Everybody enjoys eating spicy food. When the mouth watering dishes are gulped down in unlimited quantity, it leads to acid reflux which is called acidity.
It is a condition where the person experiences a burning sensation in the chest. The gastric glands in the stomach produce acid which is required for digestion. During acidity the same acid flows back up into the food pipe.
Acidity is also called acid reflux which is a condition characterized by heartburn that is felt around the lower chest area. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting the mouth and stomach (esophagus).
This backwash (acid reflux) irritates the lining of esophagus and it may lead oesophagal damage leading to oesophagus cancer. Acid reflux may also wear down the enamel of teeth leading to cavities.
GERD is mild acid reflux which many people experience. It can be managed with small changes in daily routine life and medications.
Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are painful sores in the stomach lining. In this case people often complain of abdominal pain. These ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer disease affecting both the stomach and small intestines. The thick layer of mucus which protect thestomach from digestive juices is reduced. This digestive acid erodes the tissues that line the stomach causing an ulcer.
Common Reasons Or Causes Of Acidity
The common reasons causing acidity are :
Unhealthy Eating Habits
Excess Consumption of certain foods
Irregular Mealtime
Side effects of certain medicines
Other Symptoms causing acidity are
Common Symptoms Are Seen In Patients Suffering From Acidity
The symptoms commonly seen in patients are : –
- Abdominal pain
- Burning sensation and pain in the chest
- Dysphagia
- Regurgitation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Burping or hiccups
- Halitosis
- Dry cough
- Post meal heaviness, indigestion.
- Blood in stool and sometimes during vomiting also.
Differentiating the symptoms like chest pain, chest heaviness and pain in heart sometimes becomes difficult and has to be diagnosed to rule out any complication.
Some simple tips if included in life will surely help in getting rid of acidity. Some changes which may help us are
- Losing weight
- Consumption of healthy food and increasing the immunity
- Following / maintaining regular eating time.
- Instead of having heavy meals, take small, frequent meals at regular time intervals.
- Including fibrous food and avoiding caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee.
- Avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking.
- Doing regular workouts, exercises, yoga asanas and meditation to keep the mind cool and body healthy.
- Trying to avoid medicines that cause acidity.
Tests Done To Diagnose Acidity
If the person experiences mild symptoms of acid reflux like heartburn, chest pain without any troublesome complications, it may become easy for the doctor to treat the patient.
In some cases Upper Gastrointestinal endoscopy has to be done wherein a thin scope with a light and camera is inserted through mouth to check the upper digestive system , the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum.
People above 40 years of age and having complaints such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes need to get ECG done to rule out any doubts before starting with the treatment for acidity.
Timely treatment for acidity will help in avoiding any major complications. If left untreated acidity may lead to oesophageal stricture, Barret’s esophagus and the chances of esophageal or stomach cancer increases.
Based on the condition and the depth of the acid reflux problem, your consulting physician would prescribe an antacid that contains aluminium, calcium or magnesium.
If the condition is more severe, your doctor may treat accordingly taking into consideration all other factors too.
Certain do’s and don’ts may help in controlling acidity, like
- Keep yourself hydrated.
- Maintaining regular meal time.
- Avoiding late night spicy food , one should take buttermilk that normalizes the acidity in the stomach.
- Including juicy fruits and vegetables brings in a lot of relief.
In short, acidity is a common problem that most of us face in day to day life due to excess stress and a busy schedule. Some home remedies can help, but if the symptoms are severe, getting treatment immediately at the right time can help in getting relief from acidity.
So take proper care of your stomach to keep away from acidity and avoid other complications.
