🎓 🤲🏽 🤥 High acidity: symptoms, treatment, diet 🧘🏾 🏗️ 🧕

Symptoms of increased acidity of the stomach are present with an increased content of hydrochloric acid in the digestive system and indicate a violation of its work in the human body. Some people do not notice them, which can lead to the development of chronic diseases. Information on this problem will help to identify the disease in time and take measures for its treatment.

Acidity of the stomach: norm and deviations

Gastric juice usually has an acid reaction, since its component is hydrochloric acid. Thanks to such an aggressive environment, the digestive organs neutralize the viruses and bacteria that enter them along with the food, and then digest it.

The stomach belongs to the most vulnerable organs of the person, where the most complex processes take place: mixing of food, its chemical breakdown and absorption of nutrients through the walls of the mucosa. Violation of these important processes threatens not only poor health, but also a deterioration in the general condition due to a lack of proteins, fats, vitamins and other components necessary for the body.

In a calm state with an empty stomach, the amount of acid is minimal, after the receipt of food, the production of gastric juice begins, which in volume can exceed 1.5 liters. The norm of acidity in the stomach corresponds to 1.5-2.5 pH (scale of a hydrogen indicator). When the value exceeds 7, it means increased acidity, lower - alkaline environment.

Symptoms of increased and low acidity of the stomach can indicate diseases of the digestive system. Such problems arise due to the imbalance in the production of hydrochloric acid and the processes of its neutralization, less often - due to infection in the body.

Causes of acid production disturbance

Many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are associated with increased acidity of the stomach, the symptoms of which appear almost immediately or after a certain time after a meal. Provoking factors that increase the pH level in the stomach can be divided into external and internal.

External causes are:

improper nutrition, abuse of fried, smoked products, coffee and alcohol, fast food, eating too hot food;
food intake is carried out irregularly, which provokes an increase in the volume of hydrochloric acid, a person does not have time to eat on time (malnutrition or overeating);
the result of prolonged use of medications that negatively affect the secretion of gastric juice (prednisone, analgin, diclofenac and paracetamol);
stress and nervous disorders;
frequent smoking.

Internal factors that can also cause negative symptoms of high acidity:

hereditary diseases;
helminthic invasions that provoke disturbances in the digestive tract;
Helicobacter pylori infection, whose vital activity contributes to the production of acid (transmitted with saliva, for example, with a kiss between people);
infectious diseases;
deficiency in the body of vitamins and other beneficial trace elements.

Hyperacidity: signs and symptoms

With such a disease, the following symptoms appear:

sour or bitter belching that occurs during or after a meal;
heartburn, which occurs due to the release of hydrochloric acid into the esophagus, is accompanied by a burning sensation in the larynx and in the sternum, is acute when the patient takes a horizontal position after eating;
weight loss;
pain and a feeling of heaviness in the region of the stomach, liver, esophagus, which intensify after consumption of acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, etc.);
hunger pain may occur in the absence of food, which is associated with the process of digestion of the mucous membrane or the inner layer of the stomach;
diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, nausea, or vomiting;
the general condition of the patient worsens: irritability, drowsiness or insomnia appears, poor appetite, decreased performance;
mouthfeel of copper;
white or gray-yellow plaque on the tongue.

It should be borne in mind that changes in acidity are not seasonal, and at an early stage are generally not noticeable.

In addition, some symptoms of low acidity may be similar in sensations, although there are distinguishing features:

unpleasant odor from the oral cavity, reminiscent of rotten eggs;
regular stool disorders (constipation or diarrhea) that occur after ingestion of pathogenic bacteria that cannot be neutralized due to low acidity;
pain in the intestine, flatulence, the cause of which is a low level of intestinal enzymes (pepsin, etc.) and the presence of a fermentation process;
brittle hair and nails, dry skin and acne, the appearance of jammed corners in the mouth, anemia due to poor absorption of vitamins and minerals;
particles of undigested food residues are present in the feces.

