What is Acidity?
Acidity could also be a set of symptoms caused by excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach. Your stomach naturally produces gastric to assist digest and break down food. Acidity, also called acid reflux. The most common symptom of acid reflux is known as heartburn, which may be a painful, burning feeling within the chest or throat.
The food we eat goes into stomach through the oesophagus. The gastric glands in your stomach create acid, which is very important to digest the food. When the gastric glands create more acid than needed for the digestion process, you tend to feel a burning sensation below lower part of chest.
When acidity occurs, the excess acid may move up from your stomach (food pipe) to your esophagus. The lining of your stomach is pH of 1 to 3 is designed as such to withstand a high acidic environment. Your esophagus on the other hand with a pH near to 7 isn't, and you will experience symptoms like a burning sensation within the chest when this pH drops below 4.
Acidity issues arise when there's excess production of this acid because of due to triggers such as acidic foods, alcohol, dehydration and stress.
Common cause of Acidity
Acidity is primarily related to food and lifestyle. At times it also depends on the case/family history. It’s seen that different people complain about different types of food that caused acidity and if one goes by the list of food ingredients that can cause acidity, it depends on how your body is used to a particular food or allergic to others. Few causes of acidity are
- Unhealthy Eating habit & over eating (skipping meal, Eating just before sleep, consumption of spicy food, Diet low in dietary fiber and High intake of table salt.
- Stomach disorder such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, tumours, peptic ulcers, among others
- Excessive consumption of certain food i.e. Drinks such as tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, soft drinks, Fat rich food such as pizza, doughnuts, and fried food.
- Other causes include i.e. Consumption of non-vegetarian food, lack of sleep, Excessive stress, Frequent smoking , Excessive intake of alcohol and Lack of physical exercise.
Acidity 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 acidity symptoms are chest pain and burning sensation below following Acidity symptom.
- Pain and burning sensation in the chest, stomach or throat
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Bad Breath
- Constipation
- Difficult swallowing or the sensation of food being stuck in your throat
- Nausea or feeling of vomiting
- Heaviness in the stomach after eating
- Frequent burps
- Regurgitation of undigested food coming back in our mouth
- Restlessness
Acidity Treatment
Medicines:
It’s important to treat heartburn, especially if you experience frequent symptoms. Over time, acid reflux can actually damage your oesophagus. Talk to your doctor about which prescribed or non-prescribed heartburn medicine is correct for you.
H2-receptor blockers that reduce acid production: They do not act as quickly as antacids, but provide longer relief and may decrease acid production from the stomach for up to 12 hours. E.g. Ranitidine, Famotidine or Cimetidine.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that block acid production and heal the oesophagus: They are stronger acid blockers than H2-receptor and provide time for damaged oesophageal tissue to heal. E.g. Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole and Esomeprazole.
Home Remedies
1) fennel and saunf :- Having around 1 teaspoon fennel powder with a glass of warm water relieves acidity and its symptoms like heartburn, bloating and improves digestion.
2) Lukewarm water :- Drinking a glass of lukewarm water empty stomach and before going to sleep at night, provides relief from acidity.
3) Black cumin seeds :- Chew cumin seeds directly or boil 1 teaspoon of them in a glass of water and drink it to relieve acidity. Black cumin seeds are gastro-protective. They are effective in reducing and preventing acidity and its symptoms like heartburn, pain, nausea, bloating, constipation etc.
4) Cloves :- Suck a piece of clove to get rid of acidity and its symptoms like indigestion, nausea, gastric irritability etc.
5) Buttermilk :- Lactic acid in buttermilk normalizes the acidity in the stomach and gives a soothing effect. A glass of buttermilk topped with black pepper and coriander helps in instantly easing our symptoms of acidity.
6) Banana :-
Consuming banana neutralizes acidity and gives
relief from heartburn and
A mixture of milk and banana helps to suppress excess acid secretion.
7) Papaya :- Papaya reduces gastric acid secretion and gives relief from acidity.
8) Cardamon :- Chewing 1 cardamom pod every day helps to prevent acidity, flatulence and improves digestion
9) Ginger :- Chewing raw ginger or drinking ginger tea helps prevent acidity and its symptoms. It also aids digestion.
10) Ajwain :- Consumption of ajwain gives relief from acidity and flatulence. It is excellent for digestion and is an efficient anti-acidic agent.
11) Turmeric :- Adding turmeric to our diet relieves acidity and heartburn caused by it.
12) In addition this, certain lifestyle changes may also help to prevent acidity. following below
- Stay active and engage in any kind exercise, be it yoga, running, swimming, cycling, dancing or any of your favorite sport.
Eat smaller meals, 4 to 5 times a day.
Have your dinner early, at least 2-3 hours before you hit the bed.
Don’t overeat and chew your food well while eating.
Don’t lie down immediately after a meal.
Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
13) Avoid food that Trigger Acidity Like
Very spicy and oil food
Tea, coffee, cold drinks
Raw onions, garlic
Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, kiwis
Tomatoes
Junk food etc
Typical Meal plan for a day, you can follow after your Doctor allow to do.
Wake up at 6 am early morning, Drink a glass of lukewarm water with honey or without honey
Do exercise about 30-40 minutes i.e. Running, Walking, Cycling etc.
08.00 am Take a breakfast like oats, cereals, boiled egg and Green Tea
10.00 am eat fruit like 01 apple etc.
12.30 - 1.00 pm lunch - salad, curd or buttermilk, Chapati and mixed vegetable or dal-rice.
4.00 pm Green Tea and dry fruits.
5.30 pm eat 01 apple or any fruits.
7.00 - 7.30 pm Dinner - Vegetable Soup, khichdi or brown rice.
8.30 - 9.00 pm Do walking for 20-30 minutes.
10.00 - Sleep. take sleep at-least 07-08 hours.
Follow this Meal 15-20 days you get definitely result.
Summary
Acidity or acid reflux may be a common problem that the majority of people face, some on a day to day basis. Most times, acidity is accompanied by gas. The reverse can also be true. The most common cause of acid reflux is the consumption of unhealthy food accompanied by alcohol and smoking. Food that contain a lot of fat and spice lead to burning sensation in your chest, which may be a common symptom of acid reflux.
When the symptoms are mild, home remedies aid in relieving the discomfort caused by the excessive acid produced. You can also take hold of acid reflux with few lifestyle changes. But if the symptoms are severe, you may need immediate medical attention / consultant with your doctor .
Acid reflux, in itself, isn't a severe condition. But chronic acidity / Hyper-acidity can cause other health problems that can damage the oesophagus. Acidity are often confused with other chest related problems that may be fatal. It is advised to go to your doctor if the symptoms of acidity are persistent even after taking medication.
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