Hypochlorhydria is a deficiency of stomach acid. If you don’t have enough stomach acid, you can’t digest food properly or absorb its nutrients. This leads to indigestion, malnutrition and sometimes bacterial overgrowth. Fortunately, hypochlorhydria is relatively simple to test and treat.

Low stomach acid — also called hypochlorhydria — happens when your body doesn’t produce enough hydrochloric acid. Symptoms often appear soon after you eat. You might have abdominal pain or bloating, and you may notice changes to your bowel movements. Stomach acid helps you break down proteins and absorb vitamin B12 and certain minerals.

Hypochlorhydria is when you have too little hydrochloric acid in your stomach. Low levels of this acid can affect your digestion and cause symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, and nausea. Stomach secretions are made up of hydrochloric acid, several enzymes, and a mucus coating that protects the lining of your stomach.

Hypochlorhydria is the medical term for a low level of stomach acid. This may cause digestive issues, nutritional deficiencies, and gastrointestinal infections. An individual with hypochlorhydria is unable to produce enough hydrochloric acid (HCL) in the stomach. Stomach acid, along with several enzymes, helps to break down food.