Low Stomach Acid-The Symptoms Sound Strangely Familiar
As discussed in the previous article, hydrochloric acid (HCl) is extremely important to your digestive health. When the stomach does not produce enough HCl, the condition is called HYPOCHLORHYDRIA.
Hypochlorhydria has always been a hard condition to diagnose because the symptoms are virtually the same as Hyperchlorhydria (when the stomach produces too much HCl).
The Symptoms of Hypochlorhydria are:
- GI Tract symptoms: Feeling of fullness, bloating, belching, gas, and burning immediately after a meal, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, undigested food in stool, heartburn, sore tongue, bad breath, and food allergies
- Dermal symptoms: acne, rosacea, excema, chronic dry skin, dry and brittle nails, and hair loss in women
- Systemic symptoms (from malnutrition): chronic fatigue, autoimmune diseases, anemia, and hypoglycemia
It is usually assumed by doctors that when a patient is presenting symptoms of heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD, his or her stomach is producing too much HCl and they are given medications to reduce or suppress acid production in the stomach. The problem is that these antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) will actually force your stomach to produce less and less acidand result in Hypochlohydria. That it why it is important to be careful not to take antacids and PPIs for too long.
Another paradox is that acid production that is too low can also cause heartburn, acid reflux, GERD and possibly Barrett’s Esophagus. The valve between the stomach and small intestine (called the pyloric valve) is triggered by HCl. If there is not enough HCl, the valve will not open, and the contents of the stomach will remain in the stomach. The contents can then be churned up into the esophagus, and there is still enough acid in them to cause irritation. This will result in the feeling of fullness, bloating, and the burning associated with heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD.
Another important piece of information to remember is that Hypochlorhydria can cause food allergies. When the stomach and intestines cannot completely break down food particles, these large particles are absorbed into the bloodstream. Once there, the immune systems sees them as intruders and attacks, resulting in an allergic reaction.
For more information on hypochlorhydria, please see the next articles entitled Diagnosing Hypochloryhdria and Treating Hypochlorhydria.
from → Digestion
So what can you do if you have severe GERD caused from too little stomach acid. My esophagus is enflamed and I am anemic and losing my hair. Is there a test for low acidity? My gastro Dr. says I will get cancer if I don’t take Protonics. I am 64 . Also have the beginning of a small ulcer in stomach. Can this be possible if acid is low ? Thanks
First of all, I am so sorry to hear you are going through all of this. I want to reiterate that I am not a doctor, but I found some good information on low stomach acid or hypochlorhydria. I wrote two more articles on the subject. Here are the links that might help:
Diagnosing Hypochlorhydria: http://digestionexpert.com/2010/01/diagnosing-hypochlorhydria/
Treating Hypochlorhydria: http://digestionexpert.com/2010/01/treating-hydrochlorhydria/
This is the relatively generic info I was able to find. From what I have researched, low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) can cause many of the same problems that too much stomach acid (hyperchlorhydria) can cause. The trick is diagnosing which one you have. Have you talked to your doctor about your concerns? With the severity of what you are experiencing, you really need to have your doctor on board with anything you do at this point, and they should be able to better pinpoint a diagnosis as well.
I hope that my info can be of some help. Please let me know how you are doing. I would love to hear what your doctor has to say so that I can share it with anyone else experiencing what you are.
Best of Health to you!
Hello,
My story is similar to Linda’s. I’m 56 and have been taking Somac for years. Before that it was nexium, etc.
I have Barretts and Gastritis. These started when I had to take long term steroid tablets for another problem. I have a multitude of food intolerances, and auto-immune conditions.
Strangely (I think) my GP sent me to a chiropractor for my joint problems and he said I had low stomach acid being made worse by the Somac. The Gastroenterologist says i have to take the Somac for life.
Now, if i have to take it, that’s fine, but if it’s low acid???? I also have Hashimotos and inflammatory arthritis which both apparently are more common in low stomach acid.
Any ideas?
I am so sad to hear so many people experiencing these issues. I posted a new article yesterday that discusses a lot of the conditions that can be associated with Hypochlorhydria. So yes, in your case I would say it is definitely worth looking into with your doctor. I hope that you can find some answers.
http://digestionexpert.com/2012/01/low-stomach-acid-is-worth-discussing/