Hydrochloric acid in the human body. Hydrochloric acid of the stomach. Gastritis with high acidity

Some people are well aware of the problem of impaired stomach acid balance. Increased acidity leads to unpleasant sensations such as heartburn, abdominal pain, a feeling of heaviness and other discomfort. The balance of acidity in the body itself is not disturbed - there are always certain reasons.

Why does stomach acidity occur?

Before considering the reasons for increased acidity in the stomach, let's figure out what gastric juice is. It is produced by cells in the lining of the stomach and is essential for maintaining digestive processes that ensure the absorption of nutrients. The acid concentration in this juice is the most important component of the normal functioning of the stomach. Stomach acidity increases for the following reasons:

Wrong diet.

Increased acidity in the stomach can be caused by excessive consumption of fatty and spicy foods, alcoholic drinks, irregular meals in small portions, or consumption of too much food at one time.

Inappropriate chewing of food.

If food is consumed too quickly, unchewed pieces enter the human stomach, the digestion process of which can be very difficult. The stomach has to produce more gastric juice, resulting in an imbalance in the acid balance.

Medicines.

Long-term use of certain pharmaceutical drugs that have a negative effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach can increase acidity. These medications include: aspirin; paracetamol; analgin; hormonal drugs.

Stress.

Emotional overload and excessive stress can lead to various health problems, in particular with the gastrointestinal tract. In stressful situations, people often forget to eat or drink alcohol, which has a detrimental effect on the stomach lining.

Smoking.

Tobacco smoke entering the body disrupts the normal functioning of the stomach. Often, heavy smokers complain of problems in the digestive system. Smoking on an empty stomach causes especially severe harm, since toxic substances have the strongest effect on the mucous membranes, increasing the secretion of gastric juice and increasing its acidity level.

Helicobacter.

This bacterium, which was discovered relatively recently, causes diseases such as gastritis and peptic ulcers. It is able to live in the stomach, as it easily adapts to these conditions. When Helicobacter enters the human body, it begins to produce enzymes that damage the gastric mucosa and disrupt the acid balance.

Infections.

After infectious diseases, such as the common flu, complications may occur that affect the gastric mucosa. This disrupts the production of gastric juice and changes its acidity.

Symptoms of high acidity

Among the key signs of increased acidity in the stomach are severe painful sensations in the pit of the stomach. The pain is dull, aching and nagging in nature, and can occur 2 hours after eating. Many people in such situations begin to eat more liquid foods and cereals. A proper diet helps to significantly reduce pain.

The second main symptom is heartburn, which is a strong burning sensation that travels up the esophagus. This is a sign that hydrochloric acid has entered the esophagus. Sometimes people experience the disease without obvious reasons, but who consume products such as:

tomato or orange juice;
fatty foods;
certain types of mineral water;
smoked meats with spices, etc.

In this case, drinking Borjomi water can alleviate the condition. Some people use a solution of regular baking soda or unroasted sunflower seeds. You should not abuse alkaline solutions and drinks, as they negatively affect the walls of the esophagus and stomach as a whole. Even a peptic ulcer may develop, and the risk of bleeding, the development of peritonitis and other diseases requiring surgical treatment increases.

Other common symptoms of impaired acidity include:

sour belching after eating;
constipation;
nausea or vomiting after eating (associated with increased levels of hydrochloric acid);
the appearance of a white coating on the tongue;
intestinal colic.

Video

How to determine the level of acidity in the stomach?

The acid balance affects the gastrointestinal tract, so it is important to periodically check the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice. Acidity can be normal, low or high, and the following methods are used to check it:

examination by probing method;
examination using an acid test;
tracking the body's reactions to different foods.

Let us consider these methods for determining stomach acidity in more detail.

Probing

The probing examination method involves the use of special probes. One of them (thin) is necessary to study the functioning of the digestive organs and determine their acid balance. There is no doubt about the accuracy of the readings.

Data obtained using another probe (thick) causes disagreement among doctors. The essence of the technique is to study the quality of digestive processes. The procedure is performed in the morning, and the day before dinner the patient should eat a portion of buckwheat or rice with raisins.

True, some experts believe that this method gives inaccurate results of studying the state of health of the body when taking into account the characteristics of secretion.