All of these symptoms can occur with various diseases of the stomach, therefore, for an accurate diagnosis of "high acidity" of the body, the symptoms can be an occasion for examination by a gastroenterologist and clarification of the disease.

The list of diseases of the digestive tract, acid-dependent

Excessive amounts of hydrochloric acid in the stomach can cause and is associated with various diseases of the digestive system. Symptoms of high acidity are inherent in such diseases:

gastritis, manifested by chronic alterations in the mucous membrane of the digestive system, when healthy tissues become fibrous, as a result of which the functioning of the entire system occurs, such a disease with insufficient treatment and lack of diet can lead to serious consequences;
gastric ulcer - most often a consequence of chronic gastritis, it is characterized by a high pH level of gastric juice and other negative factors;
gastroesophagic reflux disease - accompanied by periodic release of acid and part of undigested food into the esophagus;
gastric dyspepsia - is accompanied by a violation of the normal process of digestion of food and its entry into the intestines, the disease often manifests itself in the acute stage, however, if the diet is not followed, it can become chronic;
gastroduodenopathy and gastropathy are diseases that occur after prolonged use of strong drugs or against the background of smoking and alcoholism.

All of these acid-dependent diseases are widespread and are leading among diseases of the digestive system. Therefore, if the acidity of the stomach is increased, symptoms may indicate the presence of any of the above diseases. Only a specialist gastroenterologist, after a thorough examination, analysis and all diagnostic procedures, will be able to make an accurate medical report and then prescribe the correct therapy.

Diagnostics

When the patient knows what symptoms with increased acidity exist, and can compare with his sensations, then at home, you can check the pH level only experimentally with baking soda: 1 tsp. add to warm water and take on an empty stomach. Next, you should listen to the reaction of your body: the appearance of belching indicates a high level of acid. However, this will not be the exact result, because the general condition, the presence of food or alcohol in the stomach can also affect.

Given the above symptoms, increased and decreased acidity can be diagnosed only by examining the digestive tract on an outpatient basis.

To make a correct diagnosis, gastroenterological examinations are carried out:

gastroduodenoscopy - a study using a probe with a camera, through which a specialist examines the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum; during the procedure, clarification of the pH level of the stomach is made, tissue biopsy if necessary, the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection is checked, a fence can be carried out for studies on lamblia, fungus, worm eggs;
daily pH-metry - done with acidogastromeres within 24 hours;
analyzes of feces, urine and clarification of the level of acidity by staining it with ion-exchange resins;
sounding of the digestive organs with aspiration of the contents of the stomach and laboratory analysis of the data.

Only after a thorough examination, the gastroenterologist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment, which will improve the patient's condition and avoid complications of the disease.

Gastritis of the stomach and its symptoms

According to statistics, signs of gastritis or inflammation in the mucous membrane of the stomach are observed in 90% of people, in some - occasionally, in others - in a chronic form. Elderly people are prone to various types of this disease in 70-90% of cases.

In patients with gastritis, a violation of the digestive system is observed, as well as pain and other unpleasant symptoms of increased acidity, which leads to a negative effect on the general condition of the body: loss of strength, nervousness, etc.

There are 2 forms of the disease: acute and chronic, which may be associated with abnormalities in the production of hydrochloric acid in the process of digesting food.

Acute gastritis is characterized by damage to the gastric mucosa by acid or alkalis, which can result in death. In the chronic form, the symptoms of gastritis with high and low acidity are manifested in the form of pain in the digestive tract: belching, heartburn, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, bad smell from the oral cavity.

In this disease, the mucous membrane or the inner wall of the stomach is most often damaged, where the gastric juice and protective mucus necessary for the digestion of food are produced. The appearance of heartburn is recorded precisely because of changes in the acid-base balance in various sections of the gastrointestinal tract.

In chronic gastritis, the gastric mucosa atrophies, the glands function poorly, which is why atypical ones form instead of healthy cells. Due to imbalance and restoration of the mucosa, irreversible changes can occur that lead to ulcers and tumors in the stomach.

