Hydrochloric acid found in the stomach, sometimes called gastric acid, helps digest food and also destroys many of the bacteria that enter the stomach. When food enters the stomach, acid production normally increases. Gastrin, a hormone produced...
Stomach acid serves many crucial functions within our gut. Unfortunately, certain foods and diseases can cause excessive acid production. As a result, individuals with excessive stomach acidity are at higher risk for the development of peptic...
An excess of stomach acid does not cause blood pressure to rise. While high blood pressure, medically termed "hypertension," and heartburn, known as acid reflux, both occur more commonly if you're overweight or obese, one does not cause...
Your stomach produces stomach acid or gastric acid to help digest food. Gastric acid also kills any bacteria you might ingest with your food. When the body produces too much acid, you experience symptoms like heartburn. Over-the-counter antacids...
In many cultures, fermented foods have a longstanding reputation as good for your health. According to United Nations University, in some societies, fermented foods make up roughly 40 percent of the typical daily diet. Traditionally, fermented...
Cells within the stomach, known as the parietal cells, are responsible for the production and secretion of gastric acid. This acid is critical for breaking down food and for activating enzymes which are needed for digestion. On the other hand, too...
Heartburn typically feels like pain, tightness or a burning sensation in your chest and back of your throat. It is caused by stomach acid entering into your esophagus and irritating delicate tissues. You may experience heartburn because you...
Probably the most important thing to know about low stomach acid is that it often causes the same symptoms as having too much acid. Playing detective to figure this out can be quite a challenge, especially when the patient is a child. In fact,...
When your body produces too much stomach acid and when the stomach acid enters your esophagus, you may experience ulcers or heartburn. If these conditions happen too often, your health may decline dramatically. People often drink milk to provide...
Zegerid, also known as omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate, is a proton pump inhibitor. According to Texas Health and Human Services, proton pump inhibitors are drugs used to treat and prevent stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis due...
The amount of acid in your stomach can be decreased, especially if it is causing symptoms of irritation, heartburn or stomach pain. It is always best to check with your doctor first to identify the exact nature of your symptoms and the correct...
Calcium is revered as an important mineral that supports bone mineralization. Without adequate calcium intake, especially if you are over the age of 50, osteoporosis may occur. Magnesium, another important mineral, plays a role in a variety of...
Prevacid, or lansoprazole, is used for short-term therapy of duodenal ulcers and erosive esophagitis, which is inflammation and irritation of the lining of the esophagus. Short-term therapy means 1 to 2 months, depending on the condition being...
Prilosec is an oral medication that treats conditions caused by too much stomach acid. Stomach cells produce acid as part of the normal digestive process. Occasional excess acid causes heartburn. Constant excess acid can cause painful ulcers in...
Prevacid, also known as lansoprazole, belongs to a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors that reduce the production of acid in the stomach. Prevacid is used to treat and prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach ulcers,...
Citracal's full name is Citracal calcium citrate. When not getting enough calcium in a diet, Citracal is an option for a supplement. A calcium deficiency will result in poor quality bones. The outer structure and inner part of the bone will be...
Frequently eating large, greasy meals and finishing them off with fatty desserts can lead to acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The esophagus gets repeatedly assaulted with stomach acids and partly digested food that has...
Vinegar is often used as a home remedy for acid reflux. The symptoms of acid reflux can range from mild gastrointestinal distress to burning in your chest, nausea, vomiting and a painful sore throat. Though the "Harvard Medical School Family...
Liquids referred to as "bitters" are usually made from fragrant, bitter-tasting herbs such as gentian or dandelion. While some fermented alcoholic bitters are a bartender's secret weapon for tasty cocktails, others such as non-alcoholic Swedish...
Stomach acid plays a critical role in breaking down the foods you eat, and how well your body can absorb essential nutrients. Without enough acid in your stomach, you can develop nutritional deficiencies that impact your health. Certain forms of...
Just as the human body needs to maintain a constant temperature of around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit to be healthy, so it also needs to maintain a nearly constant pH, or acidity level, in the blood and body tissues. Most of the body is fairly...
Among its duties, vitamin B-12 is needed for your body to produce healthy red blood cells. You generally get enough B-12 from animal products in your diet. However, restricting animal foods, or an inability to digest B-12 from your diet can cause...
Prilosec, generic name omeprazole, belongs to a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors. According to the National Institutes of Health, Prilosec is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat and prevent stomach...
The generically named medicine rabeprazole is sold under a variety of brand names worldwide, including Pariet in Australia. Doctors prescribe the medication to help people who produce too much stomach acid, which can cause such problems as GERD or...
Protonix, the brand name for pantoprazole, treats disorders associated with the production of too much stomach acid or conditions in which stomach acid damages the esophagus. Some conditions treated include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),...
Peppermint oil has a calming effect, which combined with its mild antibacterial and antiviral powers, makes it useful for treating a variety of health conditions. Research is ongoing, but peppermint oil seems to be beneficial for treating...
Stomach acid helps digest food, but too much stomach acid can lead to ulcers and aggravate existing ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Stomach ulcers and GERD can be painful and cause bloating, nausea, vomiting and weight loss....
Prilosec, the brand name for omeprazole, is a medication to treat too much stomach acid. It can affect the absorption of certain nutrients, including calcium, folic acid and vitamin B-12, so you may need to supplement your intake of these...
Sodium bicarbonate is a salt compound that's not only a common household chemical -- it's colloquially called baking soda -- but is also an important component of the body. You use bicarbonate to help maintain the acidity of your bloodstream, and...