The normal concentration of hydrochloric acid in the juice produced by the stomach is considered to be 0.4-0.5 percent. The normal acid-base balance is 1.5-2 pH with a minimum of 0.83 and a maximum of 8.3 pH.

Acidotest

The acid test is another examination technique for determining acidity in the stomach without swallowing the probe. It involves taking a complex of drugs in the form of tablets and dragees. Before the procedure, the patient must empty his bladder, after which he is given certain tablets. An hour later, the first portion of urine is taken and the patient is given a pill. An hour and a half later, doctors take a second portion of urine. Both portions are checked using the colorimetric scale that comes with the test.

The examination method allows you to determine an indirect picture of the acid balance in the stomach. It has errors in the accuracy of the results obtained, so these days it is used infrequently, mainly to confirm the diagnosis.

Testing acidity at home

You can find out the acidity of your stomach at home. The acid balance test is simple: in the morning on an empty stomach you need to drink a glass of freshly squeezed apple juice, choosing fruits with a slight sourness. After this, observe the state of your body:

The occurrence of pain in the area under the sternum, a burning sensation in the esophagus, a metallic taste in the mouth - all these are signs of an increased level of acidity.
The absence of discomfort indicates a normal acid balance.

When you have a desire to drink or eat something else sour, the acidity is reduced.

Treatment of stomach with high acidity

There are various drugs to effectively normalize the acid balance in the stomach. Only an experienced gastroenterologist can prescribe the correct and appropriate medications for you after examination and some research. To slow down the secretion of hydrochloric acid, the following medications are suitable to reduce stomach acidity:

Rinatidine, Famotidine and Kvamatel. These are all antihistamine medications that are affordable but not suitable for long-term treatment due to their ability to affect hormone production in the body.
Nolpaza, Omeprazole, Controloc. Helps reduce the intensity of hydrochloric acid secretion by the stomach.
Motilium and Domidon stimulate the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines.
Increased acidity is treated with antacid drugs that neutralize acid. These include Almagel, Maalox and Phosphalugel, which are based on chalk, soda, kaolin, magnesia and other substances.

In the long term, successful treatment requires compliance.

Folk remedies for high stomach acidity

To combat high stomach acidity, you can use various traditional methods, among which the most effective and popular are the following:

Freshly squeezed carrot juice. Drinking one glass of drink per day significantly reduces the acid content in gastric juice.
Potato juice. The drink should be drunk in small quantities on an empty stomach or in the evening before bed. It is important to consume only freshly prepared juice, as it cannot be stored.
Mineral water is good for reducing stomach acidity. For a month before meals, drink half a glass of mineral water. If you feel the usual discomfort after eating, drink another glass.
Plums. To reduce the level of acidity in the stomach, you need to consume 200 g of fresh plums per day. You can also drink plum juice.
Honey. Half a liter of warm water should be diluted with 100 g of bee honey. The mixture should be taken in a small amount before meals. The course of treatment lasts from a couple of months. The product is useful for people with gastritis and peptic ulcers.
Pumpkin. You can boil or bake fresh pumpkin and eat it regularly, gradually increasing the dose from 30 to 150 g. To achieve the best result, you should eat pumpkin half an hour before the main meal.

Some people use regular baking soda to reduce stomach acid. It is important to note that using this remedy too often can only make things worse and have the opposite effect. We recommend using soda to normalize the acid balance in emergency situations when there are no other remedies at hand.

Reducing stomach acidity with herbs

In addition to the above remedies, medicinal herbs that affect the composition of gastric juice can be used to reduce acidity in the stomach. For example, decoctions and tinctures of the following herbs help alleviate the condition of an imbalanced acid balance:

calendula;
coltsfoot;
plantain;
dandelion;
mint;
blooming Sally;
chamomile, etc.

To prepare St. John's wort infusion you will need 6 tbsp. herbs and a couple of glasses of boiling water. The product must be infused for 15 minutes, after which it should be strained and taken orally 3 times a day before meals, a couple of tablespoons.

Another remedy can be made by mixing equal parts of chamomile, fennel fruit, peppermint and licorice root. 2 tbsp. the mixture of these herbs must be poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water and left to infuse for several hours, and then strain. Drink 1/3 glass three times a day, an hour after meals.

