GASTRIC ANALYSIS
HEIDELBERG pH DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM
32nd ANNIVERSARY YEAR
INFORMATION ABOUT:
HYPOCHLORHYDRIA, HYPERCHLORHYDRIA, ACHLORHYDRIA AND H2 BLOCKERS
PLUS
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND IT’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE HEIDELBERG pH CAPSULE TELEMETRY MONITORING SYSTEM
Heidelberg Medical, Inc.
627 Gainesville Hwy
Suite B
Blairsville, GA 30512
Normal appearing Gastrogram
Challenged with 5 c.c.s Saturated Solution of Sodium
Bicarbonate
Showing pH
Measurements And Timing
The Most important things to remember, when Interpreting the condition of a Patients First Stage of Digestion, from the results of a Heidelberg pH Diagnostic Test Graph, is the TIMING. The Time it takes for the Parietal Cells to Reacidify the Stomach, once the Alkali Challenge is observed on the Graph, will determine if a Patient is Normal, Hypochlorhydric, Achlorhydric, or Hyperchlorhydric.
Many Patients will show varies fasting stomach acid levels.
In the above Graph, the Capsule is administered to the Patient, and indicates the Fasting Acid in the Stomach is 1.5 pH. The Alkaline Challenge is Orally administered to the Patient, elevating the pH to an average of 7.2 for approximately 18 minutes. This curve shows NORMAL Parietal Cell function. According to Noeller's 1000 Patient Study, a 20 to 22 minute re-acidification time is Normal for the Parietal Cell function, in young healthy adults. This curve does not continue to Duodenal and Small Intestine phases. In some instances the pH of Patients may only rise to 3.5, 4.0, 6.0 or higher. The reason for this is that different people exhibit different fasting volumes! The more fasting juice volume the less of a climb toward Neutral after a measured 5cc. Alkaline Dose. Please remember this when you study Patient pH curves. The Reacidification Time results will be the same.
HYPOCHLORHYDRIA (Obvious) is the lack of adequate production of Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) by the Stomach Parietal Cells.
Many people, in the process of aging, develop various stages of Hypochlorhydria; however, it is not confined to this aging group. Many young people also develop this problem. Bear in mind that the presence of HCL in the Stomach generally inhibits (slows down or stops) the reflex of “rapid-dumping” of foods out of the Stomach, rendering the critical First Stage of Digestion partially or totally incomplete. Also, HCL performs a natural sterilization of the foods that we swallow. This is quite important, because nothing that we eat is sterile. In the pre-digestion phase of the Stomach, HCL, Pepsin, certain Enzymes, plus the Intrinsic Factor, which is essential for the absorption of Vitamin B-12, play key rolls in the conversion processes of Proteins to Amino Acids and Starches to Sugars that can be utilized by our bodies (in conjunction with the Duodenal, 2nd Phase of Digestion). Many Allergies can be traced to Patients with HYPOCHLORHYDRIA. The lack of these intricate pre-digestion processes, cause many of these undigested Proteins to become Allergens. These Allergens often develop into bizarre effects (Allergic Reactions) upon millions of people throughout the world. Medically controlled desensitizing (‘Allergy shots’) is often very helpful, especially against airborne Allergens. Generally speaking, “HYPO” Patients seem to be more prone to Allergies, other ailments, and "premature dumping" of the Stomachs contents into the Duodenum (which helps “set the stage” for undigested Proteins). Gas, Belching, Bloating, common to “HYPER” and “G.I. Spasm” are very often equally present in “HYPO,” giving confusing signals.
HYPOCHLORHYDRIA (Not Obvious) Alkali Challenge Proves Hypochlorhydria
The second form of Hypochlorhydria is Hidden Hypo. When the pH Capsule enters a fasting Stomach the pH level may be on the Acid Side with a level of 1.2 pH or more. When challenged with the 5 c.c.s of Saturated Solution of Sodium Bicarbonate, the Stomach will neutralize close to pH 7.0 or higher (toward 8.0) and may not come back down into the Acid range for several hours, sometimes longer. These patients have a “Hidden” Hypochlorhydria.
ACHLORHYDRIA (Obvious)
ACHLORHYDRIA is the total absence of HCL production in the stomach.
Patients with Achlorhydria May Have a form of Pernicious Anemia. This will also show in a routine Blood test. When the Anemia is corrected the Stomachs Parietal Function will generally return to Normal. Always check to see if blood work has been done recently. One of the Predominant conditions of Patients that are HIV Positive (AID’s) is Acute Hypochlorhydria, and Achlorhydria in the later stages. The Heidelberg Diagnostic System can be used to Determine the correct amount and type of Medication necessary to bring the First Stage of Digestion back to its optimum level, for good Conversion and Absorption. The Heidelberg Diagnostic System will not cure HIV Positive Patients, but it can be be used to increase the quality of life for these Patients.
