Acid reflux is a common problem. It can happen in two ways, either through the mouth or through the stomach and into the throat. The most common symptom of acidity is heartburn, which we all know as that burning sensation you feel after eating something rich, fatty, or spicy.
You may also experience dry coughs, regurgitation (a sour-tasting residue), bloating, nausea, headaches, and weight loss, among other symptoms of acidity.
Acid reflux can lead to serious health issues if left untreated for long periods of time, such as damage to the esophagus lining and even heart diseases like angina or heart attack!
What Is Acidity?
Acidity can be found in the stomach, blood, spinal fluid, urine, saliva, and even the air around us. It is measured on a pH scale. A pH value of 7 is neutral, acid has a pH value less than 7, and alkaline solutions have a higher pH value (greater than 8).
Acidic foods include fruit juices, soft drinks, carbonated beverages, alcohol, and other sweet or starchy foods such as pasta. The human body also produces acids from the breakdown of protein. These acids are used if there is an infection or injury to the tissues present in our body.
A healthy gastric acid is very important for the digestion of food and the maintenance of our immune system, so we need to have a balance between alkaline and acidic. If you have excessive stomach acids, it can be caused by stress, anxiety, certain medications (especially gastric ulcer or GERD drugs), eating too much sugar, and even citrus fruits.
Causes of Acidity
The main cause of acidity is overeating. When we consume too much food, the body reacts by taking in all the extra acids, and this makes our stomach acidic. It’s basically trying to digest itself!
Many people also suffer from drinking carbonated drinks, junk foods, and alcoholic beverages, which are very bad for their health and lead to acidity problems.
Acidic foods are bad because they raise the PH levels of the body, which makes your stomach acidic and results in heartburn, indigestion, and other sicknesses.
There are two types of people when it comes to eating an acidic diet-there are those who do not suffer from any symptoms of acidity, and there are others who suffer from severe acidity problems.
Symptoms of Acidity
The symptoms of acidity include chest pain, bloating, gas, frequent burping and belching, and even heartburn. You may also feel like your stomach is burning up inside after you have eaten certain foods or swallowed something sour in your mouth.
Some people suffer from a dry cough when they eat acidic food, while others might experience a sore throat or nausea.
Acid Reflux And its Treatment
As mentioned above, there are several factors that can contribute to excess acidity in your body.
There are many simple home remedies for acidity that you could try today – one being baking soda before going to bed at night. You can also drink a glass of water mixed with baking soda (one tablespoon) after every meal, or you could undergo a simpler and easier way by using ginger and cardamom tea. Add one teaspoon each into boiling water, let it simmer for five minutes, strain it before drinking.
This home remedy helps treat acidity naturally.
Another way to cure acidity would be to take foods that are rich in prebiotic fibre, such as bananas and avocados. These foods have been found to promote good bacteria in the gut that helps reduce overall bad bacteria while eliminating heartburn at the same time. Probiotics might not help everyone, but it does for most people; therefore it is worth a try.
Ginger, when mixed with green tea and honey, helps reduce the acidity in your stomach. Alternatively, you can try mint leaves for the same purpose-add them into boiling water, and let them steep for 10 minutes before drinking. Another effective way to deal with acidity is by eating cherries; their juice has been found to relieve heartburn.
Marigold flowers also help reduce acidity. Boil ten tablespoons of marigold flowers in one litre of water for 10 minutes; when it cools down, strain the liquid and drink five millilitres three times a day (after breakfast, lunch, and dinner). You can also try chamomile tea.
Finally, a healthy diet and lifestyle are very important to help reduce stomach acidity; therefore, you should limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine as much as possible. Moreover, it helps to avoid eating fatty foods; also cut down on sugar and salt because they affect the body’s fluid balance. Last but not least-exercise often. A healthy exercise routine will keep your heart in shape, and it can even help treat acidity.
Easy Home Remedies for Acidity
Every day, acidity can confront you with a wave of discomfort and keep you from feeling well. With classic healthy living habits, such as avoiding fatty foods and alcohol, as well as simple remedies like drinking baking soda or ginger tea, you can come out of this problem no worse for wear.
- Cold Milk
- Coconut Water
- Black Cumin Seeds
- Fennel or Saunf
- Lukewarm Water
- Cardamom
- Watermelon Juice
- Buttermilk
- Ginger
- Cloves
- Banana
- Papaya
- Ajwain
- Turmeric
- Jaggery
Side Effects of Untreated Acidity
Acidity and heartburn are two of the most frequently occurring digestive problems worldwide. The severity of acidity varies from person to person, but in severe conditions, it can lead to ulcers, serious health complications, and even death.
