I have been complaining about stomach discomforts lately and this is the reason why I decided to research about Hyperacidity, also called Acid Dyspepsia - suspected cause of my stomach distress. Although I am thankful that I don’t really feel pain just as others do but still not comfortable having this feelings.
So the purpose of this blog is to give or share essential information about the symptoms and causes of hyperacidity as well as medications and to be able to suggest few of those effective home remedies available.
What is Hyperacidity?
Merriam Webster simply defined hyperacidity as “the condition of containing more than the normal amount of acid”. This refers to a medical condition by which the stomach secretes or produce a lot of acids which can be caused by prolong intake of various medications (like anti-inflammatory drugs), stress, smoking or inapt eating habits like eating too much spicy foods.
SYMPTOMS
Hyperacidity has innumerable symptoms, which include sudden stomach and chest pain (again I’m thankful I only felt discomfort), coughing and pain in ears and muscular contraction (these I really don’t know the connection but have to learn it in my future research/blogs) vomiting, loss of appetite, flatulence and heartburn.
Most of the times hyperacidity will lead to other complications such as chronic indigestion and gastric ulcers.
CAUSES
~ Alcohol ~
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I think drinking alcohol is one of the major reasons, it can not only damage your liver, but also can incite hyperacidity problem. Although this will not be applicable in my case since I seldom drink alcohol when I was still in the Philippines and absolutely zero chance here in KSA as drinking hard liquor is prohibited here.
~Smoking ~
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I read somewhere that plain smoking doesn’t have to do with Hyperacidity I mean it cannot induce the stomach to secrete to much acid but according to Dr. Shilpa Sharma of Practo heavy smoking is considered to be the other most important cause of hyperacidity. And since I am not a cigarette smoker myself, that’s means the stomach angst I have at present is absolutely not due to heavy smoking.
~ Eating habits ~
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I believe that eating habits has an important role or participation in this medical condition.
The way you eat and what you eat are some of the important factors on which hyperacidity depends. Spicy, oily and fried foods cause the problem of acidity. People who skip their meals or do not eat at proper time are also prone to hyperacidity symptoms.– Dr. Shilpa Sharma
~ Stress ~
Another cause of hyperacidity is stress.
Stress is your body's way of responding to any kind of demand. It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. When people feel stressed by something going on around them, their bodies react by releasing chemicals into the blood. These chemicals give people more energy and strength, which can be a good thing if their stress is caused by physical danger. But this can also be a bad thing, if their stress is in response to something emotional and there is no outlet for this extra energy and strength. – Understanding and Dealing with Stress via www.mtstcil.org
Since stress is one of the major factors which is responsible for hyperacidity, indulging into breathing exercises and meditation is extremely advisable, doing these exercises regularly will surely prevent hyperacidity.
There are other causes of hyperacidity and this includes the following:
Obesity - Obese people may have the problem more because of the excess pressure on the digestive tract.
Pregnancy – I don’t really know exactly the connection but maybe this could be a good topic in the future.
Eating junk foods
Aging
Fasting
Since hyperacidity problems can interfere your daily activities, it should be treated in a timely manner, I mean we should not wait that such condition will lead to a more serious illness if not treated at its early stage.
60-70 million people suffer from digestive diseases in the United States alone. 20% of the population experience Gastroesophageal Reflux symptoms weekly. Stomach acidity is a recurrent problem in a lot of people.
Before I will proceed to the usual or typical treatment of hyperacidity I would like to point out some effective home remedies so let us take a look at some of the home remedies available. I am sure this could help us in our quest to fight hyperacidity. We should also remember that home remedies for acidity are without any side effects and can bring immense relief if consistently pursued.
HOME REMEDIES
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1. Do you know that drinking cold milk in small quantities after meals can help bring down acidity? Yes, and that’s because of calcium.
2. Maybe the presence of Milk or calcium in ice creams is also the reason why eating ice creams can also help lower down acidity in the stomach.
3. Sipping on mint juice after meals can be very useful.
3. A pinch of baking soda ( a natural antacid) added to a glass of water can give immediate relief from gas and acidity.
4. Bananas are full of potassium and can help reduce acidity symptoms if taken daily.
5. Ginger is very useful in treating digestion problems. A spoonful of ginger juice 2-3 times a day can relieve acidity.
6. Eat an apple.
7. Adjust meal habits. Many specialists believe that late night eating can make symptoms worse. So we should not eat for 2-3 hours before bedtime to reduce the risk of food putting pressure on our lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
8. Take a probiotic supplement. Probiotics are mixtures of "good" bacteria normally found in your gut.
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What should be avoided?
1. Acidic and sour condiments like sauces, hot sauce, vinegar, pickles etc should be avoided.
2. Fried and oily food can give a bad time and should be kept away.
3. Keep away from eating raw vegetables like onion, radish, cucumber, tomatoes and peppers.
4. Stay away from alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.
5. Don’t drink water during or immediately after a meal. It dilutes gastric juices and can inhibit proper digestion.
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Some important facts to know:
Skipping meals worsens the acidity problem.
Not having sufficient sleep can also aggravate the acidity problem.
Exercising is very helpful. Don’t go to bed right after a meal. A small stroll or walk post meal is very beneficial.
Drink lots of water, about 8-10 glasses a day.
Always speak with your doctor before starting any herbal treatment, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.
Raise the head of your bed if symptoms interfere with sleep.
Losing weight may reduce some of the pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter, keeping stomach acid from leaking through.
Eat smaller meals. Decrease the amount of food you eat at any one time. This may reduce the amount of stress and pressure on your stomach.
Eat slowly. This helps your stomach digest food more easily and quickly.
Don't wear clothes that constrict your stomach or abdomen.
Herbal teas such as chamomile tea can relieve stress and prevent acid build up in the stomach.
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Some of the foods and beverages that triggers hyperacidity, which means we should avoid or consume moderately.
Citrus fruit
Caffeinated beverages
Chocolate
Tomatoes
Garlic, onions
TREATMENT
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I am happy to know that hyperacidity also known as heartburn, Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease, Acid Reflux Disease, etc is an uncomfortable problem that can be treated somewhat easily.
An easy hyperacidity remedy is to take over-the-counter antacids like Kremil-s. When taken an hour after eating, most antacids help in relieving symptoms of acidity and work by neutralizing the acids in the stomach.
But we should keep in mind that this is simply a temporary solution. If we really want to get rid of this condition we should consult a doctor.
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I hope you will learn something from this blog as I did. If you want to add something don't hesitate to write a comment below.
