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Cause of Excess Stomach Acid

Stomach acid is important for good health. Its purpose is to break down food into a form that the body can absorb, which is critical to absorbing nutrients. There are a multitude of digestive disturbances that can occur when stomach acid gets out of balance. Excess stomach acid is a common problem that causes discomfort for thousands of people.

  1. The Facts

    • Gastric acid is made up of mostly hydrochloric acid (HCL). This helps the body to break down and digest food. Hydrogen and chloride must work together for the stomach to function normally. A large number of people have digestive disturbances that occur because of overproduction of acid in the stomach.

    Heartburn

    • When you first experience symptoms of excess stomach acid, you're probably experiencing heartburn. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. Occasional heartburn is common and usually can be treated with lifestyle changes or over-the-counter remedies.

    Complications

    • Heartburn that occurs frequently and interferes with your daily routine is known as GERD (gastroesophogeal reflux disease). Excess acid can damage the walls of the stomach or duodenum and lead to peptic ulcers. Zollinger Ellison syndrome is a rare disorder that leads to tumors in the pancreas. These tumors secrete a large amount of the hormone gastrin, which causes production of excess stomach acid. If your heartburn doesn't respond to over-the-counter medication, see your doctor.

    Common Causes

    • Relief from excess stomach acid depends on eliminating the cause. Certain foods trigger acid production, such as coffee, chocolate and peppermint. Other problem foods include fried foods, fatty foods, garlic, onion and carbonated beverages. Heartburn can also be triggered by overeating, food allergies, stress and smoking.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Lifestyle changes often can relieve symptoms of excess stomach acid. Don't wear tight-fitting clothes. Strive to maintain an ideal body weight, because excess pounds can push up your stomach and cause excess acid to back up into your esophagus. Eat small portions, and avoid foods that you know will trigger heartburn.

    Warning

    • Symptoms that may appear to be heartburn may really be a heart attack. If you suffer from heartburn frequently and feel a burning sensation after a meal, you may conclude that it's heartburn. But if your pain is suddenly more intense, it could be something more serious. Watch for sudden pressure, tightening or squeezing of the chest. Another warning sign is chest discomfort accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness or sweating.

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