Mix 3 parts each of St. John's wort, yarrow and chamomile with one part celandine. Pour a glass of boiling water over 1 tbsp. the resulting mixture and leave to infuse for one hour under the lid. Strain and take half an hour before meals, 1/3 cup three times a day.

An increased level of acidity in the stomach is not the most dangerous diagnosis, but it does cause some discomfort. Try to normalize the acid balance as soon as possible in order to prevent serious consequences that require long and complex treatment.

Gastric juice is a solution containing several digestive enzymes, a solution of hydrochloric acid and mucus. It is produced by the inner walls of the stomach, penetrated by many glands. The work of their constituent cells is aimed at maintaining a certain level of secretion, creating an acidic environment that facilitates the breakdown of nutrients. It is very important that all the “parts” of this mechanism work harmoniously.

What is gastric juice?

The secretion of the glands located in the gastric mucosa is a clear, colorless, odorless liquid with flakes of mucus. The value of its acidity is characterized by its hydrogen index (pH). Measurements show that the pH in the presence of food is 1.6-2, that is, the liquid in the stomach is highly acidic. The lack of nutrients leads to alkalization of the contents due to bicarbonates to pH = 8 (the maximum possible value). A number of stomach diseases are accompanied by an increase in acidity to values of 1-0.9.

The digestive juice secreted by the glands is complex in composition. The most important components - hydrochloric acid, gastric juice enzymes and mucus - are produced by different cells of the inner lining of the organ. In addition to the compounds listed above, the liquid contains the hormone gastrin, other molecules of organic compounds, as well as minerals. The stomach of an adult produces an average of 2 liters of digestive juice.

What is the role of pepsin and lipase?

Gastric juice enzymes function as surface-active catalysts for chemical reactions. With the participation of these compounds, complex reactions occur, as a result of which macromolecules of nutrients disintegrate. Pepsin is an enzyme that hydrolyzes proteins into oligopeptides. Another proteolytic enzyme of gastric juice is gastrixin. It has been proven that there are different forms of pepsin that “adapt” to the structural features of different protein macromolecules.

Albumin and globulins are well digested by gastric juice; connective tissue proteins are less subject to hydrolysis. The composition of gastric juice is not too rich in lipases. A small amount of an enzyme that breaks down milk fats is produced by the pyloric glands. Products of lipid hydrolysis, the two main components of their macromolecules are glycerol and fatty acids.

Hydrochloric acid in the stomach

In the parietal cell elements of the fundic glands, gastric acid is produced - hydrochloric acid (HCl). The concentration of this substance is 160 millimoles per liter.

The role of HCl in digestion:

It liquefies the substances that form the food bolus and prepares it for hydrolysis.
Creates an acidic environment in which gastric juice enzymes are more active.
Acts as an antiseptic and disinfects gastric juice.
Activates hormones and pancreatic enzymes.
Maintains the required pH value.

Gastric acidity

In solutions of hydrochloric acid there are not molecules of the substance, but ions H + and Cl -. The acidic properties of any compound are due to the presence of hydrogen protons, while the alkaline properties are due to the presence of hydroxyl groups. Usually in gastric juice the concentration of H + ions reaches about 0.4-0.5%.

Acidity is a very important characteristic of gastric juice. The rate of its release and properties are different, which was proven 125 years ago in the experiments of the Russian physiologist I.P. Pavlov. The secretion of juice by the stomach occurs in connection with food intake, at the sight of foods, their smells, and the mention of dishes.

An unpleasant taste can slow down and completely stop the secretion of digestive fluid. The acidity of gastric juice increases or decreases in certain diseases of the stomach, gall bladder and liver. This indicator is also influenced by a person’s experiences and nervous shocks. A decrease or increase in gastric secretory activity may be accompanied by pain in the upper abdomen.

The role of mucous substances

Mucus is produced by accessory surface cells of the stomach walls.
The role of this component of digestive juice is to neutralize the acidic contents, protect the lining of the digestive organ from the destructive effects of pepsin and hydrogen ions from hydrochloric acid. The mucous substance makes the gastric juice more viscous, it better envelops the food bolus. Other properties of mucus:

contains bicarbonates, which impart an alkaline reaction;
envelops the mucous wall of the stomach;
has digestive properties;
regulates acidity.

