Neutralizing+Stomach+Acid

**NEUTRALIZING STOMACH ACID**  By: Shariqa Navlakhi =__**What is** **Stomach Acid?** __=

Stomach acid, which is also known as Gastric acid, is a digestive fluid which is materialized in the stomach. The normal pH of stomach acid is anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5, compared to bases which have a pH of 7. This is the reason why stomach acid is highly acidic and is acidic enough to eat through a strip of zinc. Stomach acid is basically composed of hydrochloric acid and a large abundance of potassium and sodium chloride (KCl and NaCl). The hydrochloric acid is the source of acidity and is produced by special cells in the stomach lining. The stomach acid is the most important part of the digestive system as it digests the proteins and also withholds the growth of unwanted and harmful bacteria in the stomach. The stomach acid is produced by cells that line the stomach and are created in such a way that they can increase the production of acid when it is required. Sometimes even more acid than required is produced and can cause stomach acidity.

**The Stomach acid present in a normal stomach ** __ The Stomach Lining __ The digestive fluid, the stomach acid, doesn't know the difference between the stomach and the food. For this reason, the stomach acid can eat through the stomach and be leaked into the esophagus which can cause heartburn. This is why the stomach has defenses. Cells present in the stomach lining, produce mucas that surronds the stomach and helps to keep the acid away from living cells. These cells also have great reproduction rate; about half a million cells per second! When the stomach lining becomes inflamed, it produces less mucus which can eventually lead to Gastritis (a condition in which the stomach lining is inflamed and can cause nausea and vomiting).

**The Normal Stomach Lining** =__Heart____burn__ = Heartburn is the name given to the burning sensation that is felt in your heart. Even though the pain is felt in the heart, it is actually the result of stomach acid moving upwards, towards the esophagus. Since the esophagus is not protected by a lining, the burning sensation is felt. Heartburn can be caused by many different reasons:
 * overeating or eating spicy foods, chocolate, peppermint, citrus foods and tomatoes
 * alcohol (especially red wine)
 * the position of the body (lying down can increase the movement of the stomach acid upwards)
 * aspirin and other pain relievers (advil)
 * obesity and pregnancy
 * some diseases such as diabetes

Heartburn and its Causes media type="youtube" key="Kn1dt8TG1vM" height="315" width="420" align="center"

= = = = =<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">__Causes of Heart burn__ = =<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">__Neutralizing Stomach Acids__ =
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Spicy foods cause heart burn **
 * 2) **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 19px;">Red WIne (one of the causes of heart burn) **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Stomach acid can be neutralized by consuming antacid medicines. An antacid substance is a substance that neutralizes stomach acid. The ingredients in the antacids must be those that should be able to neutralize the acid, but at the same time must not irritate the mouth or the throat. The compound used to neutralize the acid, must have enough hydroxide ions that can react with the acid and for this reason aluminum and magnesium hydroxide are often used. An antacid works by increasing the pH and therefore decreasing the acidity. There are many well-known antacids such as: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">But neutralizing the stomach acid does have its negative affects. The ability to digest food, and to absorb nutrients is reduced. Also the ability to get infections is increased as the antacids lower the pH which allows bacteria to grow.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Alka-Seltzer
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Pepta-Bismol
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Tums
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Mylanta





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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Bibliography

__Information__
 * 1) @http://www.crohns-disease-probiotics.com/gastritis.html
 * 2) http://www.ehow.com/about_5039184_ph-stomach-acid.html
 * 3) http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gastritis/
 * 4) http://www.emedicinehealth.com/heartburn/page2_em.htm

__Pictures__ All from google

__**Reviews**__ **Pulp and Paper-Nalima N.** **Principle 1-Zainab P.** **Combustion of Hydrocarbons-Thanoja**
 * 1) Creating pulp and paper can cause deforestation
 * 2) Paper is bleached so that it is white since the colour of pulp is brown
 * 3) The bleaching of the pulp uses a lot of chlorine
 * 1) The global production of plastics is about 100 million tons
 * 2) From the total production of oil, 8% is used in the plastic industry
 * 3) The substitute for benzene is glucose
 * 1) This sort of combustion happens when hydrocarbon molecules and oxygen molecules come together
 * 2) The products that are made are water vapor, carbon dioxide etc.
 * 3) Incomplete combustion is when there is a limited supply of oxygen.