Question

Analyze the possibilities nutritional consequences of achlorhydria in the edentulous elderly client and suggest possible interventions.

Answer 1

Achlorhydria is the medical term for lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. people with low stomach acid mAY experience issues regarding digestion, nutritional deficiencies and gastrointestinal infections. But from treatment can prevent serious complications. An individual with lack of hydrochloric acid a is someone who is unable to produce enough hydrochloric acid. Now stomach acid along with several other enzymes helps to break down food. other functions of this acid include adding the body in absorbing certain nutrients like protein and B12 and killing bacteria and other pathogens. Achlorhydria is the main change in the stomach with age. And typically people over 65 years old are the most at risk. Stress is also a factor. Medications like long term use of antacids or other medications for acid reflux or heartburn may actually decrease the body's production of stomach acid as well. Doctors often prescribe medication is called proton pump inhibitors and that is to treat reflux. And this can actually result in low stomach acid. Zinc deficiency given that zinc is needed to produce stomach acid could also result in low stomach acid production. Symptoms of achlorhydria include bloating, diarrhoea burping, gas, hair loss, heartburn, intestinal infections, nausea while taking supplements, nutritional deficiencies, weak fingernails and there is link between achlorhydria and several medical conditions like anemia, asthma and autoimmune disorders.

These patience experience gas 1 to 2 hours after eating, get bloated after eating that last for few hours, several burps shortly after finishing or burps later that taste and smell bad and heavy feeling in the stomach like the food just sits there fermenting.
Consequences are:
1. Failure to digest food properly
2. Failure to absorb trace elements and vitamins causing the acceleration of aging process and neurodegenerative disorders.
3. Failure to sterilize the stomach contents
4. Allergy to gut microbes
5. Fermenting brain causing hyperactivity and psychotic disorders
6. Increase the risk of stomach cancer
7. Malabsorption of vitamin B12
8. Anemia

For diagnosis of the condition, the acidity of the stomach is worth testing and typically do that with a small capsule that contains a transmitter. Basically on swallowing the capsule doctors measure the acidity of the stomach using pH scale. pH value of three to 5 typical suggest achlorhydria. Whereas pH level of less than three indicates normal stomach acid levels.

For treatment doctors may prescribe HCl supplements which is basically just hydrochloric acid and provided feel better whilst taking those. This can be treated by making some dietary change. Ideally avoid foods that are hard to digest like things that are deep fried and super high in fat. Also it is worth chewing each bit a little more thoroughly than otherwise would. This just making things easier for the digestive system and allowing the food to better mix with the digestive enzymes in the mouth. The smaller particles are more easily digested by the stomach. In the case of the edentulous client the intervention should be done by crushing the food and having it or rehabilitating the oral cavity with a dental prosthesis.
Not lying down immediately after a meal can also help as will not eating while lying down. There are also natural digestive enzymes that are available from majority of health stores. Majority of which contains extracts of papaya or pineapple, bromelain is what they actually contain which can actually help stimulate the production of stomach acid. To produce enough HCl in the stomach, body needs to absorb zinc from the diet. The diet rich in zinc include pumpkin, seeds, oysters, beef and pork, fortified breakfast cereals, baked beans and cashews. If it is left untreated achlorhydria can negatively impact a person's health and well being. Provided he or she experiencing any of the symptoms, it is highly recommended seeking a second opinion and undergoing some testing. Once it has been identified how the stomach acid as to why that is the case, we can start taking the steps necessary to address A deficiency that has resulted in love stomach acid. Proper treatment reduces the risk of complications.