Side effects of long-term sodium bicarbonate administration

The main function of sodium bicarbonate is to neutralize gastric acid and provide relief from symptoms caused by hyperacidity, but it is not recommended for long-term consumption because it only provides relief. In addition, the reaction between sodium bicarbonate and gastric acid produces large amounts of carbon dioxide, which can lead to side effects such as belching and secondary increase in gastric acid secretion. Sodium bicarbonate can alkalize urine in case of high acid content in urine and can promote the excretion of uric acid, but it is not recommended to take sodium bicarbonate for long-term treatment of diseases. The root cause of high uric acid production is the imbalance between uric acid production and excretion, otherwise it will lead to the accumulation of uric acid. Simple alkalinization of urine cannot reduce uric acid production and promotes excretion of only a small amount of uric acid, which cannot achieve the therapeutic purpose. Long-term application of sodium bicarbonate can lead to sodium retention, which is detrimental to blood pressure control. The use of sodium bicarbonate is not recommended for patients with renal insufficiency, congestive heart failure, and edema due to sodium retention.