Neutralization of sour taste and caustic properties of gastric contents

The composition of gastric juice includes bicarbonate anions HCO 3 -. They are released as a result of the work of the surface cells of the digestive glands. Neutralization of acidic contents occurs according to the equation: H + + HCO 3 - = CO 2 + H 2 O.

Bicarbonates bind hydrogen ions at the surface of the gastric mucosa, as well as at the walls of the duodenum. The concentration of HCO 3 - in gastric contents is maintained at 45 millimoles per liter.

"Internal factor"

A special role in the metabolism of vitamin B 12 belongs to one of the components of gastric juice - Castle factor. This enzyme activates cobalamins in food, which is necessary for absorption by the walls of the small intestine. The blood is saturated with cyanocobalamin and other forms of vitamin B12, transporting biologically active substances to the bone marrow, where red blood cells are formed.

Features of digestion in the stomach

The breakdown of nutrients begins in the oral cavity, where, under the action of amylase and maltase, polysaccharide molecules, in particular starch, break down into dextrins. Next, the food bolus passes through the esophagus and enters the stomach. The digestive juice secreted by its walls helps digest about 35-40% of carbohydrates. The action of salivary enzymes, active in an alkaline environment, ceases due to the acidic reaction of the contents. When this well-functioning mechanism is disrupted, conditions and diseases arise, many of which are accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and pain in the stomach, belching, and heartburn.

Digestion is the destruction of macromolecules of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (hydrolysis). The change in nutrients in the stomach occurs over about 5 hours. The mechanical processing of food that began in the oral cavity and its dilution by gastric juice continues. Proteins are denatured, making further digestion easier.

Strengthening the secretory function of the stomach

Increased gastric juice can inactivate some enzymes, because any system or process occurs only under certain conditions. Hypersecretion is accompanied by both increased juice secretion and increased acidity. These phenomena are provoked by spicy seasonings, certain foods, and alcoholic drinks. Prolonged nervous tension and strong emotions also provoke irritable stomach syndrome. Secretion increases in many diseases of the digestive system, in particular in patients with gastritis and peptic ulcers.

The most common symptoms of high levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach are heartburn and vomiting. Normalization of secretory function occurs by following a diet and taking special medications (Almagel, Ranitidine, Gistak and other medications). Less common is reduced production of digestive juice, which may be associated with hypovitaminosis, infections, and damage to the walls of the stomach.

Increased stomach acidity has a negative effect on digestive processes and the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, causing discomfort. Accompanies some diseases of the digestive system, including gastritis and peptic ulcers.

The acidity of the stomach, i.e., the pH of gastric juice, is determined by the concentration of hydrochloric acid contained in it, produced by parietal cells. Hydrochloric acid is necessary for the normal digestion process. Its main functions:

imparts antibacterial properties to gastric juice;
activates the action of digestive enzymes of gastric juice;
denatures proteins and also promotes their swelling;
stimulates the secretory activity of the pancreas;
regulates the evacuation function of the stomach.

Causes

The most common cause of increased stomach acidity is a nutritional factor, i.e., improper, irrational nutrition. Spicy, salty, fatty foods, and alcoholic drinks have an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa, as a result of which the parietal cells begin to secrete hydrochloric acid in greater quantities than required. The nutritional factor also includes too rapid absorption of food. In this case, a poorly chewed bolus of food enters the stomach, not sufficiently moistened with saliva, containing too large particles. To digest it, a larger amount of gastric juice is required, and therefore hydrochloric acid, which leads to increased acid production, and therefore to an increase in the acidity of gastric juice.

An increased concentration of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice can cause damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.

Other causes of increased stomach acidity may include:

Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or corticosteroids, since they have an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa.
Chronic stress. In itself, it does not have a negative effect on the state of the digestive system, however, being in a depressed state, a person stops eating properly, often smokes, drinks alcohol, which negatively affects the gastric mucosa.
Smoking. Nicotine has a stimulating effect on parietal cells, resulting in an increase in stomach acidity.
Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. This is a unique microorganism that can survive in an acidic environment. Once in the stomach, bacteria produce urease, which has an irritating effect on its walls. In an effort to destroy these bacteria, stomach cells intensively synthesize hydrochloric acid and pepsin.

