Can excessive stomach acid cause gastritis?

In general, excessive gastric acid production may cause gastritis.

Gastric acid is an important substance for food digestion in the stomach; it kills bacteria in food, promotes the initial breakdown of proteins, and activates pepsinogen. When gastric acid secretion is excessive, surpassing the defensive capacity of the gastric mucosa, high-concentration gastric acid continuously irritates and erodes the gastric mucosa, triggering an inflammatory response. Gastric acid has an extremely low pH value; when secreted in excessive amounts, it can break through the mucus-bicarbonate barrier on the surface of the gastric mucosa, directly damaging the mucosal layer, leading to mucosal congestion, edema, erosion, and the development of chemical gastritis.

Excessive gastric acid may alter the gastric internal environment, indirectly promoting the colonization of Helicobacter pylori (Hp). After Hp infection, toxins are released that damage the gastric mucosa, further causing chronic inflammation and resulting in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis. If excessive gastric acid is accompanied by abnormal gastric motility, acid may reflux into the esophagus, causing reflux esophagitis. At the same time, due to dysfunction of the pylorus, bile may also flow back into the stomach, causing bile reflux gastritis, further aggravating gastric mucosal injury.

Treating gastritis caused by excessive gastric acid typically includes lifestyle modifications, the use of anti-acid medications to reduce gastric acid secretion, and antibiotic therapy targeted at Helicobacter pylori infection. During treatment, doctors will develop individualized treatment plans based on each patient's specific condition to relieve symptoms and promote the healing of the gastric mucosa.