Things you need to know
- Acidity is a highly common health issue that causes digestive symptoms.
- Stomach acid is important to promote digestion. It helps in breaking down and absorbing the nutrients from the food you consume.
- Excessive amount of stomach acid can cause a range of digestive symptoms.
Acidity
Your body naturally produces a highly acidic liquid called the stomach acid. These acids are responsible for breaking down the food you eat and absorbing the nutrients present.
Acidity is a digestive problem that happens when your stomach produces more acid than required for digestion. High stomach acid can cause unpleasant symptoms and discomfort.
Acidity symptoms
The signs and symptoms of acidity are similar to those of other digestive diseases. Common acidity symptoms include:
- Discomfort in abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Decreased or loss of appetite
- Sour taste in the mouth
- Restlessness
- Belching
- Constipation
Acidity causes
Unhealthy eating habits and patterns, certain medications and genetic diseases are some common acidity causes. Acidity can affect any individual who has the above given factors. However, some people are more prone to being affected by this condition.
Risk factors of acidity include:
- Excessive intake of alcohol
- Overeating
- Obesity
- Consumption of spicy, fatty and fried foods
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Hernia
Acidity treatment
Acidity is usually diagnosed when a person presents with the above-given symptoms. Your healthcare provider will discuss your medical history and your symptoms to precisely diagnose your condition.
Acidity treatment is dependent on the severity of your symptoms. Your doctor will recommend certain lifestyle measures and may prescribe some medications to help manage acidity.
Prolonged and untreated acidity can cause ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, spicy food, acidic food like lemon and oranges, food rich in fat content such as junk food should be avoided in case of acidity.
Based on your overall health and symptoms, your doctor may indicate certain tests including pH monitoring, endoscopy, barium swallow test and esophageal manometry.
