Acidity
What is Acid Reflux(Acidity)?
Acid reflux(Acidity), also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), happens when stomach acid or bile flows back into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. This backward flow, or reflux, can irritate the esophagus lining, leading to discomfort.
Symptoms of Acidity:
Heartburn: A burning sensation in the chest, often after eating, which may be worse at night or when lying down.
Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing.
Chest Pain: This can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack.
Chronic Cough: Especially noticeable at night or early in the morning.
Hoarseness or Sore Throat: Caused by irritation of the throat lining.
Nausea: Sometimes accompanied by a feeling of fullness.
Causes of Acid Reflux:
Weak Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES): The LES is a valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus. If it relaxes inappropriately, acid can flow back into the esophagus.
Hiatal Hernia: A condition where the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, potentially affecting the LES.
Eating Habits: Consuming large meals, lying down immediately after eating, eating late at night, or eating certain trigger foods can cause reflux.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and pressure on the stomach from the growing fetus can cause reflux.
Medications: Certain medications like NSAIDs, some blood pressure medications, and muscle relaxants can increase the risk of acid reflux.
Alcohol and Caffeine: These substances can relax the LES and increase stomach acid production.
Foods That Trigger Acid Reflux:
Spicy foods
Fatty or fried foods
Chocolate
Citrus fruits
Tomatoes
Garlic and onions
Mint
Carbonated drinks
Caffeine
Treatment and Prevention:
Lifestyle Changes:
Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Avoid trigger foods and drinks.
Elevate the head of your bed.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Quit smoking.
Medications:
For severe cases that do not respond to lifestyle changes and medication, surgical options like fundoplication may be considered. This procedure involves wrapping the top of the stomach around the LES to strengthen it and prevent reflux.
When to See a Doctor:
If you experience frequent acid reflux (more than twice a week), severe symptoms, or find that over-the-counter medications do not provide relief, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional. Chronic acid reflux can lead to complications such as esophagitis, esophageal strictures, or Barrett’s esophagus, which increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
By understanding and managing the causes and symptoms, individuals can significantly reduce the impact of acid reflux on their daily lives.
Causes of Acidity
Acidity often arises from a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which usually closes tightly after food enters the stomach. When this valve relaxes inappropriately, stomach contents can flow back into the esophagus, causing acid reflux. Here are the primary causes:
Unhealthy Eating Habits: Eating irregularly, consuming large meals late at night, or skipping meals can contribute to acidity. Factors include overeating, spicy or salty foods and inadequate fiber intake.
Excessive Consumption: Overindulgence in certain foods and beverages like tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, spicy dishes, and fatty foods such as pizza and fried items can trigger acidity.
Medication Effects: Certain medications, including NSAIDs, hypertension drugs, antibiotics, and those for anxiety and depression, can exacerbate acidity.
Digestive Disorders: Conditions like peptic ulcers, tumors, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can lead to acidity.
Stress: Emotional stress can increase stomach acid production and worsen GERD symptoms by affecting the LES.
Alcohol Use: Alcohol consumption can induce heartburn and acid reflux by increasing stomach acid production.
Poor Sleep: Inadequate sleep can make the esophagus more sensitive to acid, potentially worsening acid reflux symptoms during sleep.
To manage acidity, consider consuming foods known to alleviate symptoms like lemon, bananas, almonds, yogurt, and jaggery. Limiting alcohol and tobacco use can also help, along with chewing gum stimulate saliva production, which aids in digestion and reduces heartburn.
For specific dietary triggers, fatty, salty, and spicy foods are known culprits. Examples include fast food, dairy products, fatty meats, and citrus fruits, which can relax the esophageal sphincter and delay stomach emptying, thereby increasing acid reflux risk.
FAQ?
Home remedies include avoiding trigger foods (like spicy and fatty foods), eating smaller meals, not lying down immediately after eating, and elevating the head of the bed.
Medical attention is needed if acidity symptoms are severe or persistent, accompanied by difficulty swallowing, unintended weight loss, or if over-the-counter medications are ineffective.
Antacids (like Tums or Rolaids) and acid reducers (like H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors) can provide relief from acidity symptoms.