HYPERCHLORHYDRIA,
With Rapid Reacidification
Multi-challenged with Alkali Drink
HYPERCHLORHYDRIA, The above Graph indicates the excess production of Hydrochloric Acid (HCL). This condition may cause Delayed, or Marked-delayed, emptying time of the Stomach's contents. In many cases, Patients with Delayed and Marked-delayed emptying, will retain food in their Stomachs for 6 to 24 hours, or much longer in many cases. A Patient that has Fasted may have Stomach acid level of pH 1.0or lower--toward pure Acid, but not in all cases. The Heidelberg pH Diagnostic test can be accurately administered to a Patient that has a Fasting acid level of pH 0.0 up to pH 5.5. When the Patients Parietal Cell are challenged with an alkaline drink, we measure the time that it takes to return from the Alkaline, or Neutralized state, back to the Acid side. This determines normal Parietal Cell performance. The standard Alkaline challenge must be administered 2 or 3 additional times, and show a rapid returns (10 minutes or less) to acid levels, which verifies that the Patient HYPERCHLORHYDRIC. The Alkaline challenge (standard: 5 cc saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate) is essential to determine the “fasting” Stomach acid levels, Reacidification Time, and Parietal Cells’ capacities. Regarding the “pushing” of their highly-acid meals through into the Duodenum: The emptied or ‘pushed-through’ food will be heavy on the acid side, which will stimulate the Duodenal production of Pancreatin and Liver Bile. However, the Duodenal buffering capacities cannot, volume wise, elevate the pH of the “pushed-through” foods (now highly saturated with HCL) to the normal Physiologic pH level into the Small Intestine. The Stomach-exit pH range (under this condition) will be approximately pH 1.5 to 2.8 (rather than an optimal pH 4.0 to pH 4.5). The Small Intestine normal-to-ideal pH range would be pH 5.8 to 7.0 at this point. One example of a delayed Stomach emptying is a person who has a normal breakfast, becomes hungry at noon, orders lunch, and then has trouble eating because his stomach is full…the breakfast is still there! (And it really is, still there.) The acid condition of the food at the Duodenal Exit Region now becomes an irritant against a mucous membrane that ideally, should be ‘climbing’ close (in time) to the Neutral (pH 7.0) range. This causes incomplete Digestion, as described before, with accompanying Gas, Belching, Bloating, Flatulence and Irritable Bowels.
REGARDING H2 BLOCKERS
Millions of people are taking H2 blockers (Cemetadine and Cemetadine-type drugs). These prescription drugs block the production of Hydrochloric Acid, thus rendering Patients with normal or excess Acid conditions into HYPOCHLORHYDRIA and ACHLORHYDRIA (little or no acid, as stated above). While patients are under the control of these H2 Blockers, Physicians can expect to see the same symptoms as they would see with HYPOCHLORHYDRIA or ACHLORHYDRIA Patients (also consider the fact there is no sterilizing effect on the ingested food due to the lack of Hydrochloric Acid). A pH Blocking Medication should not be prescribed for a Patient without the benefit of pH Diagnostic Test. Hypochlorhydria and Hyperchlorhydria have similar symptoms, Belching, Bloating, , etc., which may lead a Physician to believe that a Patient is over producing Hydrochloric Acid. The only true, reproducible method of determining the condition of a Patients First Stage of Digestion is the Heidelberg pH Diagnostic Test. It is one of the most valuable tools a Physician can have, for determining disorders in the First, and most important, Stage of Digestion.
In screening Patients for a Heidelberg pH Capsule Test, the Patient Must stop taking any type of H2 Blocking Medication for at least 3 to 4 days before the test. (Three days is generally sufficient, but 4 days will insure correct pH measurements.) These H2 Blockers have a repository action (The “therapeutic effect” is retained for several days after discontinuance of the drug). If a test is done on the first to third day after discontinuance, it will likely show Achlorhydria or some degree of Hypochlorhydria, which will not reflect a true Physiologic picture of your Patient’s Stomach condition. Now that Pepcid A.C. and Tagamet H.B. have been approved for ‘over-the-counter’ purchase, it would be very wise to inquire, from Heidelberg Test Candidates, whether they have taken any of these H2 Blockers, as well as their prescription counterparts. This is very important: Please refer to ACHLORHYDRIA. Please Make Certain a Complete Patient History has been taken from the patient, for any History of Crohn’s Disease, diagnosed or not diagnosed, Bleeding, adhesions, occlusions, etc. of the Small Intestine and/or Large Bowel that you intend to do a Heidelberg Test on.
