Acidity is a common health issue that affects the majority of Indians. In fact, one would find one or two members in every family who suffer from acidity. Based on the severity of acidity, it can be classified into two broad categories – mild acidity and acute acidity. There is a third type which is rare but very harmful, chronic acidity.
Now, the question is what exactly acidity is in medical terms?
Acidity is the uneasy sensation of burning in the food pipe that is predominantly caused by the consumption of oily and spicy food. In many cases, the uncomfortable burning sensation gets escalated to heartburn. This health condition, in medical terms, is accounted as acidity or acid reflux.
Our stomach constitutes multiple gastric glands that secret hydrochloric acid. In the case of maldigestion, an overflow of gastric juice (i.e. hydrochloric acid) takes place. This excess amount of hydrochloric acid causes acid reflux, a burning sensation in the food pipe.
Symptoms of Acidity
There are some typical symptoms associated with acidity. The predominant symptoms are:
- Burning sensation in the food pipe
- Heartburn along with a burning sensation near the chest area
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Loss of appetite
- A bitter and sour taste in the mouth
- Burping with a prolonged acid smell.
Causes of Acidity
- Unhealthy eating habit is the chief contributor to acid reflux. For instance, the consumption of spicy and oily food, eating milk and dairy products right after having animal protein, no fixed routine of eating, and bad habits like alcoholism, and smoking often end up in acidity.
- Sleep kits up ‘ravel sleeve of care’ and the very lack of it lead to various health issues. Acidity is also a byproduct of inappropriate sleeping habits, particularly having no biological clock which worsens the situation.
- The consumption of certain medicines and steroids may cause acidity at times. However, doctors prescribe digestive tablets for such medicines.
- Hypertension badly affects our digestive system, causing acid reflux and bowel issues.
- Medical conditions such as hernia, peptic ulcer, diabetes, and asthma could also be the additional contributors to acidity.
Home Remedies for Acidity
Acidity, as we have already mentioned is a common household issue. You can always go for medical treatment for acidity, but if you have a tendency for acidity that stays by and large at a mild level, try out these home remedies for a sustainable solution.
Sleep with Your Head Elevated
Acidity occurs mostly during the night. You can practice lying down with a pillow to keep your head slightly raised from the rest of your body. This helps control acid reflux at night. Some researches reveal that sleeping on the left side is good for acidity reduction
Walk a Mile after Dinner
This is an old English proverb but it holds its essence to date. Our lifestyle does not allow us much free time and therefore we tend to go to bed as soon as we finish dining. However, if you walk or have some sort of physical movement right after dinner, it catalyzes digestion.
Eat Selectively
It is true that the spiciest and oiliest fast food attract us more since they are tasty. However, this could potentially leave a long-lasting effect on your digestive system. Do not eat fast food, and above all, avoid overeating. When you eat after you reach the saturation point, it is bound to cause acid reflux.
Chew Gums’
Chewing gums trigger more saliva secretion in the mouth cavity. Saliva contains various digestive enzymes that indirectly help reduce acidity.
Before you need to take resort to medical assistance, try out these home remedies for acid reflux. These practices are not going to harm you and above all, there is no side effect of instilling a few good habits. Acidity may not appear to be a life-threatening disease, but you can always keep the discomfort of acidity at bay with these home remedies.