Is it possible to have something wrong with your digestive tract and not know it? ABSOLUTELY! So often when something is "normal" for someone they have no idea that something isn't working as it should. Find out how to fix your gut distress.
Here are the top symptoms to look for:
Bloating after eating
Belching or gas after eating
Heartburn or acid reflux
Nausea
Bad breath (halitosis)
No taste/appetite for meat
Sense of fullness after meals
Feel better if you don’t eat
Stomach pains or cramps
Diarrhea, chronic or after eating
Undigested food in stool
Constipation
Anemia unresponsive to iron
Fingernails chip or peel
These are all indicative of hypochlorhydria aka low stomach acid. You may be thinking, "How in the heck do I have low stomach acid when I'm dealing with heartburn and acid reflux?" I know, I know it sounds crazy! But when you understand the why behind your symptoms it all will make sense. The pH of your stomach should be highly acidic, we're talking a pH of 1.5-3. It's not a matter of too much stomach acid that is causing your heartburn or reflux. The problem is when you don't have enough.
Let me paint a picture... Take a meal, now throw it in a blender and to help with the breakdown spit some saliva in it. Blend it all up and let it bake at 98 degrees for a few hours. What do you think will happen? The food begins to rot and gases begin to build up. The same thing happens in the stomach of someone that has low stomach acid. The gases build up until they put so much pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and it cracks open. Now the acid that should only be in the stomach is escaping into the the esophagus, causing unpleasant symptoms.
*SIDE NOTE: There are some people that have structural issues with the LES and a hiatal hernia that will also contribute to this. If you are one of those people, find a massage therapist or a chiropractor that specializes in visceral manipulation. In some cases, surgical repair is needed.
Many clients are shocked when they start supplementing with a supplement containing hydrochloric acid and their symptoms start resolving. I was one myself! I was diagnosed with GERD & hiatal hernia after an endoscopy. I had been having issues with food for awhile. Everything made me feel sick when I ate and then I had the reflux on top of it. Instead of taking the PPI the G.I. doc gave me, I started supporting actually digestive function with a supplement containing HCl. It was a game changer! I was able to avoid further damaging my digestive system with PPIs. If you would like to learn how to get started on fixing your gut and digestion, check out the Essential Reading section of my site menu. Under Gut Health is a PDF labeled HCL Challenge for Optimal Digestion. It has links to my most recommended digestive supplements and instructions on how to dose with them.
*DISCLAIMER: If you have been on PPIs for sometime, you may be in need of soothing repair before trying to support acid levels. DO NOT stop taking your PPIs cold turkey as this can cause severe consequences. They will need to be tapered down over time under the guidance of your prescribing physician.
*This is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only!