Bloating, burping, burning, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, infections, nausea, nutrient deficiencies, undigested food, an upset stomach - these are textbook symptoms of acid reflux, right? Not necessarily.
While it might make you want to reach for an antacid, this list of symptoms was actually taken from a description of low stomach acid - an antacid could actually make things worse!
It can be so easy to misinterpret these symptoms and come up with the wrong diagnosis; let’s dig into why that happens and how to avoid it.
Why are Gut Issues Easily Misdiagnosed?
One complication is the fact that many gut issues have very similar symptoms: GERD, reflux, low stomach acid, ulcers, dysbiosis (an imbalance of bacteria), food intolerances, and infections can all look alike at first glance.
GERD and stomach reflux are closely related but are not the same thing. Stomach reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a result of chronic stomach reflux where the esophagus becomes irritated. In both cases, the most common symptom is a burning sensation in the chest and up the throat, more commonly known as heartburn. However, low levels of stomach acid can also lead to the same sensation, sending doctors down the wrong path to diagnosis
We could also speculate that part of the problem lies in the structure of conventional medicine. For example, if your stomach is causing you problems, you would likely see a GI specialist. However, their skill set is focused on the functioning of your gastrointestinal tract, and not necessarily in the technicalities of underlying conditions that might manifest in your gut. In other words, that specialist could be trying to treat the symptoms while the real cause is left in the shadows.
What are Some Causes of Low Stomach Acid?
Hydrochloric acid (HCl), commonly known as stomach acid, is an essential secretion that breaks down and unravels proteins in food so that they can easily be digested. Stomach acid also plays a role in activating digestive enzymes, and protects against bacterial overgrowth.
The following conditions have been correlated with an increased risk of low stomach acid:
Old age, greater than the age of 65.
Long-term use of NSAIDs (painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen).
Autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s, Celiac disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Lupus. source
Chronic stress. We know full well how devastating chronic stress can be for us and that includes our gut health.
Deficiencies of zinc and B vitamins. These deficiencies can be caused by poor nutrition, smoking and alcohol consumption, chronic stress, and even from low stomach acid itself.
Antacids or medications for acid reflux.
It is also worth discussing the fact that low stomach acid can also create problems outside of the gut. Two common examples include skin problems, such as face and body acne, and fatigue (which is logical - if we are unable to properly digest our food, we won’t see the full benefit of its energy potential.)
Depending on the root cause of your low stomach acid, your complementary health practitioner would design a tailored gut protocol to restore your stomach acid levels and full digestive function.
What are Some Practical Takeaways?
None of this is to say that conventional doctors are to blame. There are gaps between traditional medicine and complementary practitioners which will take time to bridge. The gut is a very complex area; research is still developing and treatment options are not black and white.
The internet is full of ways to self-diagnose and treat gut conditions, including low stomach acid. However, gut problems can be very nuanced and can have their roots in infections, microbiome imbalances, autoimmune diseases, or even personal stress.
The best course of action is to see an integrative practitioner who can do thorough testing, assess the complete picture of your health, and design treatment based on one’s specific condition.