Acidity Causes and treatment

Acidity is a term used for a set of symptoms caused by excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach. The stomach normally secretes hydroelectric acid which is required for the breakdown and digestion of food we eat. Acidity causes symptoms like dyspepsia, heartburn, gastric inflammation and ulcers in the stomach.

It occurs, when esophagus, the tube that goes from your throat to your stomach, gets irritated by the excess acid that comes up from your stomach. People suffering from acidity feel a burning sensation in the stomach or throat after eating a meal. Other uncomfortable

symptoms may include sour taste in the mouth, heaviness, constipation and indigestion. Acidity is generally a consequence of several external factors like unhealthy eating habits, fad diets, stress, smoking and alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, irregularity in eating pattern. Some lifestyle tips to get rid of acidity are:

• Avoid Spicy foods and citrus fruits, if you frequently suffer from acid reflux as these can worsen the symptoms for you. • Include fibre food in diet

• Sleeping pattern: Sleeping with your head elevated position causes rapid acid clearance. Acid clearance is the drainage of stomach acid from the esophagus.

• Don’t overeat: The quantity of food you eat significantly affects the digestion process. Overeating loads the stomach with larger amount of food that causes over-acid production.

• Eat dinner early: Make sure you have your dinner 2-3 hours before sleep. During sleep the entire body functions slow down and as a result digestion problems like acidity creep in if food is eaten soon before sleep.

• Reduce weight: Being overweight is more likely to have frequent acid reflux symptoms.

• Drink water: Water is the best remedy for acid reflux. It not only helps to stop acidity but also helps in digestion and has great overall health benefits.

• Avoid Caffein: Caffeinated beverages like tea, coffee, cola etc are known triggers of acidity.

• Avoid Alcohol: Consumption of alcohol may cause direct damage to the gastric mucosa. It also relaxes the esophageal sphincter which causes the acid to creep into the esophagus.

• Avoid smoking: Cigarette smoke has nicotine which irritates the stomach linings. Smoking also induces relaxation of the esophageal sphincter and stimulates acid production. Acidity can be treated with antacids, Acid blockers and mainly by making changes in eating and lifestyle habits. A new technique called endostism can also provide relief from acid reflux. Get immediate medical attention if you have any chest pain, pressure, or burning that doesn’t go away with medications and lifestyle changes. These can also be signs of a heart attack.

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