Since this disease has many varieties, the correct diagnosis can only be made by a gastroenterologist after examination and delivery of tests by the patient.

Acidity: Symptoms and Treatment

Very often, the negative signs of high acidity are the result of overeating, plentiful holiday, short-term overcooling of the body, improper nutrition of acidic or smoked foods. In this situation, the acute period of the disease quickly passes.

However, in the chronic production of a large volume of hydrochloric acid, after examination and diagnosis, the doctor draws up a certain treatment regimen, which includes:

adherence to a special diet;
taking medications;
the use of alternative methods of treatment.

Proper nutrition

A diet with increased acidity, the symptoms of which indicate the presence of any of the forms (acute or chronic), is the main component. Proper nutrition of the patient helps to overcome exacerbation and ease the course of the disease. In the acute phase of the disease, it is recommended not to eat solid food, but only in the form of gruel or creamy consistency.

Medicines

After the diagnosis is clarified with pronounced symptoms of increased acidity, the treatment is prescribed by a gastroenterologist, the goal of therapy is to maintain a normal level of acid in the digestive tract.

When bacteria are detected, Helicobacter pylori is prescribed eradication therapy, i.e. antibiotics, antacids and proton pump blockers.

For this, several types of drugs are used:

blockers of histamine H2 receptors - help reduce acid secretion due to the influence of histamine and parietal cells, reduce pepsin production, improve the formation of a protective layer of mucus, blood supply to the digestive tract and its functioning;
antacids - symptomatic drugs to reduce pain and heartburn due to the properties of enveloping and neutralizing;
proton pump inhibitors - block the mechanism of transfer of hydrogen ions instead of potassium, due to which there is an addition to chlorine;

With strict adherence to the diet, treatment of increased acidity of the stomach, the symptoms of which are already confirmed by tests and examination by a doctor, is carried out with the following medications:

Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Konralok - blockers to reduce the secretion of gastric juice.
Nizatidine is a histamine receptor blocker.
"Gastroceptin" - helps to reduce the production of hydrochloric acid and the formation of a protective film on the gastric mucosa.
"Almagel", "Fosfalugel", "Maalox" - are used during exacerbation to neutralize the produced acid.
"Domidon", "Motilium" - help relieve heartburn and belching.
"Rutacid" - the action of the drug is based on the release of aluminum and magnesium ions, which helps to neutralize acid.
"Vicalin" - an antispasmodic that promotes the creation of a protective film on the walls of the stomach, has a laxative property.
"Gaviscon" - its action is aimed at eliminating digestive reflux.

Folk methods

During therapy, many patients prefer not to use medicines, but to manage only with a diet and drink herbal teas, which often helps to cope with an exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases. Given the negative symptoms of increased acidity of the stomach, folk remedies for its treatment are selected in the form of herbal decoctions and infusions with astringent or enveloping properties that give a positive effect and are used as additional therapy.

This effect is possessed by calendula, Ivan tea, chamomile, centaury, burdock, which can be taken separately or as part of the fees:

decoction of Ivan tea is made from 10 g of grass per 1 tbsp. boiling water, hold in a water bath for 15 minutes; take ½ tbsp. l before eating 3 p. in a day;
chamomile infusion: 1 tbsp. l flowers pour 1 tbsp. boiling water, insist 12 hours; drink ½ tbsp. in 20 minutes before meals, you can use the sold filter bags, brew them for 15 minutes;
peppermint infusion: 10 g of dry leaves pour 100 g of boiling water overnight; drink 1 tbsp. a spoon;
decoction of flax seeds: 1 tsp. on ½ tbsp. boiling water;
vegetable juices (potatoes, carrots, cabbage) - taken on an empty stomach 3 r. 1 glass per day, course - 1 month;
ginger or herbal tea with honey - will help neutralize a single increase in acidity.

Against the background of a proper diet, the use of medications and treatment with folk remedies for high acidity, the symptoms of the manifestation of the disease are gradually being eliminated.

High acidity: symptoms, treatment, diet