Hypochlorhydrate is a situation characterized by a decrease in the production of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach, which increases the pH of the stomach and leads to the appearance of certain symptoms such as nausea, bloating, belching, abdominal discomfort and nutritional deficiencies.
Hypochlorhydrate often occurs as a result of chronic gastritis, being more common in people over the age of 65, who frequently use antacids or reflow remedies, who have recently undergone stomach surgery or who have an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, popularly known as H. pylori.
- Symptoms of hypochlordhydria occur when the pH of the stomach is higher than normal due to the lack of ideal amounts of HCl.
- Resulting in certain signs and symptoms.
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Hydrochloric acid is important for the process of digestion of food and, in the case of hypochlorhydria, in the case of not having enough acid, digestion is compromised. In addition, HCl is important in the process of absorbing certain nutrients in the stomach, as well as in the fight against certain pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, it is important that hydrochloric acid is produced in ideal amounts, thus avoiding complications.
The causes of hypochlorhydria are diverse, being more common as a result of chronic gastritis, especially when the presence of the H.pylori bacteria is checked, which causes a decrease in the amount of acid present in the stomach and increases the risk of developing stomach ulcers, which increase the severity of symptoms.
In addition to being able to develop from gastritis and H. pylori infection, hypochlorhydria can also occur from excessive stress and age, being more common in people over 65 years of age. This is also possible due to the nutritional deficiency of zinc, as zinc is necessary for the production of hydrochloric acid.
Using lifelong gastric protective medications, even if recommended by your doctor, can cause hypochlordhydria, as well as stomach surgeries, such as gastric bypass surgery, during which changes are also made to the stomach and intestine. can cause a decrease in stomach acid. Understand what gastric bypass is and how it’s done.
Diagnosis of hypochlorhydria should be made by the family doctor or gastroenterologist based on the assessment of the signs and symptoms presented by the person, as well as his/her medical history. In addition, certain tests are required to complete the diagnosis, including the test that allows the pH measurement of the stomach. Normally, the pH of the stomach is up to 3, however in hypochlorhydria pH is between 3 and 5, while in aclorhydria, which is characterized by the absence of acid production in the stomach, the pH is greater than 5.
Tests indicated by your doctor are also important for identifying the cause of hypochlorhydria, as treatment may be more specific. Therefore, blood tests should be prescribed to primarily check the amount of iron and zinc in the blood, in addition to performing a urease test to identify the H. pylori bacteria. Understand how the urease test is performed.
Treatment is recommended by the doctor depending on the cause of the hypochlorhydria, the use of antibiotics may be indicated, in case it is caused by H.pylori, or the use of HCl supplements with the enzyme pepsin, because in this way gastric acidity is possible.
In addition, it is important for the person to try to relax, as chronic stress can also lead to a decrease in heartburn and a healthy and balanced diet. In cases where hypochlorhydria is caused by a zinc deficiency, it may also be recommended to use a zinc supplement to make it possible to produce acid in the stomach. If the person is wearing gastric protectors, for example, your doctor may recommend stopping the medicine until the production of acid in the stomach is regulated.