Gastric acid is a substance secreted by the stomach, which helps in the digestion process. If you have too much or too little stomach acid, digestive diseases will occur. Find out how you can test your stomach acid levels. Too little acid in the stomach can lead to chronic diseases and stomach cancer. Not only hyperacidity leads to stomach burns, but also gastric hypo acidity.
Under these conditions, it is important to tell if your stomach is working normally and produces enough acid. Visiting a doctor is mandatory if you feel you have digestive problems, but there is also a simple method you can do it at home to see if you have enough acid.
The test that measures the stomach acid levels
To perform this test, you must mix 1/4 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate with 150 ml of lukewarm water. Drink the solution obtained in the morning on the empty stomach. Sodium bicarbonate and gastric acid in the stomach will create a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide. So, in a few minutes, you should erupt to remove the dioxide.
If your stomach produces enough gastric acid, the eructation should occur in two, three minutes. You’ll have to keep an eye on your watch. If you do not eliminate carbon dioxide in five minutes, you probably have too little gastric acid. For safer results, the test should be repeated three consecutive mornings.
Gastric hypoacidity is accompanied by other symptoms, such as bloating, feeling full after each meal, digestion problems, diarrhea or constipation, as well as allergies to certain foods. Sometimes causes nausea, nail exfoliation, fungal infections, acne, anemia and hair loss. It is not also advisable to have too much acid, and the symptoms are similar to those who tell you that you have too little stomach acid. The most common signs are bloating, flatulence and stomach burns.