Acidity - Causes, Symptom, Treatment and Diagnosis

Acidity is a medical condition that is caused due to excess production of acid. This acid is produced by the glands of the stomach. Acidity causes signs such as ulcers in the stomach, gastric inflammation, heartburn, and dyspepsia.

It is usually caused due to several factors such as irregular eating patterns, lack of physical sports or activities, alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, fad diets, and poor eating habits. People are more prone to developing acidity in places where people consume more non-vegetarian, spicy and oily food.

A lot of medications such as NSAID (Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can also make an individual more susceptible to developing gastric acidity. Acidity is characterised by a deep burning sensation after consuming a heavy meal. Indigestion and constipation are also common in people who have acidity.

It can be cured by Home Remedies or by consuming antacids and implementing healthy. A technique is known as endosperm also provides immense relief from acid reflux. Common signs of acidity include indigestion, nausea, sour taste in the mouth, constipation, restlessness and burning sensation in the stomach & throat.

Our stomach usually produces gastric acids which help in digestion. The corrosive effects of these acids are balanced by the production of prostaglandins and natural bicarbonate which are secreted in the mucous lining. This damages the stomach lining and causes acidity.

Other factors which cause acidity include:

• Consuming non-vegetarians and spicy foods.
• Excessive stress.
• Consuming too much alcohol.
• Smoking frequently
• Stomach disorders such as stomach tumors, gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcers.
• Medications such as NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

The difference between acidity and gas is:

• Acidity is the condition in which the body produces more than the required amount of acid for digestion. Acidity is usually accompanied by heartburn.
• While Gas is produced in the colon and its aids in digestion. An average person releases gas about 20 times a day either through rectum or mouth.

  However, when the excess gas is produced or trapped because of eating large meals or spicy food, it is released through a burp.

  It can mild to extreme and sometimes cause stomach pain if it is trapped or when the digestive system is not running smoothly.

• Heartburn: A burning pain or discomfort that may move from the stomach to the abdomen, chest, or even up to the throat.
• Regurgitation: A bitter or sour-tasting acid will back into the throat or mouth that eventually makes sores in the spots.
• Stomach bloating, Hematemesis, bloody or black tarry stool, frequent burps, difficulty in swallowing, continuous hiccups, nausea, vomiting, feeling fullness always, chronic sore throat, persistent dry cough, restlessness, indigestion, and unexpected weight loss.

One can follow a number of methods to prevent acidity and they are quite simple to follow:

• Avoid foods causing reflux: Do not more spicy foods, coffee, carbonated beverages, acidic and fatty foods
• Split your meal: Do not stick to 3 times regular meal. Split it into 5 smaller portions so that pressure and reflux can be avoided
• Don’t lie down after eating: Take at least 2 hours to reach your bed after eating because the food will be back flown into the esophagus.
• Try to eliminate acidity triggering foods for some weeks, examine and reintroduce
• Lose weight: Excessive fat pressures the abdomen region, thus pushing gastric juice into the esophagus. Try to reduce weight if you are overweight
• Avoid certain medicines: Some OTC medicines like ibuprofen, paracetamol may induce acidity and other prescription medicines such as Anticholinergics, Dopamine-like drugs, Theophylline, Sedatives, Calcium channel blockers and beta-blocker do develop acidity.
• Try to wear loose clothes around the waist and stomach region as it could reduce the tension around the areas.

Acidity is diagnosed with various methods. Some of these are listed below:

• pH monitoring: It checks out the acid level in the esophagus. A device is inserted into the esophagus by the doctor; it is left there for 2 days to measure the amount of acid in the esophagus.
• Barium swallow: It helps to trace out the narrowed esophagus and ulcers. A solution has to be followed and then an X-Ray will be taken.
• Endoscopy: A long, flexible lighted tube with a tiny camera at the bottom is inserted through the mouth and with the help of the camera esophagus, stomach issues are checked out. It is done with the help of sedation or anesthesia.

Acidity can be cured by consuming antacids that contain aluminum, calcium or magnesium. Many times, H2 receptor blockers (histamine blocking agents) like nizatidine, famotidine, ranitidine, and cimetidine are used. Proton pump inhibitors are also prescribed by the doctor if you have severe acidity. Acidity can also be treated by Home Remedies such as consuming bananas, cold milk, aniseeds, cumin, cardamom, cloves, mint leaves, and ginger.