Symptoms of high stomach acidity

The main symptoms of increased stomach acidity are epigastric pain and heartburn. The pain is nagging, aching and dull in nature, in most cases it occurs 1.5-2 hours after eating. Heartburn develops as a result of gastric juice entering the esophagus. Often its appearance is provoked by eating foods that increase stomach acidity:

orange or tomato juice;
spicy and/or fatty foods;
smoked meats;
some types of mineral water.

Other symptoms of high stomach acidity include:

nausea, and in some cases vomiting, occurring 15-20 minutes after eating;
belching sour;
frequent intestinal colic;
the appearance of a white-gray coating on the tongue.

Diagnostics

To determine the acidity of gastric juice in clinical practice, the following methods are used:

Intragastric pH-metry. Using a special device, the acidity of the stomach is determined in its various parts. The method allows for both short-term and daily pH measurements.
Fractional intubation of the stomach. The procedure is performed on an empty stomach. A thick probe is inserted into the patient's stomach through the mouth, and then the gastric contents are sucked out using a Janet syringe at certain intervals. This technique allows you to evaluate the characteristics of the secretory function of the stomach, as well as carry out a laboratory study of gastric juice with determination of its pH. However, fractional intubation cannot provide accurate results, since gastric juice is mixed from different zones, and in addition, the probe itself irritates the gastric mucosa. Normally, the content of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice should be 0.4–0.5%.
Gastrotest, or acidotest. Before the study begins, the patient completely empties the bladder, after which he takes special medications orally. After a certain period of time, the patient urinates again and the acidity of the gastric juice is assessed based on the degree of staining of the urine. The method is imperfect, so it is rarely used today.

You can detect increased acidity of gastric juice at home. To do this, you should drink a glass of freshly squeezed apple juice on an empty stomach, which does not contain any additives. If after some time a burning sensation appears behind the sternum, a feeling of heaviness or pain in the epigastric region, then the acidity is most likely increased.

Increased stomach acidity accompanies some diseases of the digestive system, including gastritis and peptic ulcers.

Treatment of high stomach acidity

Drug treatment of high gastric acidity is carried out with drugs from the following pharmacological groups:

proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole, Pantoprozole, Nolpaza) – reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid by the parietal cells of the stomach by blocking H + /K + -ATPase;
H2-histamine receptor blockers (Ranitidine, Cimetidine) - block histamine receptors, thereby reducing the secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsin;
antacids (Phosphalugel, Almagel, Rennie, Gastal) – neutralize hydrochloric acid in gastric juice, thereby eliminating heartburn, pain and discomfort;
blockers of M1-cholinergic receptors, which have a predominant effect on stomach receptors (Gastrocepin) - inhibit the secretion of pepsin and hydrochloric acid, have a gastroprotective effect;
antibacterial drugs - therapy for helicobacteriosis.

To prevent relapses, it is extremely important to adhere to proper nutrition for a long time, or even better, for life.

In case of severe pain, antispasmodics (Papaverine, No-shpa), as well as local anesthetics orally (novocaine solution, tablets with anesthesin) are prescribed.

Some patients take a solution of baking soda orally to eliminate symptoms of increased stomach acidity. Soda enters into a neutralization reaction with hydrochloric acid, as a result of which pain in the abdominal area and heartburn quickly disappear. But such treatment of increased stomach acidity subsequently leads to even greater secretion of hydrochloric acid by parietal cells. As a result of a chemical reaction between baking soda and hydrochloric acid, table salt and carbonic acid are formed, which is an unstable chemical compound that easily breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide irritates the gastric mucosa, thereby causing increased secretion of hydrochloric acid. As a result, there is an even greater increase in stomach acidity. This phenomenon in medicine is called “acid rebound”.

Diet for high stomach acidity

Modern pharmacological treatment of high stomach acidity allows you to quickly eliminate the patient’s complaints and improve his condition. However, in most cases, after some time, patients again begin to suffer from epigastric pain and heartburn. To prevent relapses, it is extremely important to adhere to proper nutrition for a long time, or even better, for life. The basic rules of the diet for high stomach acidity are:

eating 5-6 times a day in small portions (so-called fractional meals);
providing mechanical and chemical sparing of the stomach;
a diet completely balanced in the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and microelements.

