What lowers the pH value?

The pH value is too low if there is too much acid. Gastric acidity (hyperacidity) can occur when the cells in the stomach glands produce too much gastric acid. An increased production of gastric acid lowers the pH value.

An unhealthy diet, caffeine, smoking and stress also lead to hyperacidity of the stomach, so that the pH value decreases. The caffeine from coffee and the nicotine from cigarettes stimulate the stomach wall cells to produce more acid. This causes the pH value in the stomach to decrease.

Furthermore, it is often said that “stress hits my stomach”. It is said that stress can cramp the stomach. In this way, the production of gastric acid is stimulated.

The stomach acid increases, the pH value in the stomach decreases and complaints such as heartburn occur. In addition, colonization of the stomach mucosa with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori can lead to increased acid formation in the stomach. Infection with this bacterium often causes gastritis and increases the risk of developing an ulcer in the stomach.

If the stomach is over-acidified for a short time, this usually does not cause any discomfort or consequences. If, however, there is an increased production of gastric acid over a longer period of time, the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum can suffer. The damage to the stomach lining can cause symptoms such as acidic belching, heartburn, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite.

An acute inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) or an ulcer can be behind this. In the case of a gastric ulcer (ulcus ventriculi), the mucous membrane is damaged in one place. Excessive production of gastric acid is often responsible for the development of an ulcer.An ulcer develops when the cell protection of the stomach lining and the stomach acid are no longer in balance.

If the mucous membrane is not sufficiently protected from the acid or there is simply far too much acid in the stomach, the mucous membrane can become diseased and develop an ulcer. Long-term consequences such as inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and stomach ulcers can often be prevented with a healthy lifestyle (balanced diet, if possible abstaining from nicotine and alcohol). In the case of other disorders or Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis, drugs such as proton pump inhibitors may be indicated to relieve symptoms and prevent worse. This topic might also be of interest to you: Symptoms of a peptic ulcer