Achlorhydria may sound like a minor health issue but it does have the potential to cause damage to the gastrointestinal system so it should be taken seriously.
The best achlorhydria definition is, the absence or reduced secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. When considering the question, what is achlorhydria, it is helpful to understand what hydrochloric acid is. Essentially, it is a major component of gastric acid, which is important for our immune system and for proper digestion of food.
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Doctors will often say that to really define achlorhydria, you need to point out that an absence or reduction in hydrochloric acid can be a sign of several different underlying health conditions. For instance, stomach cancer has been linked to achlorhydria.
Achlorhydria can happen to anyone at any age; however, it seems to be more common in older individuals.
Prevalence of achlorhydria
Achlorhydria prevalence is still under review but what we do know is that thus far, studies conducted in Europe report that it ranges from 1 to 4.7 percent in healthy individuals.
When it comes to gender there seems to be an equal prevalence; however, a lot of research points to impaired acid secretion at increased age. One study that looked at over one thousand patients, showed 19 percent achlorhydria in the fifth decade of life and 69 percent in the eighth decade of life. The increased rate was also linked to an increase in frequency of gastric cancer. Some experts suggest that such a finding could be explained by the higher incidence of H. Pylori in our older population.
Causes, risk factors and complications of achlorhydria
Achlorhydria causes can be attributed to a number of different factors, including those listed here:
- Hypothyroidism – a condition that slows down your metabolism, thus leading to a decrease in gastric acid production.
- Autoimmune disorders – some autoimmune disorders can impact production of stomach acid.
- H. Pylori infection – Helicobacter pylori infection can cause peptic ulcers. When untreated, the infection can reduce the production of gastric acid.
- Pernicious Anemia – antibodies direct against parietal cells in the lining of the stomach, which secrete gastric acid. Binding of the antibodies leads to malabsorption of vitamin B12.
- Atrophic Gastritis – this condition happens when gastric glands become atrophied.
- Stomach cancer – this type of cancer has been associated with achlorhydria. It can then be further aggravated by radiation therapy.
- Sjorgren’s Syndrome – this is an autoimmune disease that destroys many of the enzymes responsible for the production of moisture in the body.
- Surgery – weight loss surgeries, including gastric bypass, can alter how the body handles food. Often it leads to a decrease in stomach acid.
- Medications – Overuse of antacids or proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s) that are supposed to reduce heartburn and acid reflux, can actually lead to achlorhydria.
Some risk factors for achlorhydria overlap with potential causes. To sum it up, risk factors include: being over 60 years old, having an autoimmune disease, prior gastric surgery, a history of H. Pylori infection, having elevated levels of gastrin in the blood (Hypergastrinemia), and gastric carcinoid (tumors).
There are some complications that can arise with achlorhydria. Iron deficiency and B12 deficiency, which can happen with this condition, make bones weak, which of course can lead to fractures. Another complication is something called, intestinal metaplasia. This is when the tissue of the stomach and esophagus change into tissue that is found in the intestine. It is called, Barrett’s esophagus.
When there is no acid being produced in the stomach, bacterial overgrowth can also occur. This is something that can lead to H. pylori infection. If the infection causes peptic ulcers it can lead to micronutrient deficiencies and neurological problems, including changes in vision, mood, as well as weakness in the arms and legs.
What are the symptoms of achlorhydria?
So how would you know if you had achlorhydia? Often it is the symptoms that prompt people to seek medical attention, which then leads to a diagnosis. Below we outline the common achlorhydria symptoms.
- Abdominal bloating
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Acid reflux
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Weak, brittle nails
- Hair loss
- Undigested food in stools
- Other digestive problems
- Weight loss
- Feeling full after a few bites of food
- Headache, dizziness, or lightheaded (sign of iron deficiency)
As we alluded to earlier, achlorhydria can increase the risk of experiencing iron deficiency. A lack of stomach acids makes it hard for the body to absorb iron. Other vitamins and minerals may also rely of an adequate amount of stomach acid for absorption, including calcium, vitamin C and vitamin D.