For patients suffering from diseases accompanied by high acidity of gastric juice, diet No. 1 according to Pevzner has been developed, corresponding to the listed principles. During a period of sharp exacerbation of the disease, patients are prescribed diet No. 1a for 6-8 days: dishes are prepared only by stewing or boiling, they are pureed and served warm, foods that can irritate the gastric mucosa and increase the secretion of hydrochloric acid are excluded:

raw vegetables, berries and fruits;
alcohol, carbonated drinks, strong tea, cocoa, coffee;
chocolate;
herbs, spices, sauces;
fermented milk products (including cheese);
bakery products.

Spicy, salty, fatty foods, and alcoholic drinks have an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa, which can result in increased stomach acidity.

During the period of mild exacerbation, as well as when the intensity of clinical manifestations of exacerbation decreases, diet No. 1 is recommended. With it, dishes are prepared by stewing, boiling, steaming and baking in the oven (without forming a crust). Well-cooked meat or fish can be served in portions; all other dishes should have a mushy consistency. The diet limits foods that have a stimulating effect on the gastric mucosa, such as broths. Completely excluded:

herbs and spices;
chocolate, ice cream;
sour and unripe berries, fruits;
cabbage, onions, turnips, rutabaga, cucumbers, radishes, sorrel, spinach;
mushrooms;
legumes;
marinades and pickles;
corn, pearl barley, barley, millet cereals;
fried or hard-boiled eggs;
sharp and salty cheeses;
fatty fish;
fatty meats;
fresh and/or rye bread.

Treatment of high stomach acidity with traditional methods

As with any other pathology, treatment for high stomach acidity should be prescribed by a doctor. In agreement with him, the treatment regimen can be supplemented with some folk remedies, for example:

carrot juice;
freshly squeezed juice from red potato tubers;
water infusion of chaga (birch mushroom);
water infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, peppermint, St. John's wort, centaury).

Prevention

Prevention of the development of high stomach acidity should be based, first of all, on organizing proper, balanced nutrition:

eating small portions of food;
chewing food thoroughly;
inclusion in the diet of foods rich in plant fibers, vitamins, microelements, and protein;
limiting fatty and spicy foods;
refusal to eat fast food, snacks, so-called junk food;
giving up alcoholic beverages and smoking.

Equally important in the prevention of high stomach acidity is the correct lifestyle:

avoidance of stressful situations;
regular exercise;
compliance with the optimal work and rest regime.

It is also necessary to promptly treat infectious diseases, since they can lead to disruption of the secretory activity of cells in the gastric mucosa.

Possible consequences and complications

Excessive content of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice is dangerous for the development of severe complications that are difficult to treat. The entry of aggressive gastric contents into the lumen of the esophagus is not only accompanied by the unpleasant sensation of heartburn, but also causes damage to its mucous membrane. Long-term gastroesophageal reflux is the main cause of the formation of an esophageal ulcer, and its subsequent possible degeneration into a malignant tumor.

An increased concentration of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice can cause damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Initially, such damage is superficial and is called erosion. Subsequently, the defect spreads deeper, which leads to the formation of ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. This is a serious disease that requires long-term systematic treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications:

ulcer malignancy;
internal bleeding;
stenosis of the pylorus of the stomach and/or duodenum with obstruction;

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The human digestive system operates on the principle of a conveyor belt. The food consumed gradually moves through all parts of the gastrointestinal tract, while the activation of a certain zone of the system sends a signal to the next zone, urging it to mobilize and begin work. Thus, the process of digestion of consumed food is continuous until the very moment of excretion of feces.

What is the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and how is it produced? How to test for acidity level? You will learn about this in our article.

What is hydrochloric acid and how is it produced?

Digestion of food begins in the stomach, which is a special muscular sac with a cavity inside, which is completely isolated from other organs, thanks to the tight closure of two sphincters - the upper (cardia), connecting the stomach with the esophagus, and the lower (pylorus), connecting the stomach with the intestines.

