Gastric acid is a digestive fluid, formed in the stomach . It has a pH of 1.5 to 3.5 and is composed of hydrochloric acid (HCl) (around 0.5%, or 5000 parts per million ), and large quantities of potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl). The acid plays a key role in digestion of proteins , by activating digestive enzymes , and making ingested proteins unravel so that digestive enzymes can break down the long chains of amino acids . Gastric acid is produced by cells lining the stomach, which are coupled to systems to increase acid production when needed. Other cells in the stomach produce bicarbonate , a base, to buffer the fluid, ensuring that it does not become too acidic. These cells also produce mucus , which forms a viscous physical barrier to prevent gastric acid from damaging the stomach. Cells in the beginning of the small intestine, or duodenum , further produce large amounts of bicarbonate to completely neutralize any gastric acid that passes further down into the digestive tract. The presence of gastric acid in the stomach and its function in digestion was first characterized by U.S. Army surgeon William Beaumont around 1830. Beaumont was able to study the stomach action of fur trapper Alexis St. Martin due to the latter s gastric fistula .
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Premium Questions (73)
C Diff?I asked a question earlier, but I wanted to ask further questions. I am 27 years old and my stool sample came back today positive for C Diff. I have been defecating mucus for about a little over a week and...
Sir, I am 34 years old, male, single, working as a professional engineer. Since my childhood, I am very shy and introvert in nature. From age 8 to 14, i was being along with my grand mother, since my parents were overseas at their work. During...
I have a constant tender pain about 1-2 inches above the navel that is internal (coming from a pinpoint location). It feels like I've been punched and makes it hard for me to work out in the gym. I've been on proton pumps prior (which make me...
Dry patch on roof of mouth. Had an examination and nothing found. It was suggested I had an acid reflux but gaviscon hasn't helped. I have had breast cancer (13 years ago), now have borderline kidney disease, maybe...
i had been taking alcohol twenty years but from last 9 years i keep drinking for 10 to 12 days and leave it for 5 to 6 days regularly in the same patron and walk for 3 to 4 kilometers a day when not drinking i am...
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Suffering from anxiety, panic disorder, acid reflux and IBS. What cure and treatment should be done?
I have acid reflux/ IBS.. and I suffer with severe anxiety/panic disorder. I have flare ups with the acid reflux and IBS often, but my anxiety is everyday! I have the rumbling going off and on too in my stomach. I...
I was diagnosed with reflux 4 weeks ago. Burned my voice box and had crackly voice for 6 days. I think it was my eating habits and not my stomach acid that caused it. I had acl surgery 8 weeks ago. I laid in bed for...
What can I do when acid reflux burns my tongue overnight. And are there any natural cures for this
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I am writing to ask about my dad. He underwent surgery 3 days ago to repair an anal fistula and remove an internal hemorrhoid. Yesterday (48 hours post op) he had 7 vomiting episodes. Each episode started with...
I feel a mild to strong pain in my right side of stomach when I'am sitting or standing a certain way. Last year I had a stomach altrasound done chest xray and a test for heart burn done to check my reflux... And...
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Online Doctor Chat (120) - Gastric acid
Doctor : hi
Doctor : how can i help you?
User : Hi doctor
Doctor : hi
User : I am taking Izra*D40 and buscopan
Doctor : ok
Doctor : what is the problem?
User : my doctor had advised me to take izra D40 15 tablets and buscopan 30...
Doctor : Hi
Doctor : Yes.
Doctor : yes.
User : Hi
Doctor : yes.
Doctor : Jigh protein diet.
User : I think it got disconn.
Doctor : High
Doctor : No milk prevents acidity.
User : According to you i should talk protein at night
User :...
Doctor : Hi
Doctor : How can I help you?
User : can u recommend any medicine for Acidity
Doctor : Since when are you having this problem?
Doctor : Have you used any medicines previously for this?
User : from last year, but it is not...
User : Hi
Doctor : hi how can i help you
User : Actually doctor, sometimes my throat choks..
User : I consulted an ENT
User : he says it may happens because of acidity..
User : sometimes i also get points of blood when i clean my...
User : hello
Doctor : Hi xxx, How can I help you?
User : i was wondering about some bleeding
Doctor : ok
Doctor : Where exactly is the bleeding from?
User : when i go to the bathroom theres blood in the toilet theres no pain and it turns...
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Public Forum (300) - Gastric acid
5 Answers
Ever since a car accident a week and 1/2 ago - I have been burping several times a day, several times a day. I am also suffering from acid reflux . I did receive several bruises internally and externally as vehicle I was in was hit from behind and pushed into the semi in front of me. I did have seat belt on. Could there be a correlation between...
1 Answer
Hi, i ve had reccurent thrush for 4 months now. went to my doctor and got clotimazole and antibiotic (ciprofl.). I had no discharge then, but after starting the medication , i got a thick, white (milk curds like) discharge. i got tested for diabetis, my levels were fine i.e 5.2. A day after i finished my antibiotic course, i started to get...
2 Answers
My husband has been experiencing dizzy spells and indigestion for the last two weeks, are they related to each other or a bigger problem ?
1 Answer
I am 42 yrs. I was experiencing pain in the upper stomach just below the chest .. mornings are usually fine.. discomfort appears before lunch time and after lunch.. on some days it continue till late evenings and after dinner I feel relaxed on most of the days.. however here were exceptions in the timings.. My doctor prescribed me Ganaton...
3 Answers
I was wondering if increased indigestion is an early sign of labor . I m 37 weeks, and today has just been an off day.. along with the horrible indigestion I have the spurts of being really weak and my hands will tremble.
1 Answer
siri m 24 yr oldi m lean thin weight60kg and height 68have a complain of a indigestion since 1 weekmy stool has come like mucus partially indigested and partially constipatedi cant gain weightsometimes there is a colicky like a pain around umbilicus and epigastric regionwhat should i do sir i m 24 yr old and i m lean thin weight60kg and height...
1 Answer
HI doc , for the past 2weeks I ve been feeling bloated here and there in my stomach. I also experience mild heart burn from time to time within these two weeks. In addition, my appetite goes up and down as well as my sleeping patterns. I took a HPT and it came out negative. Should I even consider the option of being pregnant or just schedule an...
1 Answer
I m 32 weeks and I had bad cramps earlier today and now my stomach feels like its going to burst and the baby has been moving like crazy which makes it hurt even worse also have horrible heartburn and rib pain . Do I need to worry? I m 32 weeks and I had bad cramps earlier today and now my stomach feels like its going to burst and the baby has...
1 Answer
My father-in law was suffering from indigestion problem for about five days, he is suffering with diabetes for 18 years, due to new medications he got some distension in his stomach, suggest me some useful tips or medications. [feeling heart burn irritation in stomach]
1 Answer
i have been vomiting for 4 days now. it isnt the usual running for a trash can or a toilet bowl either. i can keep liquids down and crackers occasionally. but my problem is after I try and eat I burp and my food comes up my throat (regurgitating?) i usually get a hot flash before i feel like im going to vomit, and i m wondering if this could be...
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