Why do we suffer acidity?

Most of us experience acidity especially after large late-night meals, those wedding dinners, parties, etc. Most often, we tend to believe that the acidity caused is due to the meals, spicy food, fried items, etc. that you munched on a night before. However, we do not interrogate the basic cause of it until it becomes a recurring problem. 

Our stomach naturally produces and releases acid, sometimes when the process does not function routinely or is hindered by certain activities, the acid formation results in pain and discomfort. Now and then we experience acid formation in the body that is mainly caused because Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) – a valve at the stomach entrance - does not close at all or opens too often while it should close as soon as the food passes through it. This hindrance causes the natural, non-harmful acid in the stomach to move up the esophagus and create acidity and heartburn. Our stomachs maintain a healthy PH balance on regular days; acidity occurs when this PH level is disturbed and remains acidic over a larger period of time than usual. This distresses the thin stomach lining and causes the formation of acid in the stomach. 

The hydrochloric acid (HCI) produced by the stomach helps in the digestion of food, kills bacteria that enter the body through food, and activates enzyme pepsin that supports the breaking down of protein and absorption of B12. The stomach maintains a higher level of HCI (2-5.5) as compared to the rest of the body (7.45). The pepsin activated can function effectively in an acidic environment; so when the stomach’s digestive process is hampered, it makes the food stay in the stomach longer causing the formation of gases which ultimately result in bloating, gas problem, stomach burning, stomach ache, and acidity. Acidity also leads to continuous burping, nausea, and heartburn. 

If you consume more food when the acid in the stomach is formed, it further pressurizes the stomach lining. Thus, consuming a balanced meal becomes very critical to ensure acidity cure. Though acidity symptoms vary from person to person, some common acidity symptoms that could help you detect acidity problem include:

• Heartburn
• Reflux of bitter/sour tasting acid in the mouth or throat
• Bloating
• Excessive Burping
• The feeling of food being stuck in the throat
• Nausea
• Dry cough
• Wheezing
• Unstoppable hiccups

These acidity symptoms are further aggravated by risk factors and lifestyle habits such as:

• Large meals
• Directly lying down after meals
• Overweight
• Bedtime snacking
• Alcohol
• Carbonated drinks
• Excessive coffee or tea
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Certain medicines including aspirin
• Foods such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, garlic, onions, or oily and spicy items. 
• Lack of physical exercise
• High intake of salt

If you experience acidity symptoms such as heartburn and chest discomfort more than twice a week, you might have to consult your doctor immediately and check for acid reflux disease, also popularly called as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Recurring acidity problems can cause long-term damages to the esophagus such as:
Esophagitis: In this case, the stomach lining is distressed causing inflammation, irritation, bleeding and also the formation of ulcers. 
Strictures: The prolonged acid in the stomach creates scars leading to difficulty in swallowing.
Barrett’s Esophagus: The most serious complication that causes changes in cells and tissues on the esophagus due to repeated formation of excess acid in the stomach. This complication could also lead to the formation of cancer cells. 

That said, there are multiple over the counter drugs for acidity cure. These medications work effectively for cases that show minor acidity symptoms. However, you should always keep your quickest ally - Gas-O-Fast sachets – handy, for instant relief. You can try Gas-O-Fast’s Sachets that contain digestive enzymes and remove acidity from the root, giving you instant relief from acidity and heartburn. More so, for these medications to be successful in providing you acidity cure, one needs to make certain strict changes in lifestyle and habits. Some of these changes include:

• Eat smaller meals in small intervals
• Take a small, slow walk right after your meal
• Consume more green vegetables
• Include Probiotics in your diet
• Have warm lemon water on an empty stomach each morning
• Quit smoking
• Avoid drinking through straws
• Refrain from excessive alcohol
• Choose any form of physical exercise
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Get 8 hours of minimum sleep
• Wear loose clothes
• Avoid spicy food items
• Refrain from excessive salt intake
• Do not eat at least 2 hours before bedtime
• Avoid foods such as peppermint, chocolate, fatty items, etc.
• Minimize or avoid intake of citrus fruits, tomatoes, and pepper

Acidity is a highly uncomfortable situation and can be totally avoided if taken proper care and precautions. Gas-O-Fast wishes you be cautious to stay happy and healthy!