If you experience any persistent symptoms that might be related to acidity, such as frequent burping or vomiting after meals, then please consult a doctor immediately.
Lifestyle Changes to Treat Acidity in Adults
Certain changes to your lifestyle can help you treat acidity problems.
- Eat smaller meals
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid alcohol
- Include fibre in your diet
- Avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks
- Avoid stress
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Eat clean and healthy
- Sleep well
- Exercise regularly
Acidity in Babies and Children
Children and infants alike experience heartburn and acidity. Heartburn is often a sign of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or acid reflux-in this condition, and stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus.
People with heartburn in both adults and children may often have an unhealthy lifestyle.
Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Infants and Children:
- Arching of the back during feedings
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Fussiness
- Hoarse voice
- Painful swallowing
- Poor eating
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Wheezing
Treatment
Treatments for acidity range from dietary changes to medication.
- Offer small, more frequent meals to your children rather than three large meals.
- Avoid letting your child eat just before bed
- Avoid giving your child spicy food, soft drinks, and fried foods. Reduce consumption of refined sugars-use items like brown sugar, jaggery, or millet instead.
- Raise the head of the child with a pillow
- If these remedies don’t work, consult a doctor.
Summary
Acidity, also known as acid reflux or heartburn, is a common issue for many people. Certain lifestyle changes and food habits or home remedies can help you deal with it. If symptoms are persistent and severe, talk to your doctor right away.
When acid reflux becomes a daily annoyance, it could be damaging the lining of your oesophagus. Additionally, chronic acidity can lead to other serious health issues.
Eat and drink in moderation. Watch for symptoms of acidity, eat some home remedies for it, and take care of your health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What causes acidity?
A: Acidity is when stomach acid goes into your chest. This can happen when there is too much acid in the stomach or after a person has had food and drinks together. This can also happen if they have a hiatal hernia, which means that they have an injury from the waist to their ribs.
Q. What is the quickest way to cure acidity?
A: Acidity can be cured by changes in your lifestyle and diet. Switching to a healthy diet, and avoiding processed food, fried food, and sugary food can help reduce acidity and heartburn substantially. You can also get relief from symptoms of acidity with medicine or simple solutions like baking soda, ginger, cardamom, apple cider vinegar, and lemon water.
Q: What time is best to take baking soda for acidity?
A: You can take the baking soda one hour before eating anything or before sleeping; it depends on your case. The time differs from person to person, so be sure to consult a doctor if you are prone to acidity often.
Q: What are the symptoms of acidity?
A: Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of acidity. It can also make you cough and vomit. Other symptoms are bloating, nausea, headache, weight loss, hiccups, or trouble swallowing.
Q: Does acidity lead to heart disease?
A: Heartburn can be very painful. It is not always easy to tell the difference between the symptoms of heartburn and a heart attack. But when in doubt, it is always advisable to consult a doctor. Heart attacks are usually accompanied by chest pain caused by insufficient flow of blood to the heart, but heartburn often causes chest pain as well.
Q: Does any physical exercise help to cure acidity?
A: Being upright is good for acid in your stomach. Low-impact exercises can also help. Yoga has been shown to be effective at treating acidity and acid reflux problems if you keep practising. Low-impact exercises, a healthy lifestyle, eating right, eating on time, and sleeping properly also help reduce the symptoms of chronic acidity problems.
Q: How do you know that your chest pain is due to acidity or heartburn?
A: Heartburn can feel like a burning feeling in the upper stomach and makes it hard to sleep. But if you are not sure, it is better to be safe than sorry! If what you’re experiencing doesn’t go away after changing your diet, seeing a dietitian, or taking medicine for heartburn, it’s time to see your doctor.
Q: What is the best home remedy for acidity?
A: The most effective home remedies for acidity are those that have antacids. These ingredients help neutralize stomach acids and reduce associated symptoms like heartburn, abdominal pain, bloating, gas and nausea.
Q: What is the best way to prevent acidity?
A: To keep acidity at bay, eat a healthy diet that’s rich in fibre and drink plenty of water. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as these increase stomach acids. Also, avoid eating late in the evening. You can also take steps to prevent heartburn at night by raising the head of your bed or by using a wedge pillow.
Q: Which is better – over-the-counter or prescription antacids for acidity?
A: Over-the-counter antacids are effective in treating acidity, but they can have side effects. Prescription antacids are stronger and have fewer side effects. If you’re taking medicine for acidity frequently, it is best to consult a doctor.
Q: Can ginger or fennel help relieve symptoms of acidity?
A: Yes, ginger can be used as a tea for relieving the symptoms of acid reflux and indigestion.
