Achlorhydria

Clinical Information Gastrin is a peptide hormone produced by mucosal G cells of the gastric antrum. It is synthesized as preprogastrin and then cleaved to progastrin, which undergoes several posttranslational modifications, particularly, sulfation. It is finally processed into the mature 34-amino acid, gastrin-34. Gastrin-34 may be cleaved further into the shorter 17-amino acid, gastrin-17. Either may be secreted as a C-terminal amidated or unamidated isoform. A number of additional, smaller gastrin fragments, as well as gastrin molecules with atypical posttranslational modifications (eg, absent sulfation), may also be secreted in small quantities. Gastrin's half-life is short, 5 minutes for amidated gastrin-17, and 20 to 25 minutes for amidated gastrin-34. Elimination occurs through peptidase cleavage and renal excretion. Gastrin-17 I (nonsulfated form) and gastrin-17 II (sulfated) appear equipotent. Their biological effects are chiefly associated with the amidated isoforms and consist of promotion of gastric epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation to acid-secreting cells, direct promotion of acid secretion, and indirect stimulation of acid production through histamine release. In addition, gastrin stimulates gastric motility and release of pepsin and intrinsic factor. Most gastrin isoforms with atypical posttranslational modifications and most small gastrin fragments display reduced or absent bioactivity. This assay measures predominately gastrin-17. Larger pr...

Continuing Education Activity Achlorhydria is a condition in which the stomach does not produce hydrochloric acid, one of the components of gastric acid. Hydrochloric acid plays an integral role in the digestion of food and protects the body from pathogens ingested with food or water. This activity reviews the presentation, evaluation, and management of achlorhydria and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in caring for patients affected by it. Objectives: • Describe the pathophysiology of achlorhydria. • Summarize the causes of achlorhydria. • Review the complications associated with achlorhydria. • Explain interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication to advance the evaluation and management of achlorhydria and optimize outcomes. Introduction Gastric acid is the fluid secreted by the stomach. It is composed of hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, and sodium chloride. Hydrochloric acid playsan integral part in the digestion of food and protects our body against pathogens ingested with food or water.The parietal cells lining the stomach are mainly involved in its production. Achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria refers to conditions in which the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomachis respectively absent or reduced. It is usually secondary to an underlying medical condition. Etiology Multiple disorders can cause achlorhydria. • Pernicious anemia (anti-parietal and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies): It is an autoimmune...

Achlorhydria can occur in men and women of all ages, races and ethnic groups. Older people are especially susceptible to this condition. Data on the prevalence of achlorhydria in the Indian population is very scanty. With reference to pernicious anemia, resulting from malabsorption of vitamin B 12 the prevalence of achlorhydria is 5-10% on the Schilling test. The stomach is a muscular digestive organ located on the left side of the upper abdomen. It receives food from the esophagus or food pipe that enters through the esophageal sphincter. The stomach wall consists of three layers of muscles (longitudinal, circular and oblique) that help to mix the food with the gastric juices, consisting of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes that help to digest the food. The inner side of the stomach is folded into muscular ridges called rugae that help to churn the food and convert it into a paste like consistency known as chyme. This chyme passes into the next part of the digestive tract called the duodenum for further digestion. The flow of chyme is regulated by the pyloric sphincter, located at the junction of the stomach and duodenum. The major causes of achlorhydria include the following: • Pernicious Anemia: In this condition, antibodies are directed against the parietal cells of the lining of the stomach, which secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor. Binding of the antibodies to intrinsic factor results in malabsorption of vitamin B 12, giving rise to pernicious anemi...

Low stomach acid or Hypochlorhydria is a deficiency of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. While excess stomach acid is commonly believed to cause indigestion, these days, it is being more readily accepted that low levels of stomach acid may actually be the cause. Stomach acid is made up of hydrochloric acid or HCL, enzymes, and a mucus coating that protects the lining of your stomach. Hydrochloric acid (HCL) helps your body break down, digest, and absorb nutrients such as protein and fat and having the proper levels helps eliminates harmful bacteria, yeast and viruses that hitch a ride on the foods we eat and cause many GI problems. Transcript Jan 2021 In today’s video, I want to review some of the causes of Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria). In previous videos I have talked about Symptoms of low stomach acid, natural treatment options for low stomach, I have talked about how to test for low stomach acid and while all of these are important- it equally important to understand what’s actually causing low stomach acid. How do you try to fix something if you don’t know what the cause is. Hydrochloric acid helps your body to break down, digest, and absorb nutrients such as protein. It also eliminates bacteria and viruses in the stomach. Left untreated, low stomach acid can cause damage to the gastrointestinal (GI) system, cause Low Stomach Acid Is Also Associated With A Number Of Chronic Health Conditions, Including: • Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) • Pernicious ...

х All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible. We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter. Achlorhydria is a disorder in which gastric cells do not produce hydrochloric acid. With this disease, there is a significant digestive disorder and a sharp deterioration in the state of health, but in some cases the disease occurs without any symptoms (a person may be burdened by eructations, heaviness after eating, and upset of the stool). To date, there are no effective methods of treatment, mainly substitution therapy is prescribed. With achlorhydria, many organs of the digestive system are disrupted. Achlorhydria is functional and organic. Functional arises from the disruption of regulation of gastric secretion, organic achlorhydria develops with cancer tumors, gastritis, benign lesions in the stomach and other diseases in which the glandular apparatus changes. Functional ahlogidry has a reversible character, whereas with organic there is an irreversible lesion of the cells of the stomach. Causes Achlorhydria develops as a result of a breakdown in the synthesis of hydrochloric acid, w...

Achlorhydria occurs when there’s an absence of hydrochloric (HCl) acids in the stomach. It’s a more severe form of a hypochlorhydria, a deficiency of stomach acids. Both conditions can impair the digestive process and lead to damage of the gastrointestinal system. Without stomach acid, your body won’t properly break down protein. You’ll also be more susceptible to gastrointestinal infections. Get custom essays HCl acids break down our food and activate digestive enzymes that dissolve proteins and other nutrients. It also helps kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the stomach, protecting you from infection and disease. Left untreated, achlorhydria and hypochlorhydria can have life-threatening consequences. Symptoms of achlorhydria Achlorhydria can increase your risk of developing iron deficiency anemia. Without stomach acids, the body will have issues absorbing iron. Other vitamins and minerals such a calcium, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin D also rely on adequate stomach acid for their absorption into the digestive tract. If diagnosed with achlorhydria, doctors often check for anemia. Other achlorhydria symptoms can include: • abdominal bloating • indigestion • nausea • acid reflux • digestive issues • diarrhea • weak, brittle nails • hair loss • undigested food in stools Without adequate stomach acid, bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine can occur. Achlorhydria complications can also lead to malabsorption, a condition that prevents your small intestine from...