STOMACH EMPTYING
When we eat food, it is close to the neutral pH of 7.0. It can be slightly higher or lower, depending upon the type of foods that are involved. If the foods that we eat were highly Alkaline or Acidic, they would have a bad, burning (caustic or acidic) effect on our Mucous Membranes. Therefore, we can consider that most of the foods that we eat are neutral. When food enters the Stomach, a reflex action begins the churning of the food, and then, certain Cells are stimulated into production of pre-digestion products, or juices. Consider, at this time only, the Hydrochloric Acid (HCL). The Parietal Cells produce HCL to mix with the foods. The foods now slowly become saturated with HCL. At a certain point, in normal Patients, these specialized Cells begin to wane in production and eventually cease production of HCL. In the ‘stomach-churning’ process, combined with the continuing effect of receiving neutral-pH food, the still-incoming-volume of neutral food begins a pH neutralizing or dilution effect. The pressure of the Stomach contents, in concert with the now-rising pH, up to the levels of pH 4.0 to 4.5, work together to effect a relaxation of the Pylorus (Stomach emptying valve), allowing batches of food to slowly enter the Duodenum. At this point, the pH is on the acid side, and ideally suited for natural (acidic) stimulation within the Duodenum to produce Pancreatic Juices and Liver Bile to mix with the transiting Stomach products. A 2:1 ratio of Sodium Bicarbonate-Potassium Bicarbonate is one of the combined natural ingredients of the exocrine Pancreatic Juices, and it is used to elevate (in the mixing process) the Duodenal-Phase contents from pH 1.0 to pH 1.5 points toward neutral. The Liver Bile is slightly on the high side of neutral (pH 7.0), and secondarily, slightly helpful in this buffering phase. When the Pancreatic Exocrine buffering and saturation is completed, the Duodenal contents begin to transit into the Small Intestine. For approximately 10 inches beyond the Duodenum, special Cells reabsorb a small portion of the HCL, which in turn, aids in the gradual elevation of pH in the Small Intestine from pH 6.0 to pH 7.0 (ideally). This is said to be the optimum pH level for conversion of proteins to Amino Acids, Starches to Sugars, which can be utilized, etc. Conversions and Absorptions can be made when the pH runs to low numbers, towards the acid side; however, the conversion efficiency seems to drop exponentially as this happens.
CONCLUSION
Therefore, pH plays an all-important role in how we handle and process foods to the nourishment of our bodies. In addition, Medications, which depend upon pH for release and absorption, have optimal effects within the Alimentary Tract under normal pH conditions. Virtually everything that we eat is properly converted and absorbed in the Small Intestine. Due to abnormal pH profiles in many patients, sustained-release Medications may tend to “dump,” or release Medicaments all at once, or, on the other hand, release very little. A normal, or near normal, pH Alimentary Canal profile is very beneficial for food processing and Medicament delivery. The Heidelberg pH Capsule is used routinely by many of the major Pharmaceutical Manufactures, in Europe, Japan, Canada and the United States, as a “design tool” in the development and formulation of pH-dependent drug releases.
When the pH capsule is swallowed, it reaches the stomach in 2 to 3 seconds, the same time as a Vitamin or Antibiotic tablet or Capsule. While in the Stomach, the pH capsule will report exact pH information and it will show immediate changes to Alkaline or Acid “challenges”. This eliminates the need for a Nasal-gastric tube, which is inserted into the Nose by a Technician in a special procedures room in a Clinic or Hospital. A lot of swallowing is required to assist the Technician in getting the tube down into the Stomach Pouch. The procedure, after insertion (with lots of gagging and sometimes vomiting) requires aspirating (or Pumping out) the Stomach contents for pH values. It is very questionable data for the most part, because the gagging most often generates the injection of Duodenal Juices into the Stomach Juice “mix”. The Heidelberg pH capsule is truly a non-invasive telemetric pH-monitoring device, which eliminates the need of using a Nasal-gastric tube.
MORE ABOUT THE HEIDELBERG pH CAPSULE SYSTEM
This system was developed at the famous University of Heidelberg
in the city of Heidelberg, Germany. All of the
development of the Famous Heidelberg pH Capsule
originated at the University of Heidelberg Hospital. The
first Publication included a 1,000 Patient Study emanating from the
Department of Gastroenterology.
The Heidelberg pH Capsule is a microminiaturized radio transmitter, which was designed for swallowing. Well over a million capsules have been used to date. The pH capsule is activated, calibrated and then swallowed. The Patient wears a Medallion Transceiver
around his/her neck via a suspension strap. The Transceiver picks up the telemetric pH data from the Patient’s Abdomen. It converts the information to digital data, and then, this information is transmitted to a Computer Interface Module for signal processing. The Computer Interface Module transfers this Data to the Dedicated Computer, where it is displayed on the Monitor in Graph form.
The pH capsule IS NOT “radioactive,” so there is no reason for concern. The information that is received on the graph (or Gastrogram) is compared with your Medical history. Your Doctor will then be able to complete and essential data in his/her diagnosis. Heidelberg pH Capsules are used extensively throughout the World in Pharmaceutical research, Pharmaceutical design, Preventive and Nutritional Medical Practices, and by dozens of major Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, world-wide. There have been over 140 published Clinical Studies some of which are Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and other well know Medical Publications.
Heidelberg Medical Incorporated