Acidity - What Are The Symptoms And Causes of Acidity

Acidity is generally caused by an imbalance between mechanisms of the secretion of acid in the stomach, and protective mechanisms that ensure the stomach’s safety. The stomach secretes acidic fluid that helps in digestion process. But when the stomach exceeds the production of the acid by glands present within it, it results in the situation termed as acidity. Acidity is referred to hyperacidity.nnAcidity refers to a set of symptoms caused by an imbalance between the acid secreting mechanism of the stomach and proximal intestine and the protective mechanisms that ensure their safety. The stomach normally secretes acid that is essential in the digestive process. This acid helps in breaking down the food during digestion. When there is excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach, it results in the condition known as acidity.nnIn acidity, there is a movement of gastric juices (carrying acid) from the stomach into the lower esophagus (food pipe). This condition mainly arises when acidic contents in stomach (hydrochloric acid) move upward into the esophagus and making it dysfunctional.nnSymptoms of aciditynn1. Burning sensation or pain in the stomach after one to four hours of a mealn2. Feel hungry frequentlyn3. Constant pain in upper abdomenn4. Belching, nausea, bitter taste in mouth, vomiting and loss of appetiten5. Heartburn is characterized by a deeply placed, burning pain in the chest behind the sternum (breast-bone). It occurs after meals and is precipitated by increase in intra-abdominal pressure like straining or lifting weights. n6. Dyspepsia is a burning or an aching pain in the upper abdomen, sometimes described as a stabbing sensation penetrating through the gut.nnCauses of AciditynnDue to some problems in the functioning of the digestive systemnnSometimes excessive intake of alcohol also leads to aciditynnAcidity also arises either by keeping stomach empty for long time or skipping breakfast nnEating foods rich in fats like chocolates also causes aciditynnPregnancy, aging or obesity can also cause aciditynnThe body secretes bicarbonate into the mucous layer, which neutralizes the acid. Hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins help to keep the blood vessels in the stomach dilated, ensuring adequate blood flow.nnEating junk foods, oily and spicy foods also leads to burning sensation in stomach andnChest area and causes acidity.nnExcessive exposure to sun and heat. nAspirin and antHnflammatory drugs.nnThe primary cause of acidity is credited to inappropriate food habits of modern man.n nPeople today hardly ever think about compatibility of food.nnExcess acid secretion can also cause acidity and ulcers, when the normal protective lining of the stomach and duodenum (the part of the intestine that joins the stomach), is damaged. The resulting ulcer is called gastric ulcer if it is in the stomach and duodenal ulcer if it is in the duodenum.nnPreventionnnPrevention mainly consists of avoiding the known causative factors like alcohol consumption, spicy foods, drugs like NSAID's, steroids etc. Patients with highly nervous and emotional disposition and those involved in high-stress jobs must be given psychological treatment. Avoiding non-vegetarian diets is also useful in minimising symptoms of acidity. nnAcidity Treatment and Advicenn1. Eat fruits like apple, watermelon and bananan2. Avoid fried food, pickle, hot and spicy foodn3. Take your meals on timen4. Drink plenty of watern5. Don’t skip your meals.n6. Avoid garlic, onion, pepper, radish and cabbagen7. Eat green and leafy vegetablesn8. Take light meals that make it easy for digestive system to quickly digest the food you eat.n9. spicy, salty and acidic should be avoided. n10.Smoking and alcohol consumption must be stopped.