Heartburn and acid reflux are the commonly noticed symptoms of acidity. Why is acidity so common today? Read on to know acidity symptoms, causes, and home remedies.
Acidity is a condition wherein excessive amounts of acid is secreted by the gastric glands of stomach. These days, complaints about heartburn and gas formation are fairly common. So, knowing about acidity symptoms and cure is essential. Acid produced by your body is actually required for digestion of the food you eat. However, if acid produced by the body is more than what is required, then the excessive gastric juices move from your stomach into the lower part of esophagus. This can seriously affect the function of esophagus.
Stomach Acidity
Symptoms
Loss of appetite, nausea
Prolonged heartburn
Chest pain, inflammation in chest
Vomiting, bitter taste in mouth
Gastro-esophageal acid reflux
Belching, constant pain in the upper abdomen
Feeling hungry frequently
Coughing, respiratory problems
Burning sensation or pain in the stomach, after a meal
Pain during muscular contractions
Voice change and formation of ulcer in esophagus
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease(GERD) or acidity can occur due to many reasons.
Causes
Gastro duodenal (peptic) ulcer
Not having meals on time
Dysfunction of digestive system
Reflux of gastric acid due to weakness of the valves
Alcohol abuse
Excessive smoking
Eating fried and spicy food on a regular basis
Being on an empty stomach for a long time or skipping breakfast or lunch
Excessive exposure to sun and heat
Pregnancy
Aging
Obesity
Eating fatty food in excessive quantity. You should keep a list of foods that cause heartburn, handy.
Depression or negative emotions
Hyper secretion of hydrochloric acid
Irregular and inappropriate food habits
Once the exact cause of acidity is known, it is easy to design the treatment. Symptoms like dizziness and fever imply hyper acidity. Symptoms of stomach acidity should never be overlooked.
Body Acidity Symptoms
Sometimes your doctor may ask for a blood test to check the pH of your blood. Optimal pH of the blood is 7.2. The body is capable of maintaining that pH with the help of several natural control-mechanisms that include getting rid of excess acid.
Lack of oxygen, imbalance of protein, carbohydrates, and acid producing foods, cellular breakdown, and production of metabolic waste may result in excessive production of acid in the body.
Appendicitis
Hot flashes
Joint pain
Deafness
Hemorrhoids
Estrogen imbalance
Herpes
Blurred vision
You need to alkalize your body by consuming more alkaline foods, for example, dried figs, dries apricots, raisins, almonds, dried prunes, spinach, cucumber, beets, avocado, grapefruit, pineapple, banana, cabbage, etc.
Treatment for Acidity
If obesity is the problem, you should follow a weight loss diet and try to maintain your weight within the normal range.
Chewing on a piece of clove will bring immediate relief from acidity.
Regular intake of fresh mint juice works great for acidity.
Boil some cumin seeds in water, let it cool and then use it for drinking. It will help you get rid of acidity.
A glass of cabbage juice everyday, chewing jaggery after meal, cold milk, coconut water, raw garlic, can help cure acidity.
You should eat carbohydrates like rice, as they can be easily digested and they do not lead to the formation of acid.
A glass of warm water every day, early in the morning is the simplest remedy for acidity, as water is supposed to neutralize it. Drinking more water everyday can also help prevent it altogether.
Instead of big meals, eat small meals. Have your dinner at least 3 hours before sleeping. Avoid late nights and skipping of meals. Protein and calcium rich foods, like milk or dairy products should be avoided at night.
Some important lifestyle changes are expected from the patients who always face the problem of acidity. Avoiding alcohol, smoking, caffeine, fast food, oily or fried food, onion, citrus fruits, spicy food, fatty and sugary food items like chocolates, etc., is beneficial. They can always keep a list of acidic foods handy.
You are expected to take care of your digestive health sincerely if you frequently suffer from acidity. As acidity itself can be a symptom of another health problem, which might require prompt medical attention, you should consult your physician as early as possible.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and it should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.