The food we eat goes into our stomach through the esophagus. The gastric glands in your stomach create acid, which is necessary to digest the food. When the gastric glands create more acid than needed for the digestion process, you can feel a burning sensation below the breastbone. This condition is commonly known as acidity.
Stomach acid or Acidity, also called acid reflux, is a condition that is characterized by heartburn that is felt around the lower chest area. It is a common condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe. The most common acid reflux symptom is a burning sensation in the chest or pain. While most people suffer in pain, they do not realize that poor lifestyle choices are the primary reason behind acidity.
When stomach acid symptoms occur more than twice a week, your doctor may diagnose you with Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Chronic acidity may lead to serious risks that include:
Esophagus damage:
Esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach and when acid moves back up and enters the esophagus, it sets the stage for esophageal ulcers, oesophagitis, esophageal strictures, and Barrett’s Oesophagus.
Esophagus cancer:
There is an increased risk of esophagus cancer, which is more likely if you have a history of the condition in the family. Cavities/tooth decay: Acid reflux can wear down the enamel of your teeth and lead to cavities.
- heartburn – a burning sensation in the middle of your chest
- an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth, caused by stomach acid
You may also have:
- a cough or hiccups that keep coming back
- a hoarse voice
- bad breath
- bloating and feeling sick
- Your symptoms will probably be worse after eating, when lying down and when bending over.
Unhealthy Eating Habits
- Skipping meals or eating at irregular times
- Eating just before sleeping
- Overeating
- Consumption of spicy food
- High intake of table salt
- Diet low in dietary fiber
Excessive Consumption of Certain Food To Avoid Stomach Acid:
- Drinks such as tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, soft drinks
- Extremely spicy food
Fat rich food such as pizza, doughnuts, and fried food
Side-effects of Certain Temporary Medications as Well as Existing Medications.
- It includes medications such as
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Medicines for high blood pressure
- Antibiotics
Depression and anxiety medications
Stomach Disorders:
Stomach disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, tumors, peptic ulcers, among others.
Other Stomach Acid Causes Include:
- Consumption of non-vegetarian food
- Excessive stress
- Lack of sleep
- Frequent smoking
- Lack of physical exercise
- Frequent consumption of alcohol
- People who suffer from medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and connective tissue disorder are more prone to acidity. It is also a common problem in people who are obese, pregnant women, or women who are nearing menopause.
Acidity / Stomach Acid Symptoms:
Acidity symptoms differ from one person to another. Most things that contribute to gas also lead to acidity meaning gas and acidity symptoms are almost similar.
While the most common acid reflux symptoms are chest pain and burning sensation below the breastbone, there are other symptoms that are uncommon.
Acidity symptoms include the following:
- Burning sensation and pain in the stomach
- Burning sensation and pain in the throat
- Difficulty swallowing or the sensation of food being stuck in your throat
- Frequent burping or hiccups, for no apparent reason
- Burning sensation and pain in the chest
- Regurgitation: Prolonged sour taste in the mouth or bitter-tasting acid that backs up into your throat and mouth
- Post-meal heaviness
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Bad breath
- Restlessness
Hyperacidity Symptoms Include:
- Heartburn: Persistent pain or discomfort that moves from your stomach to your chest and sometimes even up to your throat.
- Chronic discomfort in the upper abdomen
- Bloody or black stool, often accompanied by bloody vomiting
- Wheezing, dry cough, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- While acidity symptoms in the chest are most times diagnosed as acidity, it is always recommended to visit your healthcare provider if the symptoms are persistent.
Your doctor will diagnose either by taking an X-ray of the esophagus and the stomach or with an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and suggest treatment.
Know About The Different Techniques That How To Avoid Acidity?
Thankfully, acid reflux is a condition that’s quite easy to control. That said, it does require a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Let’s discuss this a little more in-depth.
Medication
There are several over-the-counter medications available for the treatment of acidity. And while this may work in the short run, we recommend consulting a doctor and creating a long-term plan of action based on the conditions underlying causes.
Sleeping time and position
Maintaining a gap of at least 2-3 hours between your mealtime and sleep time is important. It allows food to digest properly and prevent avoid reflux.
