Hyperchlorhydria
It all begins with an idea.
The Graph indicates the excess production of Hydrochloric Acid (HCL). This condition may cause Delayed, or Marked-delayed, emptying time of the stomach’s contents. In many cases, Patients with Delayed and Marked-delayed emptying, will retain food in their stomachs for 6 to 24 hours, or much longer in many cases. A Patient that has Fasted may have stomach acid level of pH 1.0 or lower–toward pure Acid, but not in all cases. The Alkaline Challenge can be accurately administered to a patient that has a fasting acid level of pH 0.0 up to pH 5.5.
When the Patients Parietal Cell are challenged with an alkaline drink we measure the time that it takes to return from the Alkaline, or Neutralized state, back to the Acid side. This determines normal Parietal Cell performance. The standard Alkaline challenge must be administered 2 or 3 additional times, and show a rapid returns (10 minutes or less) to acid levels, which verifies that the Patient is Hyperchlorhydric. The Alkaline challenge (standard: 5 cc saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate) is essential to determine the “fasting” stomach acid levels, Reacidification Time, and Parietal Cells’ capacities. Regarding the “pushing” of their highly-acid meals through into the Duodenum: The emptied or ‘pushed-through’ food will be heavy on the acid side, which will stimulate the Duodenal production of Pancreatin and Liver Bile.
However, the Duodenal buffering capacities cannot, volume wise, elevate the pH of the “pushed-through” foods (now highly saturated with HCL) to the normal Physiologic pH level into the Small Intestine. The stomach-exit pH range (under this condition) will be approximately pH 1.5 to 2.8 (rather than an optimal pH 4.0 to pH 4.5). The Small Intestine normal-to-ideal pH range would be pH 5.8 to 7.0 at this point.
One example of a delayed stomach emptying is a person who has a normal breakfast, becomes hungry at noon, orders lunch, and then has trouble eating because his stomach is full…the breakfast is still there! (And it really is, still there.) The acid condition of the food at the Duodenal Exit Region now becomes an irritant against a mucous membrane that ideally, should be ‘climbing’ close (in time) to the Neutral (pH 7.0) range. This causes incomplete Digestion,as described before, with accompanying Gas, Belching, Bloating, Flatulence and Irritable Bowels.
Hypochlorhydria
It all begins with an idea.
Many people, in the process of aging, develop various stages of Hypochlorhydria; however, it is not confined to this aging group. Many young people also develop this problem. Bear in mind that the presence of HCL in the stomach generally inhibits (slows down or stops) the reflex of “rapid-dumping” of foods out of the stomach, rendering the critical First Stage of Digestion partially or totally incomplete. Also, HCL performs a natural sterilization of the foods that we swallow. This is quite important, because nothing that we eat is sterile.
In the pre-digestion phase of the stomach, HCL, Pepsin, certain Enzymes, plus the Intrinsic Factor, which is essential for the absorption of Vitamin B-12, play key rolls in the conversion processes of Proteins to Amino Acids and Starches to Sugars that can be utilized by our bodies (in conjunction with the Duodenal, 2nd Phase of Digestion).
Many Allergies can be traced to Patients with Hypochlorhydria. The lack of these intricate pre-digestion processes, cause many of these undigested Proteins to become Allergens. These Allergens often develop into bizarre effects (Allergic Reactions) upon millions of people throughout the world. Medically controlled desensitizing (‘Allergy shots’) is often very helpful, especially against airborne Allergens. Generally speaking, Hypochlorhydria Patients seem to be more prone to Allergies, other ailments, and “premature dumping” of the stomachs contents into the Duodenum (which helps “set the stage” for undigested Proteins). Gas, Belching, Bloating, common to Hyperchlorhydria and “G.I. Spasm” are very often equally present in Hypochlorhydria giving confusing signals.
The second form of Hypochlorhydria is Hidden Hypo. When the pH Capsule enters a fasting stomach the pH level may be on the Acid Side with a level of 1.2 pH or more. When challenged with the 5 c.c.s of Saturated Solution of Sodium Bicarbonate, the stomach will neutralize close to pH7.0 or higher (toward 8.0) and may not come back down into the Acid range for several hours, sometimes longer. These patients have a “Hidden” Hypochlorhydria.
Achlorhydria
It all begins with an idea.
Patients with Achlorhydria May Have a form of Pernicious Anemia. This will also show in a routine Blood test. When the Anemia is corrected the stomachs Parietal Function will generally return to Normal. Always check to see if blood work has been done recently. One of the predominant conditions of Patients that are HIV Positive (AID’s) is Acute Hypochlorhydria, and Achlorhydria in the later stages.
The Heidelberg Diagnostic System can be used to determine the correct amount and type of medication necessary to bring the First Stage of Digestion back to its optimum level, for good conversion and absorption. The Heidelberg Diagnostic System will not cure HIV Positive Patients, but it can be be used to increase the quality of life for these Patients.
Pyloric Insufficiency
It all begins with an idea.
The Pylorus is a ring like muscle or muscular sphincter the opens and closes to allow the nutrient of the stomach to pass through into the small bowel for absorption. The Pyloric sphincter is located at the lower end of the stomach opening into the duodenum.
When nutrients enter the stomach peristaltic activity (contractions) increases. The chemical composition of food influences the rate of digestion: lipid rich (fatty) meals take longer to digest than carbohydrate meals. The pyloric sphincter holds the food in the stomach until sterilization, conversion and emulsification is complete. The pyloric sphincter does not completely close. It leaves and opening of approximately 3 to 5 cm, just enough to allow fluids to exit out of the stomach.
Control of the sphincter is accomplished by the Vagus nerve and the autonomic and parasympathetic nervous system. These systems cause various hormones to be delivered to the sphincter. Gastrin one of the hormones maintains the tone of the pyloric sphincter and regulates gastric secretion, it also increases peristalsis. Cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon inhibit the closure of the sphincter.
Pyloric insufficiency or patulousness of the pyloric sphincter may be caused by one or more of the following factors:
A genetic defect in the sphincter or in the Vagus nerve control.
The lack or deficiency of the hormone Gastrin.
Ulceration of the sphincter.
Scar tissue on the sphincter from previous ulceration.
When the pyloric sphincter does not close properly, due to any of the above, neutral or alkaline fluids from the duodenum will regurgitate back into the stomach and cause the gastric fluids to quickly become alkaline. Nutrients in the stomach will not get the full benefit of sterilization and conversion, necessary for proper absorption in the small bowel. In many instances the lack of Gastrin will result in esophageal reflux of the gastric fluids, because Gastrin also maintains the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter.
A Heidelberg Diagnostic test will inform the doctor that pyloric insufficiently is present during testing.