Posted 11/11/2014 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Many people assume that they are producing to much acid when they have re-flux (GERD). Unfortunately this assumption, in many cases, is incorrect. Gastric fluids with or without the presence of strong Hydrochloric acid (HCL) is very bitter to the taste. Many people over the age of 45, but not limited to any age group, suffer from hypochlorhydria (reduced acid production in the stomach).
It is virtually impossible to determine if a person is over or under producing acid, without a pH diagnostic test. The symptoms associated with Hyperchlorhydria (over production of HCL), are identical in people that are not producing enough HCL (Hypochlorhydria). Both conditions will cause gas, re-flux, belching, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and or constipation, etc. Because the symptoms associated with Hyperchlorhydria and Hypochlorhydria are identical many doctors assume that the person is over producing acid. This usually means that the person will be prescribed a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI), or other acid reducing medication.
When a person that is not producing enough acid is placed on a PPI, or acid reducing medication, the digestive process become seriously compromised. Proton Pump Inhibitors and acid reducers stop the stomachs parietal cells from producing acid. When this occurs, nutrients do not receive the benefit of complete sterilization and conversion, and the nutrients are prematurely dumped into the small bowel. The premature dumping will cause or raw nutrients into the small bowel will cause and immune system response, which in many cases is an allergic reaction. When people that are not producing sufficiently strong HCL are placed on acid reducers, they will become Achlorhydric. Achlorhydria is the complete absence of HCL in the digestive process. Achlorhydria and Hypochlorhydria will allow the proliferation of bacteria and parasites in the digestive process and set the stage for many debilitating diseases. If you have reflux or GERD, ask you doctor to give you a pH diagnostic test to determine what is really going on in you digestive process.