What for in a stomach hydrochloric acid.

The concentration of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice is small - about 0.5%. This is enough to provide an acidic environment, on average from 1 to 2.5 pH. Hydrochloric acid is so aggressive that if it were not for the protective layer on the mucosa, it could digest the entire stomach.

Hydrochloric acid performs three important functions in the stomach: it helps to break down nutrients, activate enzymes and crack down on pathogens.

Neighboring organs - esophagus and duodenum - "stomach acid" can not stand, and therefore acquired special protection mechanisms. In the duodenum, hydrochloric acid is rapidly neutralized by bicarbonates, which are contained in the bile, and the esophagus is protected from the reverse casting of the gastric contents by a special sphincter that is located on the border with the stomach. When this sphincter, for one reason or another, does not work efficiently, the acid enters the esophagus and heartburn occurs.

When Heartburn Occurs.

Heartburn is a symptom that occurs in many diseases, not all of them are associated with the stomach.

One of the most common causes - gastroesophageal reflux disease, abbreviated - GERD. It arises because of different factors, often against the background of the diaphragmatic hernia - a condition in which part of the stomach rises through the opening in the diaphragm upward, into the thoracic cavity, resulting in the esophageal-gastric sphincter ceasing to cope with its functions.

Often, GERD becomes a woman's companion during pregnancy, when the enlarged uterus lifts the abdomen.

Heartburn can accompany gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, impaired pancreatic function. Akhalasia is a condition in which the esophageal-gastric sphincter does not shrink to the end and can not prevent the hydrochloric acid uptake.

Sometimes heartburn indicates a malignant tumor of the stomach or esophagus.

Not every heartburn - from diseases of the digestive system Panic attacks are conditions in which a person experiences strong causeless fear. During an attack, a variety of symptoms can occur, including heartburn and chest pain.

Sometimes the esophagus is affected by scleroderma - a systemic disease of connective tissue, in which the skin, vessels and internal organs grow tissue resembling scar. There is difficulty in swallowing, discomfort, pain, burning in the chest.

What is dangerous heartburn?.

Hydrochloric acid, which penetrates the esophagus, not only causes unpleasant symptoms - it damages the cells of the mucosa. If this happens occasionally, it usually does not threaten anything.. Chronic heartburn can lead to a condition known as Barrett's esophagus. It develops in every tenth person suffering from GERD, and manifests itself in the form of a change in the cells of the mucosa - they become like cells that are characteristic of the stomach and intestine. In 1% of cases Barrett's esophagus leads to cancer.

Repeated chemical burns of the mucous membrane lead to esophagitis (inflammation), ulcers, after healing of which there are scars, narrowing the lumen of the organ. Possible severe bleeding.

Heartburn or heart?.

Sometimes "heartburn" is in fact an attack of angina or even myocardial infarction. The heart and stomach are separated by a diaphragm, nevertheless they are very close to each other, therefore the symptoms of their diseases are often easily confused. Sometimes the "pain in the heart", which makes you desperately swallow corvalol, is actually talking about gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. Sometimes, on the contrary, in the form of heartburn, nausea, and abdominal pain, a non-typical heart attack.

To guard and get an ambulance to call for symptoms such as:.

severe pain in the chest, which gives into the hand;.

pallor, cold sticky sweat;.

dyspnea;.

dizziness.

nedug. en.

Keywords:.