensated function |
| less than 1.5 | Decompensated function |
Increased stomach acidity. Symptoms
The cause of many diseases of the digestive tract is an imbalance in the processes of acid production and acid neutralization.
Long-term hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid or lack of acid neutralization, and, as a consequence, increased acidity in the stomach and/or duodenum, causes so-called acid-dependent diseases. Currently, these include: peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erosive and ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum while taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, gastritis and gastroduodenitis with high acidity and others. In general, we can say that for successful treatment of most acid-related diseases, it is important that the pH level in the stomach be more than 4.0 for at least 16 hours a day. More detailed studies have established that each of the acid-related diseases has its own critical level of acidity, which must be maintained for at least 16 hours a day (Isakov V.A.):
| Acid-dependent diseases | Acidity level required for healing, pH, not less |
| Gastrointestinal bleeding | 6 |
| GERD complicated by extraesophageal manifestations | 6 |
| Quadruple or triple therapy with antibiotics | 5 |
| Erosive GERD | 4 |
| Damage to the gastric mucosa caused by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | 4 |
| Functional dyspepsia | 3 |
| Maintenance therapy for GERD | 3 |
When treating conditions with high acidity, antacid or antisecretory drugs are used. At the same time, antacids should not be considered as “main therapy” drugs, only as symptomatic or “on demand” drugs. The most effective medications that allow the longest time to neutralize the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach are proton pump inhibitors. However, in some patients, in particular for genetic reasons, specific drugs do not provide the desired acid-blocking effect and to achieve a therapeutic result, a special selection of antisecretory agents is required, carried out using pH monitoring (Belmer S.V.). The main symptoms of high acidity are, in fact, symptoms of the acid-related diseases listed above. For diseases of the esophagus - this is heartburn, for gastric and duodenal ulcers, in particular, pain, which is usually paroxysmal, less often - aching in nature, usually of medium duration or long, with localization in the epigastric, pyloroduodenal areas or in the navel, with In this case, after eating, the pain usually goes away, but between meals it increases. With pyloric insufficiency, acid enters the duodenal bulb from the stomach, and, in the presence of disorders of the mucous membrane in the bulb, causes pain in the right hypochondrium. However, it is impossible to draw conclusions about the presence of increased acidity only on the basis of the patient’s sensations; to establish the correct diagnosis, a mandatory instrumental study is necessary.
See also: “Diets for gastritis with high and low acidity.”
Reduced stomach acidity. Symptoms
Reduced acidity is observed with anacid or hypoacid gastritis or gastroduodenitis, as well as with stomach cancer. Gastritis (gastroduodenitis) is called anacid or gastritis (gastroduodenitis) with low acidity if the acidity in the body of the stomach is approximately 5 units or more. pH. The cause of low acidity is often atrophy of parietal cells in the mucous membrane or disturbances in their functions.
pH-gram of the body of the stomach, anacidity (low acidity) of gastric juice (Storonova O.A., Trukhmanov A.S.)
Even in the absence of any gastroenterological symptoms, low acidity is a serious problem.
The acid in the stomach provides a bactericidal effect. If there is insufficient acid, the protection is noticeably weakened and microorganisms can easily enter the intestines along with food, disturbing its microflora. People suffering from anacid gastritis often have indigestion when the lining becomes inflamed. Against this background, various pathologies more often develop due to the action of infections, including Helicobacter pylori
(Okulova G., Efimova V.)
With low acidity, pepsin and other proteolytic enzymes are not activated, remaining in an inactive form. As a result, protein digestion does not occur in the stomach, but instead fermentation processes begin, which are manifested by bloating, flatulence, and pain caused by excessive amounts of gas in the intestines. Proteins are not completely absorbed, leaving behind intermediate breakdown products in the stomach, which have a toxic effect on the body. Their accumulation along with other metabolic waste reduces the resistance of the immune system and contributes to the occurrence of cancer.
Low acidity negatively affects the motility of the stomach and intestines, which can manifest itself in the form of persistent constipation, which is not eliminated by normalizing the diet and, often, putrid breath.
Thus, symptoms of gastritis or gastroduodenitis with low acidity may include flatulence, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and a putrid odor. However, it is possible to accurately determine the type of acidity only with the help of intragastric pH-metry (Okulova G., Efimova V.).
See also: “Diets for gastritis with high and low acidity.”
