stomach acidgis a substance that plays an important role in the digestive process. However, if the level is excessivehor too little, stomach acid can cause variousgi health problem.
Digestive disorders, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating, are some of the health problems that can arise due to abnormal levels of stomach acid. If left untreated, this condition can lead to serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses.
What is Stomach Acid?
Stomach acid plays an important role in the digestive process. Without stomach acid or if levels in the stomach are low, the body cannot absorb nutrients from food.
In addition to playing a role in the digestive process, stomach acid also functions to neutralize enzymes and kill harmful germs that may be in food.
Therefore, it is important to ensure the level of stomach acid according to the body's needs. If the amount is too much or too little, various health problems can arise.
Stomach Acid Dangers jFish Too Little
When the body does not produce enough stomach acid, or in medical terms it is called hypochloridia, the symptoms that will appear are:
- Bloated
- Often burp
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain or heartburn
- Nausea and vomiting
- Body feels weak
- Frequent urination
In addition, the lack of stomach acid in the long term can also cause nutritional problems, such as deficiency of certain vitamins, minerals, or proteins. This is because the lack of stomach acid causes these nutrients to not be digested properly by the body.
Stomach Acid Dangers jFish Too Much
Conversely, if stomach acid levels are too high, there are various disorders that can occur, namely:
1. Heartburn
Heartburn or heartburn is a stinging sensation in the chest and upper abdomen, which usually gets worse when lying down or bending over. This condition is the result of stomach acid rising into the esophagus, and can indicate a stomach ulcer.
If complaints of heartburn occur only occasionally, generally no special treatment is needed. However, if heartburn occurs frequently, feels heavy and radiates to the jaw, neck, or arms, a doctor's examination and treatment is necessary.
2. GERD orstomach acid disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid or gastric juices and contents back up into the esophagus, irritating the lining of the esophagus.
GERD is characterized by heartburn that occurs more than twice a week. The dangers of stomach acid on this one can be treated by living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding coffee and alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and taking stomach acid-reducing drugs. In certain cases, GERD may need to be treated with surgery.
3. Broken teeth
Stomach acid or gastric juices that rise into the esophagus and mouth can erode tooth enamel (the outermost layer of teeth). As a result, the teeth become damaged. Without regular dental checkups, people usually don't realize that their teeth are damaged until the damage is severe.
4. Breathing problems
Stomach acid can also worsen asthma or pneumonia, causing shortness of breath. This can occur when stomach acid that rises into the esophagus accidentally enters the throat when breathing, and enters the lungs.
5. Inflammation of the esophagus
Stomach acid back up into the esophagus (GERD) can cause irritation of the walls of the esophagus. This irritation then triggers inflammation of the esophagus or what is commonly called esophagitis.
6. Barrett's esophagus
If left untreated for years, stomach acid that continues to rise into the esophagus has the potential to cause Barrett's esophagus. The danger of stomach acid on this one is a serious complication of GERD.
In Barrett's esophagus, there is damage to the esophageal tissue that connects the mouth to the stomach. This disease has no specific symptoms, and the symptoms that appear are usually related to or similar to GERD. The main danger of Barrett's esophagus is the occurrence of esophageal cancer.
To keep stomach acid levels balanced, make it a habit to eat on a regular schedule. In addition, avoid eating too quickly and lying down immediately after eating, so that stomach acid does not rise.
If it doesn't improve, this excess stomach acid may need to be treated with acid-lowering medications, such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, cimetidine, famotidine, and ranitidine. However, the drug ranitidine is currently being temporarily withdrawn by the BPOM.
If complaints of indigestion related to stomach acid are often felt, or stomach acid disorders cause severe abdominal pain, black stool color, vomiting blood, or difficulty swallowing, immediately consult a doctor for examination and treatment.