Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Achlorhydria
Introduction
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Synonyms and keywords: Gastric acidity reduced
Overview
Overview
Achlorhydria and hypochlorhydria refer to states where the production of gastric acid in the stomach is absent or low, respectively. It is associated with various other medical problems.
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Achlorhydria overview from Other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Natural History
Complications
Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Prevention
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Historical Perspective
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Overview
Historical Perspective
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Classification
Overview
Classification
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Pathophysiology
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Overview
Pathophysiology
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Causes
Overview
Achlorhydria is caused by intrinsic and extrinsic changes in the gastrointestinal system, including uptake of antibodies and bacterial infection. Less commonly, it can be caused by cancer, a life-threatening cause requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Causes[1]
Life Threatening Causes
Common Causes
Causes by Organ System
| Cardiovascular | No underlying causes |
| Chemical/Poisoning | No underlying causes |
| Dental | No underlying causes |
| Dermatologic | No underlying causes |
| Drug Side Effect | H2-receptor antagonists, Parietal cell antibodies, Proton pump inhibitors |
| Ear Nose Throat | No underlying causes |
| Endocrine | Mucolipidosis , Vipomas |
| Environmental | No underlying causes |
| Gastroenterologic | Atrophic gastritis, Gastric intrinsic factor antibodies, Menetrier disease, Somatostatinoma, Stomach cancer |
| Genetic | No underlying causes |
| Hematologic | Pernicious anemia |
| Iatrogenic | Radiation therapy |
| Infectious Disease | Helicobacter pylori infection |
| Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic | No underlying causes |
| Neurologic | No underlying causes |
| Nutritional/Metabolic | No underlying causes |
| Obstetric/Gynecologic | No underlying causes |
| Oncologic | Somatostatinoma, Stomach cancer, Vipomas |
| Ophthalmologic | No underlying causes |
| Overdose/Toxicity | No underlying causes |
| Psychiatric | No underlying causes |
| Pulmonary | No underlying causes |
| Renal/Electrolyte | No underlying causes |
| Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy | Autoimmune disorders , Gastric intrinsic factor antibodies |
| Sexual | No underlying causes |
| Trauma | No underlying causes |
| Urologic | No underlying causes |
| Miscellaneous | No underlying causes |
Causes in Alphabetical Order
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2] Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.
Differentiating Achlorhydria from Other Diseases
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Overview
Differential Diagnosis
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Epidemiology and Demographics
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Overview
Epidemiology and Demographics
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Risk Factors
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Overview
Risk Factors
- Prior gastric bypass surgery
- Chronic gastric H. pylori infection
- Chronic proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use
- Autoimmune conditions, such as diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease.
- Elderly individuals
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Screening
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Overview
Screening
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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Overview
Natural History
Complications
- Achlorhydria may result in increased bacterial growth in the stomach and duodenum. This increases the risk of several infectious diseases such as salmonellosis, typhoid fever, shigellosis, and various parasitic infections.
- Stomach acid is important in liberating minerals from food, thereby increasing the risk that individuals with hypochlorohydria or achlorhydria will develop calcium and zinc deficiencies.
- Loss of acid production may also alter the rate or extent of drug absorption.
- Atrophic gastritis, one of the complications of achlorhydria, has been considered to be a potential precursor to gastric carcinoma.
Prognosis
The outcome of achlorhydria depends on:
- The underlying cause of achlorhydria: If achlorhydria results from cancer or a surgical procedure, the prognosis is more guarded.
- The complications of achlorhydria: Atrophic gastritis, one of the complications of achlorhydria, has been considered to be a potential precursor to gastric carcinoma.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | X Ray | CT | MRI | Ultrasound | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Treatment
Medical Therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]