Achlorhydrie
In achlorhydria , the hydrochloric acid content in the stomach acid is greatly reduced. The consequences are digestive disorders, vitamin and iron deficiencies and sometimes serious illnesses such as pernicious anemia. The symptoms are treated, among other things, by dietary measures and vitamin B12 substitution.
What is achlorhydria?
Achlorhydria is the absence of gastric acid in the gastric juice. While incomplete achlorhydria can be treated with medication, treating absolute achlorhydria is much more complex. The differentiated symptoms range from stomach pain to cognitive disorders and, in conjunction with a gastroscopy, enable a clear diagnosis. Like treatment, preventive measures focus on dietary changes, often accompanied by the administration of dietary supplements .
causes
Achlorhydria can have a variety of causes. In most cases, it occurs due to the aging process and the associated problems in the entire digestive tract. Malnutrition , lack of exercise and a generally unhealthy lifestyle also increase the risk of disease. Regardless, achlorhydria can be favored by anxiety , stress , and grief.Mental illnesses have a significant influence on gastric juice production and in some cases can even bring it to a standstill. Surgical interventions such as gastrectomy and certain medications such as proton pump inhibitors can also lead to functional impairment of the gastric juice glands. Achlorhydria also occurs as part of the WDHA syndrome, impaired histamine production and various other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
The cause is usually damage to the parietal cells and the resulting disruption of hydrochloric acid production. If the glandular cells are destroyed by gastric carcinoma, the neighboring glandular tissue also suffers a loss of function and the parietal cells can no longer transport hydrochloric acid. This leads to a lack of gastric acid and, as a result, to a variety of physical and cognitive symptoms.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of achlorhydria:
- increased heart rate
- reduced performance
In addition to watery diarrhea, achlorhydria manifests itself primarily through pernicious anemia or Biemer’s disease. This form of anemia is caused by a lack of vitamin B12, which in turn disrupts the formation of intrinsic factors in those affected. Typical causes of Biemer’s disease are complaints such as an increased heart rate, severe fatigue and reduced performance. Jaundice, abdominal pain and numbness can also occur.
Affected people experience the typical tingling of the skin and other abnormal sensations such as numb hands, unsteady gait and even paralysis. Finally, cognitive and psychological symptoms such as depression or psychosis, difficulty concentrating and a generally reduced performance can occur. Externally, the achlorhydria shows, among other things, by severe paleness and sunken eyes.
The sickly appearance is exacerbated by the disturbed absorption of nutrients during the illness. As a result of the iron deficiency, physical performance losses, susceptibility to infections and exhaustion occur. Other signs can be hair loss, brittle nails and cracked corners of the mouth. Since the severity and type of symptoms of achlorhydria can vary greatly, the symptoms must be clarified by a doctor in any case.
Diagnose
When diagnosing achlorhydria, it is useful not only to look at the symptoms, but also to take an anamnesis with regard to existing underlying diseases. In conversation with the patient, the doctor can use the typical symptoms to determine which underlying disease may be present. A cause can then be determined by laboratory diagnostics. The routine examinations using sonography , gastroscopy and X-ray imaging show possible diseases such as carcinoma or cancer.
At best, a connection can then be established between the underlying disease and the stomach problems. If no clear cause can be determined, a laparoscopy is performed. A blood test can show an iron deficiency and show possible tumors and other disorders in the organism through the oxygen content and other values. It is carried out when the classic diagnostic methods are unsuccessful.
Achlorhydria has no long-term consequences if treated quickly. If the lack of gastric acid is not compensated for, the symptoms initially worsen: the digestive problems increase, exhaustion and a lack of iron and vitamins B12 and B6 occur. Subsequently, miscolonization of the small intestine can occur, and the risk of osteoporosis , asthma, celiac disease and histamine tolerance also increases. A chronic lack of gastric acid brings with it various problems and almost always takes an unfavorable course.
complications
Achlorhydria can cause various complications. First, there is a risk that the lack of gastric juice will cause indigestion . If the disease is not treated medically by then at the latest, further complications can develop from the initial gastrointestinal symptoms. Often there is severe fatigue and reduced performance, which has a negative effect on general well-being as the disease progresses. If the achlorhydria is based on a serious condition such as Biemer’s disease, it can sometimes lead to circulatory collapse. Rarely, achlorhydria can also cause iron deficiency.
Achlorhydria associated with jaundice can cause neurological symptoms such as numbness and discomfort. In addition, psychological and cognitive problems can occur. Those affected often develop depressions or even psychoses as a result of a delayed illness, which in turn pose health risks. Complications can also arise when treating achlorhydria. The vitamin B12 preparations that are usually prescribed can cause allergies and intolerances and thus lead to an aggravation of the underlying disease. If achlorhydria is based on gastric carcinoma, injuries can occur during surgery. If the carcinoma is not detected, further metastases and serious complications can develop as a result.
treatment and therapy
The treatment of achlorhydria is based on the cause and severity of the disease. Incomplete achlorhydria can almost always be treated with pentagastrin. The drug provokes secretion production until the stomach is able to release the secretion again on its own. In addition, a diet consisting of foods that are gentle on the stomach , such as tomato juice, cocoa or cranberry juice, is usually prescribed.
Part of the change in diet is also taking food supplements that supply the body with minerals and vitamins. However, this is only a proven remedy for incomplete achlorhydria. In the case of absolute achlorhydria, however, dietary supplements and acid blockers should be discontinued, as they may further neutralize the already weakened stomach acid.
If the disease is already more advanced, the deficiencies can be compensated for by intravenous and intramuscular vitamin substitution. This purely symptomatic therapy takes place independently of the treatment of the cause. The cause can be treated, for example, by compensating for an existing iron deficiency, by surgical intervention or by other dietary measures. Due to the large number of possible underlying diseases in the course of which achlorhydria can occur, the appropriate treatment steps must be decided on a case-by-case basis.
prevention
Achlorhydria can hardly be actively prevented, since gastric carcinomas and other typical triggers are mostly genetic. Autoimmune diseases, which could be the cause of the destruction of the gastric glands, are also difficult to prevent. A healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and a balanced diet can help prevent the development of such diseases.
Stress-related gastrointestinal diseases can often be avoided by relaxation methods. Achlorhydria itself can hardly be prevented, which is why prophylaxis is limited to regular doctor visits and a healthy lifestyle. People who show the first signs of an iron or vitamin B12 deficiency can prevent a severe course of the disease by clarifying the symptoms at an early stage.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.