How to diagnose achlorhydria?
An achlorhydria diagnosis involves a thorough review of medical history to identify any existing conditions or any illness, such as infection that might be linked to symptoms. There are also some routine tests that are usually ordered, including those listed below:
- Haemoglobin Estimation – a decrease in haemoglobin could mean vitamin B12 or iron deficiency, which could be linked to achlorhydria.
- Stomach biopsy – a biopsy that looks for the absence of parietal cell-containing oxyntic glands, which could indicate achlorhydria.
- Intragastric pH Measurement – normal PH of the stomach secretions is about 1.5 but 6.0 could be a sign of achlorhydria.
- Gastric Acid Secretion test – this achlorhydria test measures the amount of gastric juices produced by the stomach.
- Intrinsic Factor Antibodies – these antibodies are detectable in serum of those who have gastric atrophy and pernicious anemia, which are linked to reduced stomach acid.
- H. Pylori tests – a urea breath test, a rapid urease test, and a stool antigen test can detect H. Pylori. There is also a molecular test that can detect infection due to H. Pylori.
How to treat achlorhydria?
Achlorhydria treatment focuses on the exact cause of the condition. Some of the various approaches are described here, in brief.
- H. Pylori infection – these infections tend to respond to antibiotic treatment. In most cases, it involves taking the medication ten to 14 days. Some people will require a second dose.
- Pernicious Anemia – injections of vitamin B12 has been known to reverse the symptoms of achlorhydria.
- Bacterial Overgrowth – can be treated with antibiotics
- Excessive use of PPI – discontinuation of the drug can alleviate symptoms and hydrochloric acid supplements can also help correct achlorhydria.
- Surgery – this is often the approach for carcinoid tumors.
Home remedies for achlorhydria
If you suspect you are suffering from achlorhydria, it is important to see a doctor; however, when a diagnosis is made, it is worth keeping in mind that in addition to medical treatment approaches, there are some achlorhydria natural treatment options. Check out the list below.
- Herbs – grapefruit seed, oregano oil, and enteric-coated peppermint oil are believed to help in overcoming bacterial overgrowth. Garlic may also help.
- Ginger Tea – ginger is known to improve digestion and decrease abdominal bloating.
- Multivitamin – multivitamins and supplements can be used to correct imbalances in the gut that are linked to achlorhydria and malabsorption.
- Bitter herbs – some alternative practitioners suggest that bitter herbs stimulate the stomach and therefore create more acid and digestive enzymes. Dandelion and gentian are examples of bitter herbs.
- Peppermint – it has the ability to aid digestion due to its gastric-acid-producing properties.
Prevention and prognosis of achlorhydria
While there really aren’t any preventive strategies for achlorhydria, you might say that there are some secondary steps that can be considered. For example, prevention of H. Pylori is possible through improvement in sanitation and effective antibiotic treatments. Alcohol abuse and excessive use of anti-inflammatory drugs have been linked to H. Pylori so controlling use of these substances could help. If there was some way to lower the number of gastric surgeries, this too could limit atrophy and thus the number of achlorhydria cases.
Achlorhydria prognosis is hard to pinpoint since there are various causes and conditions involved. Gastric cancer, bacterial overgrowth, and hip fracture have all been associated with increased mortality and morbidity in relation to achlorhydria.
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Since some of the symptoms of achlorhydria can be associated with various health problems, it is important not to jump to conclusions. It is true that in some cases, it will take a while for the doctor to determine a true cause for your symptoms. In the case of H. Pylori, treatment can include more than one series of antibiotics and regular check-ins with a healthcare provider to determine if the infection has gone away.
If you have already received a diagnosis of achlorhydria and have started treatment, talk to a doctor before adding any natural remedies to the mix. While in many cases, it will be perfectly fine to include natural approaches; some may conflict with conventional treatments.
Related: Burning Sensation in Stomach: Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies
