Heavy Mucus

Mucus is a viscous slippery substance that consists of mucin, water, and inorganic salts, secreted by the cells and glands of the mucous membranes. In the stomach and intestines it lubricates the passage of food and protects the stomach and intestinal lining.

When the mucus becomes heavy and discolored it is categorized as phlegm. Heavy mucus in the stomach is caused by infection, ulceration, and allergic reactions. Heavy mucus or phlegm can also be caused by infections in the nasal cavities that drain down into the stomach.
Heavy mucus can cause bad breath, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. When testing with the Heidelberg Diagnostic system if Heavy Mucus or phlegm is indicated, it is in virtually all cases an indication of infection, or ulceration. Gastroenteritis is a catch all term for many types of bacterial infections, like H. Pylori, Campylobacter, E. Coli, Staphylococcus, Candida, etc. When Heavy Mucus is diagnosed it is recommended that the patient be tested for bacterial infection or ulcers.
When testing for the various digestive disorders with the Heidelberg Diagnostic system a doctor can easily determine if there is heavy mucus in the stomach.

Gastritis

Helicobacter Pylori, the cork-screwed shaped bacteria has been associated with most cases of human Gastritis. H. Pylori are considered the most popular cause for Peptic and Duodenal Ulcers and can set the stage for gastric carcinoma. Hypochlorhydria or Achlorhydria will set the Stage for increased risk of infection from organisms such as Candida or yeast and H. Pylori. These Organisms are directly associated to Chronic Gastritis, Peptic Ulcers and stomach Cancer. Hypochlorhydria will result in poor Protein breakdown, and subsequent poor absorption of Amino Acids.

Unfortunately, people with reduced Acid levels in the stomach frequently suffer from what they assume is elevated stomach Acid (Reflux, Heartburn, Bloating, Nausea, Frequent Burping), and as a result they often take acid-lowering drugs and medications. These symptoms are similar in both Hyperchlorhydria(the over production of HCL) and Hypochlorhydria (the reduced production of HCL).

Physicians assume that their Patients with Reflux are overproducing HLC, and prescribe Acid reducing medications, when in fact the Patient is deficient in HCL production. Reducing the bodies HCL production encourages fungal and bacterial infection. It will also increase the risk of developing Peptic, or Duodenal, Ulcers, Pancreatic/Gastric Cancer, and Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma. H. Pylori infections can also lead to some forms of Arthritis (Calcification, Spurs), Iron-deficiency Anemia and Vitamin B-12 deficiency that may develop as a result of lower stomach acid levels and damage to the Parietal Cells, which produce the Intrinsic Factor. H. Pylori bacteria are further implicated with Heart Disease/ Arteriosclerosis, Atrial Fibrillation, Asthma, Rosacea, Gum Disease, and Chronic Headaches or migraines.

H. Pylori may be inhibited by balancing the stomach pH, provided this is done before the damage is done by the H. Pylori Bacteria. People that maintain a properly pH Balance in the stomach (1.0 to 1.8 pH) are generally asymptomatic, and do not get ulcers, unless they are taking specific drugs especially antibiotics and acid reducing medications (PPIs), or they supplement too much Calcium or Magnesium, which in turn can move the stomach to the neutral or alkaline side, setting the stage for bacterial infection. Many Patients who have been cured of H. Pylori will continue to complain about stomach problems, this is mainly the result of low stomach Acid that has not been corrected as part of their overall treatment. The reoccurrence of H. Pylori infection is common in patients with Hypochlorhydria.

Fresh Gastric Ulcers

A Gastric Ulcer is defined as a hole in the lining of the Stomach corroded by the acidic digestive juices that are secreted by the stomachs parietal cells.
There are several causes for the onset of gastric ulceration. Thinning the mucus layer in the stomach allow the proliferation of H. Pylori bacteria. The corkscrew shaped bacterium is dormant in the stomach, of many people, as long as there is sufficient mucus barrier to hide in and the presences of sufficiently strong hydrochloric acid. The bacterium is the most common cause of ulcers worldwide. H. Pylori infection may be acquired from contaminated food and water, or through person to person contact.
The over production of Hydrochloric acid, and life style have a definite effect on the incidents of gastric ulceration. Stress is one of the major contributors to the formation of gastric ulceration. Diet also has an effect on the formation of ulcers. Highly acidic foods, soft drinks, smoking, sugar, contribute to the onset of ulcers.
The over use of H2 antagonist medications, or Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs.) will allow the onset of the bacteria, because they stop the production of Hydrochloric acid. The use of mucus reducing medications also contributes to the onset of gastric ulcers. If left untreated ulcers can result in gastric carcinoma.

Dumping Syndrome

Dumping Syndrome is classified as a gastrointestinal disorder. It is also referred to as rapid gastric emptying of the stomach’s contents.

The early symptoms associated with dumping syndrome are most common during a meal or within 15 to 30 minutes following a meal. The symptoms are:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal Cramps

• Diarrhea

• Flushing

• Dizziness, Lightheadedness

Later symptoms that may occur one to three hours, or more after eating, are primarily due to dumping large amounts of sugars (sucrose or fructose) into the small bowel (hyperglycemia), resulting in the release of large amounts of insulin (hypoglycemia). The symptoms are:

• Sweating

• Hunger

• Dizziness, lightheadedness

• Confusion

• Heart Palpitations, rapid heart rate

Dumping syndrome is a common occurrence in people that have undergone bariatric surgery procedures, involving gastric bypass of the stomach.

Dumping syndrome is very common in people that have Hypochlorhydria or Achlorhydria. Hypochlorhydria andAchlorhydria will cause reflex dumping of the stomach contents, more commonly known as Dumping Syndrome. The pyloric sphincter, on average, will start to relax and dump the contents of the stomach when the strength of the gastric fluid is at pH 4.0 to 4.5.

Dumping syndrome will result in reduced sterilization, conversion and emulsification of the nutrients consumed. Raw nutrients are dumped into the small bow resulting in allergic reactions, like the symptoms listed above. Premature or rapid dumping of the stomach contents results in reduced absorption of the necessary vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients necessary to support the immune system and overall body functions. The poor conversion of nutrients will result in excessive weight gain and is another symptom of the Hypochlorhydria.