Believe it or not, the height and angle of your bed could actually impact your acidity. This is because you are more prone to developing acid reflux when your stomach is in the same line as your esophagus. To prevent this, raise the head of the mattress by 10 cm – 20 cm by placing a few rolled-up towels at one end of it.
Try to lose weight
As touched upon before, obesity could cause severe acidity. Hence, it’s important you take the necessary steps required to prevent it. Start by exercising at least 4 times a week and try to avoid deep-fried, fatty, & relatively unhealthy food by replacing it with a good amount of fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Visit a nutritionist
If you experience heartburn on a regular basis, it is probably a good idea to consult a nutritionist. They will give you a better understanding of the food that triggers you and will help you create a well-rounded diet plan suited to your personal requirements. Diet modifications will not only help in keeping acidity under control but also will help in healthy weight loss over a period of time.
Acidity Treatment
When you visit your healthcare provider, your symptoms are considered to determine whether you have acidity or if it is a complication of some other serious problem This is based on your condition and the depth of the acid reflux problem,
- You will be prescribed an antacid that contains aluminum, calcium, or magnesium
- Your doctor may also suggest the use of histamine blocking agents (H2 receptor blockers) such as cimetidine, nizatidine, ranitidine, and famotidine
- If the condition is severe, they may prescribe proton pump inhibitors
- If the condition is extremely severe, your doctor may suggest Vagotomy surgery that helps to reduce the production of acid in the stomach.
- Your healthcare provider may suggest certain do’s and don’ts based on your health, which can help you control acidity.
15 Easy Home Remedies for Acidity:
Acidity can be frustrating and can have a debilitating effect on your social life. Simple home remedies not only provide quick relief in acidity problems but can also cure them completely.
Cold Milk
Drinking cold milk provides great relief in acidity. Milk is rich in calcium and prevents acid buildup in the stomach.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is rich in electrolytes, which in turn balance out the excessive acid production.
Black Cumin Seeds
Directly chew some cumin seeds or boil 1 teaspoon of them in a glass of water and drink. Black cumin seeds prevent acidity and its symptoms like heartburns, nausea, bloating, constipation, etc.
Fennel or Saunf
Have one teaspoon of fennel powder with a glass of warm water for instant relief from acidity and heartburn. Fennel also improves digestion and prevents gas and bloating.
Lukewarm Water
Drink lukewarm water on an empty stomach in the morning and at bedtime. It boosts digestion. Subsequently, this helps relieve acidity and its symptoms.
Cardamom
Chew one cardamom every day to get rid of acidity, indigestion, and gastric problems.
Watermelon Juice
Drink a glass of watermelon juice daily for instant relief from acidity and heartburn.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is rich in lactic acid that soothes the stomach and normalizes acidity. Drink a glass of buttermilk with a pinch of black pepper and coriander for instant relief in acidity.
Ginger
Chewing a piece of raw ginger or drinking ginger tea helps prevent acidity and its symptoms. It also improves digestion.
Cloves
Put a piece of clove in your mouth and swallow its juices. Clove helps to relieve acidity, gastric irritability, indigestion, and nausea.
Banana
Banana neutralizes acidity and soothes the stomach. Consume milk and banana together to prevent acidity.
Papaya
Papaya consists of an enzyme called papain that reduces gastric acid secretion and gives relief from acidity.
Ajwain
Ajwain is an effective anti-acidic agent. It relieves acidity and improves digestion.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a magic spice. It works wonders for our bodies. It also helps relieve acidity and boosts digestion.
Jaggery
Jaggery is great for digestion. So, it can provide instant relief in acidity. It also reduces heartburn and soothes the throat or chest area. Therefore, eating a small piece of jaggery post your meal may help you soothe acid reflux problems.
Tips To Avoid Acidity:
Mild cases of acid reflux can usually be prevented by adopting a few lifestyle changes. For example:
- Avoid lying down for three hours after a meal.
- Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid pressure on your abdomen.
- Lose excess weight.
- Quit smoking.
- Raise the head of your bed six to eight inches by placing wooden blocks under your bed posts. Bed risers are another option for doing this.
Several types of food can cause acid reflux and heartburn. Pay close attention to how you feel after eating different foods. Your triggers may include:
- fatty or fried foods
- alcohol
- coffee
- carbonated beverages, such as soda
- chocolate
- garlic
- onions
- citrus fruits
- peppermint
- spearmint
- tomato sauce
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