Can low stomach acid cause acid reflux?

[I_HATE_ANXIETY]

I know that the symptoms for low stomach acid and high stomach acid are very much identical.
I was wondering, if someone were to have LOW stomach acid, could they still have episodes of acid reflux or is acid reflux only possible to those who have HIGH amounts of stomach acid?

Thank you
-b-

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
All reflux episodes are not acid reflux episodes. Refluxes can be either acid reflux or bile reflux.
Acid reflux does not occur when the acid production is suppressed. That is the basis of the treatment of acid reflux. PPI are prescribed for acid reflux. These medications suppress the production of acid and provide symptom releif.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[I_HATE_ANXIETY]

Please help bhai-jhan
shukriya!

[Daniel7777]

The lack of adiquate Hydorchloric Acid Production is callled Hypochlorhydria.  It is very common in the 50 and up age Groups, but not limited to these age groups.  As people age the Guts Parietal Cells start to wane in their ability to combine Hydrogen-Ions into the Parietal Cell fluids.  The cells never stop producing fluid, but the ability to combine the Hydrogen-Ions into the fluids does. There are other factors that can  be involved with Esophoeal reflux. Fluids from the Duodenum may be refluxing back into the Stomach, this is called Pyloric Insufficiency. One of the most mis-diagnosed conditons in this country is GERD.  The Symptoms for the over production of HCL, and the under production of HCL, are virtually identical.  The both cause Reflux, Belching, Bloating, Abdominal Discomfort, Irrecular Stools, etc.  Unfortunately many doctors are prescribing Proton Pump Inhibitors or pH Blocking Medications to their Patiens which is making them Achlorhydric. It is virtuall impossible to a person to determine if they are over producing or under producing HCl, when they taste the Reflux fluids in their mouth, because the of the bitterness of the fluid.  The best approach to finding out what your problem is to get a Heidelberg pH Dignostic test.  The test will be able to tell you if you are over or under producing HCL, or if you have Pyloric Insufficiency, Heavy Mucus in the Gut, Acute or Sub-acute Gastritus, and much more. This test does not require the use of the infamous naso-gastric tube.  It is a very simple test that takes about 30 minutes.  If you are not producing sufficient HCl, your body will not sterlize and convert the nutrients you consume properly.  This will result in reduced absorption in the Small Bowel. Your First Stage of Digestion must work at its optimum level to support the Immune System. A normal healthy adult will have a pH in their Gut of 1.2 to 1.2 pH.  The HCL mixes with the Nutrients and the Peptic Enzymes are combined to break down and sterylize the Nurtients. This process forms a thick liquidy mass called chyme.  When there is insufficient HCL being produced the fluids, for all practical explinations, are floating on the nutrients.  As the stomach fills these fluids will reflux back into the esophagus.  Get test and find out whats going on, you will thank God you did.

[I_HATE_ANXIETY]

Daniel, thank you SO much for your detailed answer!
I was on PPIs for 3 months and was taking 20 mg 2x a day, it gave me a whole bunch of side effects , the worst being severe stomach pain. I always felt like I didnt need to be on them. I find that people with high HCL tend to be bigger/fatter, Im thin.

The only problem now is,... where and how can I convince my doctor to let me get this Heidelberg pH diagnostic test done. My doctor(s) kinda haev big egos and always reject my ideas and requests for testing. Actually, when I brought up the issue of having low HCL and having a ph test done a few weeks ago (i asked in passing very briefly) my doc said that "your HCL levels should return back to normal in 2 weeks so there is no need for that test your acid is fine"

I really want to get this test done, im even willing to pay for it, I Live in the Toronto ontario canada area, so if you know anyone who is willing to do it here, please let me know. thanks and God bless

-b-