Publications for healthcare professionals regarding stomach acidity
- Rapoport S.I., Lakshin A.A., Rakitin B.V., Trifonov M.M. pH-metry of the esophagus and stomach in diseases of the upper digestive tract / Ed. Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences F.I. Komarova. – M.: ID MEDPRACTIKA-M. — 2005. – p. 208.
- Dubinskaya T.K., Volova A.V., Razzhivina A.A., Nikishina E.I. Gastric acid production and methods for its determination. Tutorial. — M. Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education. - 2004. - 20 p.
- V.A. Stupin. Functional gastroenterology. Instrumental research methods. – A manual for doctors. - M.: 2009 - 28 p.
- Ilchenko A.A., Selezneva E.Ya. Computer pH-metry of the stomach and esophagus. Clinical significance of the method: Methodological recommendations No. 15.-M.: Department of Health of the Moscow Government, 2001. - 40 p.
- Apenchenko Yu.S., Ivanova I.I., Rozov D.N., Ustinova O.K. Indicators of 24-hour pH-metry in the body of the stomach in children with diseases of the upper digestive tract. Materials of the XII Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterologists of Russia.
- Belmer S.V. Drug correction of acid-dependent conditions // Doctor.Ru. - 2004. - No. 6. - p. 6–9.
- Okulova G., Efimova V. Anacidic gastritis. What to do?
- Yakovenko A.V. pH-metry in clinical practice. - M.: Federal Gastroenterological Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 2001. - 35 p.
- Storonova O.A., Trukhmanov A.S. To the practitioner about long-term intragastric pH-metry. A manual for doctors / Ed. acad. RAMS, prof. V.T. Ivashkina - M.: Publishing House "Medpraktika-M", 2012. 16 p.
- Sotnikov V.N., Dubinskaya T.K., Volova A.V., Yakovlev G.A. The importance of endoscopic pH-metry in determining the acid-producing function of the stomach. A manual for doctors. M.: RMAPO. – 2005. – 35 p.
- Yurenev G.L., Partsvania-Vinogradova E.V., Andreev D.N. and others. The state of the acid-forming function of the stomach in patients with Helicobacter Pylori
-associated gastric and duodenal ulcers who have not responded to eradication therapy // Medical Council. – 2021. – No. 6. pp. 174-179. - Organ A.N. Clinical, physiological and sanological aspects of the acid-forming function of the stomach. Volume I. Clinical physiology of the acid-forming function of the stomach. Research methods. Chisinau, 2013, 424 p.
- Matveeva L.V., Usanova A.A., Mosina L.M. Physiology of the stomach: monograph / Saransk, 2012. – 100 p.
On the website, in the Literature section, there is a subsection “Acid-dependent gastrointestinal diseases”, containing articles for healthcare professionals on this topic.
Patient Materials
The GastroScan.ru website contains materials for patients on various aspects of gastroenterology:
- “Advice from doctors” in the “Patients” section of the site
- “Popular gastroenterology” in the “Literature” section
- “Popular gastroenterology” in the “Video” section
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Factors that provoke changes in acidity
Let's look at the main reasons that contribute to increased acidity:
- improper or unbalanced diet;
- excessive consumption of smoked, fried or spicy foods;
- the presence of bad habits that negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract (smoking and alcohol abuse);
- consequences of taking potent medications. First of all, this applies to analgesics, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs that irritate the gastric mucosa.
Poor nutrition is one of the possible causes of increased acidity
Since only metabolic processes can reduce the level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, this most often happens to older people, whose metabolic processes in the body slow down with age. The most common causes of low stomach acidity include the following factors:
- the development of an inflammatory process affecting the gastrointestinal tract;
- poor digestibility of food consumed;
- atrophy of the gastric mucosa;
- hormonal imbalance;
- poor metabolism (metabolism).
Inflammatory processes lead to a decrease in acidity
Most of these factors are influenced by the patient’s lifestyle, in particular his diet. Therefore, to maintain the digestive system and the entire body in a healthy state, doctors recommend reviewing your diet.
Characteristic symptoms
The following symptoms may indicate a decrease or increase in hydrochloric acid in the patient’s stomach:
- spasmodic contractions of the walls of the stomach, usually appearing between meals;
- pain in the right side of the abdomen;
- burning in the stomach area;
- sour belching that occurs after eating;
- the formation of a white or green coating on the surface of the tongue;
- the appearance of intestinal colic, which is associated with disruption of digestive processes;
- bowel dysfunction (diarrhea or constipation);
- increased gas formation;
- dulling of the hair, which is often accompanied by hair loss;
- drying of the patient's skin;
- the appearance of symptoms of anemia;
- Acne may appear on the patient's face.