You can also prevent acidity by avoiding spicy foods or pickles during meals, eating more vegetables and fruits, not consuming non-vegetarian food, avoiding medications such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) & steroids and reducing stress.

Sometimes acidity can also be caused by consuming food just before sleeping. This provokes the stomach enzymes to flow back to your esophagus and cause acid reflux. This can be extremely detrimental to health.

Acidity is not a serious concern in most cases which can usually be calmed by over-the-counter medicines. But there are certain conditions that need to be treated under consultation with a doctor, such as:

• Occurrence of the symptoms for a longer duration than expected.
• Persistent heartburn in spite of medications.
• Change in frequency or intensity of acid reflux.
• Poor sleep quality due to nighttime symptoms.
• Acid reflux that interferes with your daily activities or affects your quality of life.
• Weight loss or decreased appetite.
• Difficulty in swallowing.
• Nausea or vomiting accompanying heartburn.
• Hoarseness of voice or wheezing.

Treatment in case of acid reflux is followed by some post-treatment guidelines which are such as:

• Avoidance of trigger factors of heartburn.
• Intake of the meal should be at least two to three hours before going to bed.
• Overeating should be avoided.
• Small and frequent meals should be preferred. Slow-eating of food should be preferred.

Acidity treatments generally include medications with antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors. Though immediate relief may be provided through these medicines, there are side effects that have been observed with their chronic use. Some of the proven side effects are bone fracture, renal failure, heart attack, dementia, and vitamin deficiency.

The recovery period in case of Acidity depends upon factors such as type of medications, the severity of the disease, and dietary intake. It takes more than a week to recover if proton pump inhibitors are taken, otherwise it may take comparatively less for H2 blockers.

In case erosion occurs as a result of Acidity, it takes many weeks to get over the disease while it can take up to a month if asthma occurs as a consequence. Diet plays an important role as it can speed up recovery.

The results of treatment may not be permanent. While medications help in prompt relief from the symptoms, lifestyle changes and avoidance of triggering factors help to achieve a permanent cure. In few cases, the symptoms may persist in spite of all efforts aimed at the treatment of Acidity.

Some of the natural ways to reduce the acidity are as follows:

• Almonds: It neutralises the stomach juice, relieves the pain and prevents acidity entirely. Munch almonds when you are in a situation of not taking your meals so that it avoids excessive acid secretion. Take 4 almonds after eating.
• Banana and Apple: Banana contains antacids naturally that fight against acidity and intake of a few slices of apple before bedtime helps in relieving heartburn or reflux.
• Coconut water: While drinking coconut water, the body’s pH acidic level turns alkaline and it produces mucus in the stomach. Mucous prevents the stomach from the severe effects of excessive acid production. This fibre-rich water supports digestion and prevents the remittance of acidity.
• Enough sleep: Go for at least 7 hours continuous sleep.

Also Read: Home remedies for acidity

The food that helps reduce acidity are:

1. Vegetables.
2. Ginger.
3. Oatmeal.
4. Egg whites.
5. Non citrus fruits such as melons, bananas, apples, and pears, help reduce acid triggers and symptoms.
6. Seafood and Lean meat such as turkey, fish, chicken.
7. Healthy fat such as walnuts, sesame oil, avocados, sunflower oil, flaxseed, and olive oil. This help reduces the saturated fat and replaces them with healthier unsaturated fats.

Medical management can be done with expenditure ranging from less than a rupee to up to 100 rupees. However, if surgical management is indicated then the expenditure varies from 50000 rupees to up to 200000 rupees.

Summary: Acidity is commonly referred to as acid reflux. It is a condition which is accompanied by the movement of gastric acid back into the esophagus. Occurrence of acidity is quite normal if it happens occasionally, but it's a serious concern if the frequency is high. Antacids, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors are some of the options to treat acidity. Consultation with a doctor is important for an early treatment, otherwise it may lead to complications such as ulcers, strictures and inflammation in oesophagus. Some of the diet modifications and lifestyle changes play an important role in controlling the condition.