The same general diet suggested for acute gastritis should be followed.
Hyperchlorhydria
The condition known as hyperchlorhydria shows a liberal excess of hydrochloric acid. The condition is common, and is brought on by worry, nervous excitement, eating when overtired, irregularity of meals, imperfect mastication, and excessive use of alcohol.
The diet should be a mixed one, in about normal proportions. If anything, it should incline more to proteins than to starches.
The hydrochloric acid is necessary for the digestion of proteins and some physicians give a diet consisting almost entirely of proteins such as eggs, lean meat, etc., because hydrochloric acid reduces the protein to acid albumin, which is less irritating to the stomach than the free hydrochloric acid. However, the proteins are stimulating to the stomach and the protein proportion should not be carried to excess.
The best method is to follow a diet in which the foods have practically their normal balance—avoiding all irritating foods.
The juice of one-fourth of a lemon taken one-half hour before the meal will decrease the secretion of hydrochloric acid.
Limewater and milk may be used exclusively for two days; alkaline, effervescing mineral water may be used and then the diet should follow the general diet in chronic gastritis.
Hypochlorhydria is a diminution in the amount of hydrochloric acid. Since this acid is essential in gastric digestion of proteins, a decrease in its supply diminishes the power of the stomach to digest meat, eggs, etc. Physicians often administer hydrochloric acid about one hour after a meal. It should not immediately follow the meal consisting of part solid food, because it retards salivary digestion. Acid fruits, such as lemonade or egg lemonade, should be given half an hour after the meal instead of at the beginning.
Many advocate a diet omitting protein, but since protein foods stimulate the flow of gastric juices, they should not be omitted, but taken less freely. The meals should be at least six hours apart so as to allow time for digestion and to give the stomach rest.