Increased acidity of the stomach - symptoms

In a healthy person, the amount of hydrochloric acid (HCL) contained in gastric juice is a constant. However, against the background of gastrointestinal diseases of inflammatory nature, an increased or decreased acidity of the stomach may occur, in which excess or deficiency of HCL is observed, respectively.

Causes of increased acidity of the stomach

For the formation of acid in the stomach meet special cells, which are called parietal. If the mucosa becomes inflamed, they begin to produce too much HCl, aggravating the symptoms of gastritis (actually, inflammation of the stomach).

To the development of increased acidity of the stomach, the signs of which are discussed below, the following factors lead:

Also, the cause of excessive secretion of HCl may be a hereditary predisposition.

How is the increased acidity of the stomach?

Among the main signs signaling an increased concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach:

If there is an increased acidity, the stomach hurts - "under the spoonful" whines and pulls. These sensations come 1 to 2 hours after eating. An empty stomach can also get sick. The patient has diarrhea or constipation.

How to determine the increased acidity of the stomach?

The disorders described above are not exceptional signs of gastritis - the same symptoms can accompany an increased gastric acidity in ulceration or erosion. The diagnosis can be made only by a doctor on the basis of fibrogastroscopy. The procedure involves swallowing the probe, which is equipped with special sensors and video equipment. This makes it possible to examine the surface of the mucosa.

Measure the acidity in the stomach by using the following methods:

  1. Fractional sounding - the patient swallows a thin tube through which gastric juice is sucked for further research in the laboratory (mixed, from all departments that lubricates the result).
  2. Ion-exchange resins - tablets "Acidotest", "Gastrotest", etc. Accepted by the patient after a morning trip to the toilet; the next two portions of urine are evaluated by the color criterion, which makes it possible to determine the level of acidity, although very approximately.
  3. Staining of the stomach wall through the endoscope.
  4. Intragastric pH-metry - allows to measure the concentration of HCl directly in the stomach.

Identification of Helicobacter pylori

Studying the causes of increased acidity of the stomach, the scientists found out that it is the Helicobacter pylori bacterium that causes gastritis, gastroduodenitis, ulcers and even oncology.

The microbe enters the body through infected saliva and, unlike other of its counterparts, feels great in the gastric juice. Determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori either by examining a biopsy specimen from endoscopy or by blood analysis.

Another method is a breath test, during which the patient breathes into a special tube, then drinks the juice with the indicator dissolved in it and after half an hour again breathes into the tube.