In a healthy person, the sphincters should always be tightly closed, opening only when a certain stimulus appears.

Hydrochloric acid is produced by the parietal cells of the fundic glands of the stomach. The stomach produces special digestive juices necessary for digesting the food consumed. The basis of gastric juice is hydrochloric acid, so the environment in the organ cavity is acidic.

The level of acid produced always depends on the food consumed. The higher the alkali level in foods, the more intensely the stomach must produce acid to digest it.

The basis for acid synthesis are chloride ions, which are contained in various compounds, primarily in the most common table salt.

Few people know that for the full production of gastric juice, a sufficient amount of salt in foods is necessary. People who consume salt in limited or very small quantities tend to suffer from low stomach acidity.

The formation of hydrochloric acid occurs in parietal cells, the activity and full functionality of which depends on many factors. Next, let's look at the functions of hydrochloric acid.

Functions of hydrochloric acid

As a rule, hydrochloric acid in the composition of gastric juice performs two main functions, namely, protein denaturation and the destruction of bacteria that were not covered by lysozyme in the esophageal cavity.

Protein denaturation

This process is otherwise called the coagulation of protein elements. Proteins are digested and absorbed by the body with the help of special protease enzymes. But, without the denaturation process, the digestion of proteins by these elements becomes impossible, which means that the body simply loses it, without assimilation.

The completeness of the denaturation function largely depends on the production of hydrochloric acid. If a person has low acidity of gastric juice, then the protein consumed cannot be fully absorbed. As a rule, in this case, a person is worried about excess gas formation that occurs during the further passage of a food coma with undigested protein through the digestive organs.

Gases during the digestion process appear due to excess release of ammonia, when intestinal bacteria begin to affect undigested proteins. The advancement of a food coma in this case is accompanied by putrefactive processes, which, when overeating, can begin in the stomach. As a result, a person begins to be accompanied by the smell of rotting meat, emerging from the oral cavity, during flatulence and from excreted feces.

For the above reason, it is important for people who consume large amounts of meat to remember that they should eat it sufficiently salted so that it is not influenced by modern fashion trends and the concept of various diets. If a person is healthy, then he should not limit his salt intake, as this can lead to quite serious disorders and consequences.

Destruction of bacteria not covered by lysozyme

The first stage of food processing with the help of lysozyme, consumed products pass through the esophagus, for which they linger there for 5 to 10 minutes. If a person eats too quickly, then the food does not have time to undergo full processing and some of the bacteria penetrate into the stomach. It is the elimination of these bacteria that is the second main function of hydrochloric acid.

The task of the stomach is to destroy all dangerous pathogenic bacteria and only then push the food bolus further into the duodenum.

The appearance of a gag reflex after eating is a natural function of the body, allowing it to protect it from low-quality and dangerous products.

Functions of hydrochloric acid in the stomach:

Creating an optimal level of acidity for processing consumed food;
Participation in the activation of propepsinogens;
Curdling of dairy products to improve their absorption;
Influencing other parts of the digestive system, activating their functionality;
Participation in the activation of gastricsin and the stimulation of cells located at the bottom of the organ;
Additional neutralization of products.

Gastric acidity tests

For a long time in medicine, gastric acidity was determined by the fractional method, and many types of stimulants were used. The juice extracted from the stomach was subjected to a titration procedure using special dyes. The acidity level in this case is established based on the obtained juice sample outside the stomach. But today this method is no longer used, since its reliability is in doubt.

Today, in most clinics, two methods are used to study gastric juice and determine its acidity: probing and acidotest (probeless research method).

Probing the stomach using a special probe with a diameter of about 5 mm, through which the level of acidity is determined directly in the stomach.

If a person cannot tolerate the introduction of foreign objects into the stomach, then an acid test is used for testing, in which the acidity level is determined by the results of a urine test and its staining.

Gastric secretions are essential for digestion. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach is produced by its glands. Like any acid, it is aggressive and harmful in increased quantities, but at normal levels it does not have a negative effect on the stomach. Any changes in the acid-base balance lead to digestive problems and diseases in the body.

Hydrochloric acid and gastric juice: what is it?

