316, Sakar 7 Near Nehrubridge Ashram road Ahmedabad
316, Sakar 7 Near Nehrubridge Ashram road Ahmedabad
Acidity is a medical condition that is caused due to excess production of acid. This acid is produced by the glands of the stomach.
A burning pain or discomfort that may move from the stomach to the abdomen, chest, or even up to the throat.
A bitter or sour-tasting acid will back into the throat or mouth that eventually makes sores in the spots.
Another common symptom of stomach ailments, a sour taste in the mouth, is also a symptom of acidity. It happens when food, along with stomach acid and bile, rises up to the back of your throat, causing a bitter taste. This usually happens along with regurgitation.
Difficulty in swallowing, also known as dysphagia, happens when excess acid in the stomach causes a feeling of fullness. It also causes a delay in the movement of food through the food pipe and impedes digestion.
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, can also be a key sign of acidity and other digestive problems. It can lead to a feeling of discomfort and a burning sensation in the upper middle part of the stomach.
Eating foods containing excessive amounts of chillies, pepper, vinegar, and paprika. Deep fried and oily foods. Excessive intake of caffeine in the form of tea, coffee, and chocolate. High intake of table salt. Diet low in fiber. Overeating or eating at irregular intervals. Unhealthy habits, like lying down just after eating. Eating just before strenuous physical exercise
Frequent smoking. Excessive intake of alcohol, soda, or carbonated drinks. Lack of sleep. Lack of physical activity.
Excessive stress, anxiety, or depression. Stomach diseases, like peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and stomach cancer. Medications, like painkillers, antibiotics, chemotherapy medications, and antidepressants.
Eating peppermint, extra ghee, spicy food could cause the acidity.
One of the simple tips to lower your risk of acid reflux is to eat small yet frequent meals. This is because overeating puts extra pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a valve-like muscle which prevents the acid content in the stomach from entering the esophagus.
A study has reported that a low-carb diet can improve heartburn symptoms, especially in obese individuals. It may be because excess carbohydrates can make you gassy and bloated, which in turn can lead to heartburn.
When you eat slowly and chew your food properly, it provides sufficient time for the digestive juices to break down the food and digest it. This, in turn, can help you beat indigestion, acidity, and heartburn.
Unhealthy eating habits are one of the leading causes of digestion-related problems. Eating late at night because of work pressure or snacking heavily in the evening can, in turn, make you more prone to heartburn. Therefore, avoid this habit of late-night snacking or eating close to bedtime.
Regular intake of highly spicy food can stimulate excessive gastric acid production. Similarly, deep-fried foods are slow to digest and trigger more acid production. Hence, these kinds of food should always be consumed in moderation.
One of the key ways to prevent heartburn is to avoid foods that trigger acid reflux. Caffeine-containing food and drinks, like tea or coffee, are highly acidic in nature and stimulate excessive gastric acid production. Likewise, carbonated beverages increase acidity because carbonation bubbles expand in the stomach and put pressure on the LES to open in the wrong direction and cause regurgitation of gastric acid.
It goes without saying that drinking alcohol is bad for your health, especially, if you suffer from heartburn. Alcohol increases your risk of acid reflux and also worsens the condition. It irritates the lining of the stomach and impairs the ability of the LES to clear up acid. Hence, avoid alcohol to ease the symptoms of heartburn.
Nicotine in cigarettes can relax the LES and trigger acidity. Hence, for the prevention of acidity and many other health benefits, it is always advisable to quit smoking.
Elevating the head of the bed by about 15-20 cm can reduce symptoms of acidity and improve quality of sleep. This can be achieved by using a foam wedge to support the upper body. Stacking of pillows usually does not provide the uniform support one needs.
It is important to maintain a gap of at least three hours between eating meals and hitting the sack. Lying down immediately after eating can increase the pressure on the LES which can make you vulnerable to acid reflux. Maintaining a gap can help the stomach to digest the food and prevent heartburn.