Home Diet Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Acidity

Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Acidity

0
Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Acidity
Acidity

Acidity is a term used to describe a condition known as acid reflux in layman’s terms. It is caused by the retrograde flow of acid from the stomach to the esophagus, which is painful. When engaged in physical activity, the individual suffers an unpleasant burning feeling somewhere between their stomach and their throat. Heartburn is the medical term for this condition.

Symptoms

  • Coughing
  • Hiccups
  • The voice that is hoarse or has a hurting throat
  • Breath that is foul
  • Bloating
  • Suffering from nausea
  • Vomiting

These symptoms are typically worse following meals and when a person bends or lies down. While most people experience acidity on occasion, it is not considered persistent. Having stated that, GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a form of acid reflux that is both chronic and severe.

Generally, acidity is seen as very harmless. However, those with GERD are at an increased risk of developing more serious health problems such as oesophagitis and cancer.

Causes of acidity

When it comes to medical issues, acidity is no exception. It can be brought on by a multitude of factors ranging from one’s weight to one’s stress level and medicines. Let’s take a closer look at the key reasons for this.

 

Weight

As you acquire weight, your abdomen becomes increasingly large and heavy. This occurs as a result of the fat that surrounds the stomach’s muscles contracting. When you exceed the weight limit for your category, the fat in your stomach begins to exert pressure on it. If the stomach is subjected to excessive pressure, it will respond by pushing the acidic contents of the stomach upward into the esophagus, resulting in acidity in the body.

 

Smoking

In the same way that nicotine can loosen the lower esophageal sphincter during pregnancy, the nicotine present in cigarettes can do the same. This allows stomach acids and partially digested food to pass from the stomach and into the esophagus, causing acidity in the individual’s mouth and throat.

 

Anxiety or stress

Acid reflux is a common sign of panic episodes, as well as of general stress and anxiety. While there isn’t enough data to back up this claim, many researchers believe that intense stress might cause the brain’s pain receptors to become hypersensitive, which can cause chronic pain. If you do this, your body may become more sensitive to its own acid levels, which may result in acid reflux.

 

Medication

While medicine is a crucial component of everyday living, it comes with a long list of negative side effects that cannot be ignored. Acidity is one of the negative effects that many drugs indicate as a possible occurrence. This is especially true for anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen.

 

Pregnancy

The esophageal sphincter is a tight circular band at the stomach’s top. This band keeps semi-digested and digested food from leaving the stomach. Several hormones are released throughout pregnancy to help the process. These hormones relax the sphincter, allowing partially digested food and stomach juices to enter the esophagus. The pregnancy hormone progesterone also worsens the activity. It inhibits digestion, causing undigested food to move backward.

 

Some foods

Many researchers now believe that acid-forming elements in diet and drink can lower one’s PH. Overconsumption of these meals causes acid accumulation in the body. This causes acidity and heartburn.

When coping with acidity, avoid caffeinated, spicy, fatty, and highly processed foods. Coffee, colas, and chocolate are examples.

 

Other health issues

Acidity is quite common due to medical disorders like hiatus or hiatal hernia. The diaphragm hole widens, allowing food and liquid to pass from the esophagus to the stomach. If the hole is large enough, stomach contents may migrate up into the esophagus, causing acid reflux.

How to deal with acidity

Fortunately, acid reflux is a relatively simple ailment to treat. A combination of medication and lifestyle adjustments is required, but it is possible. Let’s take a closer look at this.

 

Medication

Many over-the-counter drugs are available to treat acid reflux. While this may be effective in the short term, we recommend visiting a physician and developing a long-term strategy based on the conditions that underlie the underlying causes.

 

Sleeping hours and positions

Mealtimes and bedtimes should be separated by at least two hours. Reducing the risk of reflux is a benefit of this treatment.

The angle and height of your bed may have an effect on your acidity. Because your stomach and esophagus are in the same line, you are more likely to have acid reflux. To avoid this, use a few rolled-up towels at one end of the mattress to raise the head of the mattress 10 cm – 20 cm.

 

Obesity reduction

Obesity, as previously mentioned, can lead to extreme acidity. Because of this, you must take the proper precautions to avoid it. You may get started by exercising at least four times a week and eating a diet high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats to get your metabolism revved up.

 

Consult a dietician

It’s a good idea to see a dietitian if you have heartburn on a frequent basis. They will offer you a better understanding of the foods that irritate you and help you design a diet plan that is tailored to your specific needs. Dietary changes will not only assist regulate acidity, but they will also aid in long-term weight loss.