Symptoms of high acidity
In the process of increasing or decreasing the level of acidity, the patient’s gastric secretion functions incorrectly, sometimes intermittently, due to which hydrochloric acid is produced in deficiency or excess. These disorders often provoke the development of additional symptoms:
- decreased immunity - both local and general;
- the appearance of signs of toxicosis;
- flatulence, bloating;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
- irritation of the mucous membrane of the larynx and pharynx, which occurs due to the cough reflex;
- sphincter irritation;
- the development of an inflammatory process affecting the patient’s respiratory system;
- disturbance of intestinal microflora.
Causes of intestinal microflora disorders
On a note! Violation of the acid balance in the stomach negatively affects metabolic processes, as a result of which the breakdown of proteins in the body occurs slowly. The patient’s intestines absorb nutrients (minerals and vitamins) poorly or not at all, which leads to a sharp decrease in the patient’s weight. In rare cases, anemia develops.
Treatment options
After a diagnostic examination, the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment. The main goal of therapy is to normalize the level of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice. For this purpose, various treatment methods are used, including taking medications, a therapeutic diet and the use of traditional medicine.
Features of treatment
Pharmacy drugs
To normalize the acidity of the stomach, the patient is prescribed drugs of different groups. Only a doctor knows which medicine is suitable in your particular case, so you should not self-medicate.
Table. Review of drugs to normalize stomach acid.
| Name of the drug, photo | Description |
| Omeprazole | A common medication used as a depressant that stabilizes the secretion of gastric juice. It has several contraindications, so be sure to read the instructions before using it. |
| Ranitidine | An antiulcer drug that belongs to the group of histamine blockers. It is often prescribed for the treatment of various gastroenterological diseases, including increased stomach acidity. Available in tablet form. |
| Gastrocepin | The action of this drug is to block cholinergic receptors, as well as to form a protective barrier on the walls of the stomach, which protects them from the negative effects of hydrochloric acid. The product belongs to the group of antacids. |
| Baking soda | The action of soda is to neutralize hydrochloric acid in the patient’s stomach, so it is often used for high acidity of the stomach. But here you need to be extremely careful, as an overdose can harm your health. Therefore, all actions must be coordinated with the attending physician. |
| Almagel | Another drug whose action is based on stabilizing the production of hydrochloric acid. The active component is aluminum hydroxide. |
To avoid serious consequences, you must coordinate all your actions with your doctor. Otherwise, you risk not only not being able to cope with the pathology that has arisen, but also triggering the emergence of other health problems.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine is often used as a complement to traditional therapy. There is still no official confirmation of the effectiveness of using traditional medicine for high or low stomach acidity, but this does not stop traditional healers.
Treatment with folk remedies
The most common folk remedies are:
- freshly squeezed aloe vera juice;
- chamomile tea;
- ginger decoction, which improves digestive processes in the body;
- liquorice root;
- mastic (you can easily find it in health food stores).
Aloe vera juice
But despite the naturalness of traditional medicine, their improper use can lead to undesirable consequences . To avoid trouble, you need to consult a doctor. First of all, this is necessary to exclude an allergic reaction to individual components of the medicine.
Nutrition
Following a special diet is another important part of treatment. As a rule, it is aimed at normalizing the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. First of all, the patient should exclude from his diet:
- strong tea and coffee;
- berries, citrus fruits;
- sweets;
- carbonated drinks;
- fatty, fried, sour and spicy foods;
- rich soups.
Products with high and low acidity
At the same time, you need to add the following products to your diet:
- boiled potatoes, cauliflower;
- steamed egg omelet;
- mineral still water;
- crumbly porridge (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal);
- vegetable puree;
- lean varieties of fish and meat;
- low-fat fermented milk products.
Medical nutrition
On a note! It is advisable to replace tea and other drinks with clean water, and doctors recommend eating in small portions, but often. This will avoid overeating, which negatively affects the stomach and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract, overloading them. Only if you follow the right diet can you count on a quick recovery.
Treatment for high acidity
With hyperacidity of the gastrointestinal tract, the risk of developing ulcers and gastritis increases. High acidity can be reduced by diet. It is good to use a decoction of flax seeds, jelly, and oatmeal in your diet. It is beneficial to drink alkaline mineral waters. Be sure to eat fish, dietary meat, cereals, eggs, dairy products, and non-sour fruits. Forget about drinking alcohol and spicy fried foods. An excellent remedy is watermelon. It reduces indicators and cleanses the body.
