Stomach Acid Symptoms

In the human body, the structures comprising the digestive system secrete enzymes, intrinsic factors and gastric acid. All of these secretions are necessary for the proper digestion of food in the stomach. This article particularly discusses gastric acid and the effect of its higher or lower concentration on your health. To begin with, gastric acid is also known as stomach acid. It is described as an acid solution with a pH of 1-2 in the lumen of the stomach. It mainly consists of a small amount of hydrochloric acid and large quantities of sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

Stomach acid is produced by different structures composing the digestive system in a step by step manner. In fact, stomach acid is produced in all the three stages of digestion, cephalic, gastric and intestinal. The secretion of stomach acid in the cephalic phase is stimulated by anticipation of eating, smell and taste of food. In the gastric phase, the stomach acid secretion is stimulated by the stomach distended with food. The production of proteins during digestion increases the secretion of stomach acid even more. Similarly, in the intestinal phase, the secretion is stimulated by distention of the small intestine. Several conditions can alter the normal concentration of stomach acid. Some examples of such conditions are autoimmune disorders, use of antacids, pernicious anemia, stomach cancer, atrophic gastritis, radiation therapy, etc.

Symptoms of Low Stomach Acid
The condition of low stomach acid can give rise to numerous uncomfortable and irritating symptoms. Insufficiency of acid in the stomach leads to indigestion of foods. Since, a good amount of improperly broken food is present in the stomach, the bacteria grows in number. This leads to imbalance of probiotics and harmful bacteria, which in turn hinders your body's ability to absorb nutrients. In this way, low stomach acid does not allow the nutrients to get absorbed by your body, hence there occurs a deficiency of nutrients even on eating healthy foods in good amounts. Long term deficiency of nutrients can cause more serious health issues, mostly arsing from poor weakened immune system. Nutrient deficiency is one of the major low stomach acid symptoms. All other symptoms of low stomach acid arise due to the presence of undigested foods in the stomach. These are bloating, belching, burning and a feeling of fullness even after eating little or nothing.

Symptoms of Excess Stomach Acid
Alike low stomach acid, high stomach acid symptoms are highly inconvenient and uneasy. Under the conditions of excess of stomach acid, you are most likely to suffer from indigestion due to acid and heartburn. Both these problems are a result of disorders of the digestive tract. The major digestive system disorders that can be responsible for indigestion and heartburn are irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Another easily identifiable high stomach acid symptoms include sour taste. The sour taste in your mouth is due to the stomach acid that comes up into your esophagus. This may give a frequent acidy taste in your mouth. Such a condition of the mouth is unpleasant that you may even vomit. Other common symptoms of excess stomach acid are nausea, loss of appetite, burning sensation and stomachache.

Both low and high stomach acid symptoms are highly irritating and frustrating. They make you feel severely sick and prevent you from leading a normal healthy life. To add to these, each of these conditions of low and high stomach acids for a long period of time can lead to more serious medical complications. Therefore, it is very important that you consult a medical practitioner if you notice the given signs and symptoms of stomach acid. Proper and timely medical treatment can restore the normal state of your stomach, and hence your health. Following a balanced diet and a moderate exercise regime will definitely help you recover fast. Take Care!!!