why stomach acid burn, and why it doesn't burn in your stomach?
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Stomach acid is incredibly powerful, with a pH between one point five and three point five. This makes it nearly as acidic as battery acid. This extreme acidity serves crucial functions: it breaks down tough proteins in food, kills harmful bacteria and pathogens, and activates important digestive enzymes.
When stomach acid escapes its protected environment, it causes a painful burning sensation. This happens during heartburn when acid reaches the esophagus, during acid reflux when acid moves upward, or when ulcers form due to damaged protective lining. Unprotected tissues simply cannot handle this extreme acidity and become irritated and damaged.
The stomach protects itself with a thick layer of alkaline mucus. This mucus layer acts as a crucial barrier that prevents acid from touching the stomach cells. It contains bicarbonate which neutralizes the acid, creating a pH gradient from one point five in the acid to seven at the cell surface. Without this protective mucus layer, stomach acid would quickly damage the stomach lining.
The stomach has multiple layers of protection beyond the mucus barrier. Key protective mechanisms include rapid cell turnover where stomach lining cells are replaced every three to five days, tight junctions that seal cells together preventing acid leakage, increased blood flow that brings nutrients for repair, and prostaglandins that help regulate acid production. These mechanisms work together to maintain stomach health and prevent acid damage.
To summarize what we have learned: Stomach acid is extremely powerful with a pH between one point five and three point five. It burns unprotected tissues like the esophagus during acid reflux. However, the stomach protects itself with a mucus layer containing bicarbonate, rapid cell renewal, and tight junctions between cells. These multiple defense mechanisms work together to maintain stomach health and prevent damage from this powerful digestive acid.