Gastric juice is an acidic medium due to the content of hydrochloric acid in it. This acid provides neutralization of pathogenic microorganisms that enter the body with food, and a normal process of digesting food and its further passage into the intestine. Reduced acidity in the stomach is usually observed against a background of chronic gastritis, gastroduodenitis, as well as with tumoral diseases of the stomach. At the initial stage of gastritis development, an increased production of acid by parietal cells is usually observed. But over time, due to chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa, the cells begin to die, and acid production is reduced, which leads to the formation of chronic gastritis with a decreased acidity.
Signs of reduced gastric acidity
The main symptoms characteristic of low acidity are:
- belching with putrefactive smell and smell of rotten eggs;
- incessant unpleasant, often metallic taste in the mouth;
- feeling of heaviness and pulling pain in the stomach after eating;
- stool disorders;
- presence in the stool in a significant amount of undigested food fragments;
- increased gassing and flatulence ;
- heartburn (a fairly rare symptom);
- nausea after eating.
In comparison with high acidity, pain sensations with reduced acidity of the stomach are much less pronounced, and heartburn occurs extremely rarely. But at the expense of reducing the antiseptic properties of gastric juice and the emergence of a favorable environment for some bacteria, with reduced acidity, in addition to local symptoms, often there are problems with overall health. Among them are the following:
- decreased immunity;
- propensity to allergic reactions;
- anemic conditions;
- acne eruptions;
- dry skin;
- increased brittleness of hair and nails.
Treatment of reduced gastric acidity
Increase acidity is more difficult than lowering it, and the list of drugs for treating symptoms and manifestations of reduced gastric acidity is not too great. In the treatment of gastritis with a low acidity apply:
- Drugs that stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. It should be noted that this effect can also have some antacid preparations (for example, calcium gluconate), which initially alkalinize the medium, but then lead to an increase in its secretion.
- Admission of substitution drugs (Pepsin, Pasinorm, hydrochloric acid preparations, gastric juice enzymes).
- Reception of intestinal antibiotics in the case of Helicobacter pylori infection (Amoxicillin, Doxycycline).
- Admission of vitamin complexes and preparations with folic acid for normalization of metabolism and stomach function.
- Spasmolytics (No-shpa, Drotaverin). They are used to treat the symptoms of dull pains caused by a rash of gastritis with low acidity (blunt pain, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, etc.), and to restore normal gastric motility.
From herbal preparations for the treatment of low acidity use:
- A decoction of calamus, an anise, an aloe, chokeberry or a dogrose. Have a sokovonnoe action.
- Tincture of fruits of gooseberry. Reduces discomfort in the intestines and has a mild laxative effect.
- Berries cranberries and black currants. Increase the acidity of the stomach.
- Alcoholic tincture of walnut. Helps normalize the functions of the gastrointestinal tract and has an antibacterial effect.
In addition, an essential element in the treatment of reduced gastric acidity is diet. The food should be a fraction. From it, it is necessary to exclude products that promote fermentation and increased gas production (yeast and yeast products, legumes), heavy for digestion (fatty, fried, smoked) food. The diet must include juices, fresh fruits and vegetables.