Stomach pain due to stomach acid

What is the function of stomach acid?

Stomach acid functions as an essential part of our digestive system in the breakdown of food, primarily proteins. If you experience problems digesting the food you have consumed, or if you have eaten too much, it can increase the secretion of stomach acid, just as high stress levels and alcohol can also cause too much stomach acid.

Stomach acid also plays a significant role in the digestive immune system by killing most of the bacteria we ingest through food, and in this way, stomach acid helps minimize the risk of gastrointestinal infections.

Source: Sundhed.dk

Too much stomach acid (hyperchlorhydria) and stress

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Stomach acid is produced in the stomach wall, and production is controlled partly by hormones (gastrin) and the nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system (automatic, involuntary) plays a significant role in the production of stomach acid. The autonomic nervous system seeks homeostasis, so that there is balance in the body.

A high level of stress will increase the sympathetic part (fight/flight) of the autonomic nervous system, which will lead to acutely increased secretion/production of stomach acid, while in the long term it will inhibit stomach acid and reduce digestion.

Stomach acid and back pain

​The body’s organs communicate with our brain through the autonomic nervous system via the spine. The body’s different organs thus communicate to different parts of the back in order for the signal to reach the brain.

The stomach and liver communicate via the thoracic spine, and if the stomach is irritated by excessive production of stomach acid, for example, it is natural that you may experience symptoms from the back, between the shoulder blades.

Similarly, the esophagus communicates with the upper part of the thoracic spine, and if the esophagus is irritated by acid reflux, there may also be symptoms from the upper part of the thoracic spine.

Problems with stomach acid?

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Symptoms of too much stomach acid

Some of the common symptoms of too much stomach acid production can include heartburn and acid reflux.
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Some will also experience a decreased appetite, possibly accompanied by nausea or vomiting. The stomach is located under the diaphragm, and it is normal for symptoms such as discomfort and pain to occur at the diaphragm due to too much stomach acid.

Typical symptoms are also bloating and a faster feeling of fullness.

​NOTE: several different heart-like symptoms often originate from the stomach due to stomach acid.

Source: Apoteket.dk

Stomach acid and hoarseness

​If there is reflux of stomach acid from the stomach into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux), it can lead to irritation/inflammation of the larynx (laryngitis). This can cause swelling around the vocal cords and/or irritate the vagus nerve (digestive nerve), which can cause hoarseness.

If you experience hoarseness as a result of acid reflux, it would be ideal to start by changing your diet and lifestyle.

Heartburn and nausea

​If stomach acid is produced excessively, it can cause stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus. If this continues for a long time, it can potentially cause damage to the esophagus. In some cases, this can result in swelling, coughing, and difficulty swallowing, with some experiencing nausea and possibly vomiting.

​Vasovagal response can also occur due to excessive stomach acid production. This can stimulate/irritate the vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve) and trigger a vagal response, which can cause various physical symptoms, including nausea.

Good advice for too much stomach acid

• Avoid fatty foods – read more in the next section
• Minimize strong and spicy foods
• Minimize coffee and other caffeinated drinks
• Avoid acidic drinks and alcohol
• Weight loss due to excess weight due to increased pressure from the stomach due to excess weight
• Avoid eating right before bed.
• Reduce stress
• Minimize acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and sour berries.
• Chew your food thoroughly and give yourself plenty of time to eat.
• Eat easily digestible foods during times of stress (for example during work hours) or drink smoothies or vegetable juices.

Foods that cause too much stomach acid

• Fast food, deep fried
• Fat food
• Strong and spicy food
• Carbonated drinks
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Alcohol
• Stress
• Also avoid excessively large meals.

Treatment of too much stomach acid

​Medical treatment for excessive stomach acid

Medical treatment for excessive stomach acid typically targets medications that neutralize antacids.

In principle, the medical antacid preparations will not cure the problem of excessive stomach acid production, but the medicine can temporarily remove the stomach acid that is the cause of pain and thus relieve the symptoms.

​​There are also medical preparations that are foaming and lie on top of the acidic stomach contents.

The use of foaming medication is intended to reduce the reflux of acidic stomach juice into the esophagus (heartburn).

If you have developed a stomach ulcer, there are also medications that give the stomach time to heal by inhibiting or reducing the production of stomach acid.

Too little (low) stomach acid (hypochlorhydria)

Just as too much stomach acid can lead to various problems, too little stomach acid production can also cause problems in the form of impaired digestion, reduced breakdown and absorption of nutrients from food, and an increased risk of infections.

​When we are stressed, our sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight) is activated, which causes a number of bodily autonomic (automated) reactions, which in relation to the stomach means that contractions of the stomach are reduced (peristalsis is reduced), the blood supply to the stomach is reduced, acid production is reduced and the opening between the stomach and the further passage to the duodenum is reduced.

​Thus, stress will overall reduce acid production in the long term and lead to digestive problems.

​Too little (low) stomach acid, especially caused by medication, is often the start of chronic stomach problems such as chronic intestinal inflammation (ex morbus crohn and ulcerative colitis). Stomach acid should act as a defense against bacteria such as e-coli from penetrating the intestinal system and causing chronic inflammation.

​In a prolonged state with too little stomach acid, persistent diarrhea will often be experienced, as diarrhea is the gastrointestinal system’s only way to get rid of bacteria that have escaped through the stomach acid into the stomach.

Reflux (acid reflux) and stomach acid

GERD – Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is the term for acid reflux. Acid reflux/heartburn is often a sign that there is acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. With high production of stomach acid, one of the accompanying symptoms will often be acid reflux or heartburn.

However, the main cause of acid reflux is most often not related to excessive production of stomach acid, but rather dysfunction of the closing function of the cardia (the sphincter muscle between the esophagus and stomach).

Source: Sundhed.dk

Osteopathic approach to stomach acid problems

The stomach is located on the left side of the body, under the respiratory muscle (diaphragm), and is even attached to it via ligaments. Furthermore, the stomach has an anatomical relationship to the first part of the duodenum and the liver and spleen.

Osteopathic treatment for excessive stomach acid may include:

• • Manual treatment around the stomach, peritoneum, and organs in relation to the stomach to ensure free movement of the structures, and thus optimal working conditions for the organs.

• • Contribute to the correction of elasticity/tension of the abdomen, as the back locking up can increase tension in the structures.

• • Correct the function and tension of the diaphragm (the breathing muscle) via neural links to the neck as well as mobility of the thoracic spine and ribs.

• • Optimize motility of the stomach to increase circulation and the function of intrinsic factor (including important for the absorption of vitamin B12).

• • Correction/optimization of pressure between the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

• • Cranio-sacral therapy with the aim of influencing the cranial nerves and central nervous system.

• • Normalization of tension in the sphincter muscles of the digestive tract.

• • Articulate stress issues and stress reduction when treating kidneys/adrenal glands, heart-lungs and circulation.

• • Lifestyle advice, including diet and physical activity.