Ulric and Gastritis: How To Identify Them?

Simple carbohydrates, such as rice or pasta, will take your body 30-60 minutes to digest. 10-20 minutes are required for plain water. 20-40 minutes for juice, soda, or tea. High-protein foods can take up to 4 hours to digest. As a result, you'll feel fuller for longer.

Gastric acid

So, who is in charge of assisting the digestion process? Yes! Stomach acid. It is made up of three components: hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, and sodium chloride.

Stomach acid has a pH of 1-3 when measured. More acidic than battery acid! It is so powerful that it can destroy any food we swallow before it reaches the small intestine. It is capable of destroying strong body parts like bones and teeth.

Every day, the body miraculously produces 4 liters of stomach acid. The body also produces a variety of digestive compounds, including enzymes that break down fats and proteins, such as lipase and pepsin.

However, how can stomach acid, which is so plentiful and powerful, not harm the stomach? We should thank the epithelial cells that make mucus, mucosa, and bicarbonate. This substance safeguards the stomach wall.

What are the benefits?

Stomach acid has the following benefits:

1. It aids the body's absorption of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes dizziness, hallucinations, and tingling in the hands and feet.
   
   
2. It aids the body's absorption of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and iron. Minerals are long-term beneficial to bone health, red blood cell production, and energy.
   
   
3. Neutralize harmful pathogens such as germs and bacteria that enter the stomach through food. If the acids do not destroy them, they cause poisoning and disrupt the intestinal bacterial balance. As a result, the individual will experience diarrhea, bloating, or abdominal pain.
   
   
4. It improves digestion and aids in absorbing simple sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and glycerol.
   
   
5. It closes the lower oesophagal sphincter, reducing the ability of acid to re-enter the oesophagus and causing acid reflux (the rising of stomach acid into the oesophagus).
   
   
6. Open the pyloric sphincter, allowing chyme (mushy food) to enter the small intestine rather than remaining in the stomach.

Low stomach acid makes the body vulnerable to a variety of diseases and health complications because it cannot optimally absorb vitamins and minerals. Hypochlorhydria is a medical term for low stomach acid.

Acidic stomach diseases

When people experience stomach acid problems, they frequently refer to it as stomach ulcers or gastritis. Both are distinct but share some characteristics.

Belching, flatulence, upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, changes in appetite, and difficulty sleeping are all symptoms of both. These symptoms may last even longer in ulcer patients.

So, what's the difference? Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach wall becomes inflamed. Meanwhile, an ulcer develops when a wound forms in the lining of the stomach or duodenum wall as a result of deeper and chronic inflammation.

Inflammation of the stomach lining is most commonly caused by the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria, the use of certain drugs, the consumption of alcohol, and autoimmune diseases. Acid reflux disease affects eight out of every 1,000 people. An overuse of pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin also causes this disorder.

Gastric inflammation can also be caused by rare conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) and severe physiological stress. In ZES, the stomach produces an abnormally high amount of stomach acid. Meanwhile, physiological stress alters the pH balance of the body, causing stomach acid to increase.

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux) is another stomach acid-related health issue. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid rises to the esophagus. These symptoms can be relieved by avoiding trigger foods and beverages.

Managing stomach acid

Stomach acid fluctuates. This is usually caused by a combination of factors, such as using drugs or altering your lifestyle. Acid levels that are too low or too high can cause health issues.

These changes in stomach acid, however, can be prevented. It is possible to alter your diet and lifestyle. Here are a few ideas:

1. Eat in small amounts. Avoid eating in large quantities all at once. Stomach acid can rise into the esophagus if the stomach is too full or if you eat too late.
2. Avoid foods that are spicy, sour, or fatty. Also coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks.
3. Avoid sleeping right after eating. If you want to sleep, do so at least 2-3 hours after eating.
4. Wear loose clothing to avoid constriction of the stomach.
5. Increase the consumption of fibrous foods and reduce the amount of calorie intake.
6. Leave the smoking habit.
7. Do not eat in a hurry. Chew the food thoroughly.
8. Stay hydrated between meals.
9. Get enough sleep.
10. Watch your weight. Don't get obese.

Stomach acid not only aids digestion and nutrient absorption, but it also aids in the blocking of microbes that cause illness.

So, do you want to continue drinking coffee or eating spicy fried food? Be cautious if you have stomach acid problems. Isn't it better to prevent than to cure?

If you have stomach acid issues, you can visit the GWS Medika Clinic, a health clinic in Jakarta. This clinic offers infusion treatment with medication to relieve symptoms and help lower stomach acid levels.

The main benefits of infusion treatment and gastrointestinal medicine include:

• Preventing stomach acid from rising.
• Protecting the stomach wall from irritation.
• Reducing stomach symptoms.
• Maintaining acid-base balance in the stomach for optimal digestive health.

With the right treatment, you can feel more comfortable and confident in your daily activities without worrying about stomach acid problems.