Gastric juice is a colorless, acidic liquid containing mucus, enzymes, salts, and water. One of the most important in this cocktail is HCl. About 2.5 liters are released per day. The content of hydrochloric acid in the human stomach is 160 mmol/l. If not for the protective mucous layer, it could have damaged the integrity of the organ. Its presence in gastric secretions is necessary for normal digestion.

Where and how is it produced?

Hydrochloric acid plays a major role in the complex digestive system.

The environment in the human stomach is provided by HCl. It is produced by parietal cells of the fundus and body of the organ. This is where most of it is formed. Along the way, the pH level decreases due to partial neutralization by bicarbonates. The formation mechanism begins from the moment a person catches the smell of food. The parasympathetic NS (nervous system) is activated, acetylcholine and gastrin irritate the receptors of the parietal cells, which leads to the onset of hydrochloric acid production. Its secretion occurs while food is in the stomach. After its evacuation into the intestine, synthesis is blocked by somatostatin.

Main functions

The role of gastric juice is determined by its components. The main functions of hydrochloric acid in the stomach are to denature proteins and protect the organ from bacteria. Complete digestion and absorption of protein foods is impaired if it has not undergone breakdown under the influence of acid. Instead of useful amino acids, ammonia, gases and rotting products are formed. Therefore, the breakdown of large peptide molecules with hydrochloric acid is important for their complete absorption. The enzyme pepsin, which is found in gastric juice, also breaks down proteins, but its activity requires normal stomach acidity.

Pathogenic microorganisms enter the mouth with food. Here, under the influence of lysozyme, they are partially neutralized. Some of them enter the stomach, where they are killed by the released hydrochloric acid. The food contained here is evacuated into the intestines only after being cleansed of bacteria. Otherwise, vomiting occurs, which is a kind of defensive reaction.

In addition, the role of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice is to stimulate the production of secretin in the duodenum. It also plays a role in improving iron absorption, regulating the acid-base balance in the body, enhancing the secretory activity of the gastric glands and pancreas and the motor activity of the stomach.

Reasons for increased and decreased secretion

Aggressive stomach contents irritate the mucous membranes.

Wrong diet. Excessive consumption of fatty, spicy, smoked foods leads to increased acid production, and frequent overeating leads to decreased acid production.
Inappropriate chewing of food. Eating on the go and in a hurry leads to the fact that poorly chopped pieces of food end up in the stomach. They require much more HCl to be digested and broken down, resulting in increased HCl production.
Stress. During periods of nervous tension, people go to extremes. Some eat continuously, others, on the contrary, forget about eating, someone starts drinking alcohol, etc. All this affects secretion.
Drug treatment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and hormonal drugs can lead to increased acidity.
Smoking. Toxic tobacco smoke disrupts the structural and functional activity of gastric cells.
Helicobacter pylori. It releases substances that destroy the structure of the mucous membrane and the acid balance in the human stomach.

How does acidity disorder manifest itself?

Belching is accompanied by an unpleasant sour taste.

If the acid-base balance is disturbed, a person feels discomfort. A key sign of elevated pH levels is severe pain in the pit of the stomach that appears 2 hours after eating. In addition, patients in this group complain of sour belching, heartburn, intestinal colic, bowel dysfunction, nausea and vomiting. If the acid in a person’s stomach is not contained in sufficient quantities, then there will also be pain in the stomach area, but it will be less pronounced and aching. Lack of HCl in gastric juice causes flatulence, frequent fungal and viral diseases, and makes a person’s immune system weakened. In order to prescribe adequate treatment and prevent dangerous complications such as ulcers and stomach cancer, it is necessary to diagnose secretion disorders in a timely manner.

Diagnosis of hydrochloric acid levels

Fractional sensing. Using special probes, gastric juice is sucked out and analyzed.
Intragastric pH-metry. The sensors are inserted into the stomach cavity and measure the pH level directly in it.
Acid tests. This method is based on a change in the color of urine after the patient takes certain medications with a dye. The intensity of its coloring is checked against a special scale and a conclusion is drawn about the lack or excess of acid in the stomach.
At home, you can determine the acidity level of gastric juice by drinking a glass of sour apple juice on an empty stomach. The appearance after this of pain or burning in the stomach, a metallic taste in the mouth, will indicate an increase in it, and a desire to eat or drink something else sour - a decrease.