When the disease worsens, people need to strengthen their diet and consume light dietary soups, viscous porridges, dried bread, small amounts of boiled meat and potatoes, sweet compote and tea for seven days.
To relieve increased acidity for a short time, you can drink milk. But this method cannot be used often, as complications are possible. You will feel relief during a heartburn attack if you stop eating solid food for 24 hours. Pain can be relieved by applying a hot compress to the abdomen. The effect will be enhanced if you add 10 drops of lavender or chamomile oil to a small plate. For mild symptoms, it is allowed to do a light abdominal massage using the above-mentioned oils.
Add cucumbers, beets and celery to your diet. They perfectly neutralize discomfort and improve digestion.
Problems with the digestive process can be well treated with the help of herbs. If heartburn attacks are isolated, then they should be brewed and drunk like warm tea. If the attacks are systematic, then the same herbs should be taken in the form of stronger remedies - infusions.
Chamomile has relaxing and anti-inflammatory effects and helps normalize the gastrointestinal tract. If the symptoms are associated with excessive consumption of fatty foods or stress, then chamomile gives an excellent result.
Lemon balm is great for resolving problems, especially if they are related to nervous tension. Meadowsweet has a soothing effect on the inflamed stomach and helps reduce acidity. But you should pay attention to the fact that if you are highly sensitive to the components, then avoid using it.
Slippery elm also has an excellent effect on an irritated stomach, softens and relieves discomfort due to heartburn. The product should be taken in tablet form, or 1 tsp. dilute the powder in warm water before eating.
Diet for low acidity:
- •drink and food should only be warm;
- eat small, often, and do not allow long periods of time between meals;
- reduce the consumption of spicy and fatty foods to a minimum, eliminate sausage and smoked meats;
- exclude milk, pastries, apricots, grapes, prunes - these are foods that cause fermentation;
- Consuming sour fruit and vegetable juices will be beneficial for the functioning of the stomach;
- try to drink medicinal mineral water every day;
- On an empty stomach, drink decoctions of medicinal herbs such as rose hips, chamomile, licorice.
Prevention measures
There are many different methods to prevent increased stomach acidity. After all, it is much easier to prevent a disease than to cure it, so doctors recommend taking preventive measures. Below are step-by-step instructions, following which you will avoid many stomach problems, including impaired hydrochloric acid secretion.
Step 1: Eat right. A healthy and balanced diet will help prevent the development of many gastroenterological diseases. Make sure your diet includes healthy foods, such as beans, fish, low-fat dairy products, poultry, vegetables and fruits. At the same time, you should avoid sugar and salt in large quantities, fatty foods and other foods that increase blood cholesterol.
Healthy eating
Step 2. Lose excess weight if necessary. Excess weight, as a rule, negatively affects not only the cardiovascular system, but also the digestive system.
Lose extra pounds
Step 3. Eat small meals. This means that you need to eat in small portions, but often (4-5 times a day). This will speed up metabolic processes in the body. Experts also recommend paying attention not only to what you eat, but also to how you do it. All food should be thoroughly chewed before swallowing, otherwise the stomach will be subject to increased stress.
Eat small meals
Step 4: Exercise regularly. This will not only speed up metabolic processes, thereby improving the functioning of the digestive system, but also lose a couple of extra pounds. To do this, it is enough to engage in some kind of sport 3-4 times a week. Swimming or cycling are great options. Try to find something for yourself that you like.
Play sports
Step 5. Stop smoking and other bad habits that negatively affect the body. We are also talking about alcohol abuse, late-night snacking, overeating, etc. Following these recommendations will improve your health and, most importantly, prevent stomach problems. Read our article about what is on the left side of the abdomen.
Quitting alcohol and smoking
Signs of impaired stomach acidity in humans
High acidity is an excess of hydrochloric acid. It has a negative effect on the stomach and destroys the protective shell of its walls. With high acidity, a person can get gastritis, ulcers, etc. Symptoms:
- pain between meals;
- heartburn;
- belching;
- constipation;
- There is a tongue with a gray coating.
Low acidity levels mean improper functioning of stomach cells, which affects the development of infectious processes. Symptoms:
- smell from the mouth;
- dull pain after eating;
- upset or constipation;
- severe cramps;
- problematic skin;
- bloating;
- weight loss;
- weakness of the body.
