Acidity or acid efflux refers to a sharp pain and burning sensation in the center of a person s chest. Often referred to as heartburn, this disorder affects millions of people across the world. Even though suffering from acidity once in a while is more or less normal, a frequent case of acid reflux may be indicative of a more severe underlying condition.

Here is a look at some of the common reasons behind your recurring acidity.

Lying down after a meal: A meal requires a bit of time to get digested. Before digestion, the acid is contained in the stomach using the diaphragm. However, if you lie down right after having a meal, the diaphragm may or the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) may open up, causing the stomach acid to spill into the chest. This can alleviate acidity symptoms. Similarly, a particularly heavy meal can also cause acidity.
Obesity: People who are overweight or obese have a greater risk of suffering from acidity compared to those who maintain an ideal body weight. So, start exercising and losing the extra pounds if you have been suffering from acid reflux for quite a while now.
Certain foods: Citrus fruits and vegetables contain citric acid, which help in increasing the overall acidic level in the stomach. Other foods, which should be avoided and can be a cause for acidity include chocolates, garlic, mint, onions, oily and fatty foods. You do not have to stop having these foods completely, but you should try to avoid them as much as possible.
Certain beverages: Alcohol consumption can often lead to acidity. It is best to avoid regular alcohol consumption and even if you choose to have a peg or two, make sure it is only for a limited period of time. Regular or excessive consumption of other artificially sweetened drinks, carbonated drinks and even tea or coffee, can also lead to acid reflux syndrome. If you partake any of these drinks, try to reduce the amount and ingest as little as possible.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women undergo a plethora of changes in their bodies. Some are visible from the exterior, while the others happen inside the body. A range of hormonal changes occur at this point in time which can cause certain problems in the body. One of the major hormones linked to acid reflux during pregnancy is progesterone. This hormone is vital for the proper growth and development of the fetus, but the hormone also slows down the rate of digestion. 

5 Sure Shot Reasons Behind That Acidity 

The quote 'Good day starts with coffee' suits a lot of people who love nothing more than a cup of coffee every morning. However, your morning tryst with a cup of coffee might not be a very healthy habit. Believe it or not, addiction to caffeine (in the form of coffee) is as harmful as addiction to any other drug. In fact, caffeine is a legal drug that slowly and gradually damages your gastrointestinal tract. Here are the negative effects of coffee on your digestive system:

Increases Acidity: Coffee is known to contain different kinds of oils, acids and caffeine. These compounds have an adverse impact on the digestive system. The stomach and intestinal linings get damaged due to the over-consumption of these compounds in the form of coffee. Moreover, as you take coffee, your stomach produces more hydrochloric acid for digestion. This causes acidity and hampers the HCL levels altogether. When we take coffee regularly for years in empty stomach, our body's capacity of producing proper amounts of HCL gets hampered. Often, HCL production gets reduced as well. This leads to indigestion of other food items and effects flatulence and produces unwanted gases due to the improper breaking of proteins and fats by the body.
Ulcers and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Doctors believe that coffee acts as an irritant for patients of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), gastritis, Crohn's disease, colitis and ulcers. Coffee is responsible for the irritation of the lining of stomach and intestine. It is also noticed that certain enzymes present in the coffee beans are also harmful to the gastrointestinal tract.
Heartburn: Coffee is responsible for relaxing the esophageal sphincter muscle. The relaxation of this muscle hinders the process of digestion and causes acid-reflux, resulting in heartburn. It is known to have compounds that have diuretic, laxative and mineral blocking effects on the body.
Laxative Effects: Coffee stimulates the process of peristalsis or movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract. The peristalsis starts immediately after food is swallowed by the individual. The intake of coffee catalyzes peristalsis and consequently leads to emptying of the stomach even before the food is digested properly. The semi-digested food is sent to the intestine too early, causing injury to the intestine and hampering the absorption of nutrients.
Affects absorption of minerals: Caffeine reduces the ability of the stomach to absorb iron and also hinders the absorption of minerals like calcium, zinc and magnesium by the kidney. All these minerals help in digestion at different points and regulate the bowel movement.
Coffee is known to have benefits like reduction of constipation and sugar absorption. But, it also interferes with the smooth functioning of the digestive system. It has a tendency to increase stomach aches, disturb the fluid balance and the overall process of digestion.

Coffee and Your Digestion

If you are experiencing heartburn during pregnancy, it is important for you to know about the ways of dealing with it. Heartburn, which is a fiery, painful sensation, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) starts leaking or relaxing. This makes your stomach acids to flow up into the esophagus, resulting in acidity or heartburn. Pregnant women are more susceptible to heartburns because the relaxing hormone slows down the rate of digestion, thereby keeping food in the stomach for longer duration and triggering acidity.

Here are the various measures you should take for dealing with acidity during pregnancy:

Follow regular eating patterns: Overeating triggers heart burns, and hence, you should eat less. During pregnancy, there is much less space in the stomach for it to expand. Maintaining a healthy diet in lesser quantities will help you in eliminating the heartburn throughout your pregnancy. You should eat several small meals a day instead of having two or three large meals. It is easier for your body to digest smaller meals.
Avoid trigger foods: You need to identify the common foods, which trigger your heartburn, and eliminate them from your diet. You should abstain from consuming acidic food items like tomatoes, citrus fruits, fried and spicy food, coffee, carbonated drinks, and alcohol.
Focus on fluids: A liquid diet causes much lesser problems compared to solid food products as they can move through your stomach quickly. You should consume milkshakes, soups, yoghurt, smoothies, puddings, and protein shakes. Try to take liquids, which are rich in protein like dairy products. While having solid foods, ensure that you chew them very well.
Sleep properly: In order to avoid heartburn during the night, you must not eat anything three hours before going to sleep. You should make the head of your bed elevated by placing books or any solid object under the bed s legs. You should sleep on your left side, which will make it difficult for stomach acids to travel up to your esophagus.
Sit or stand up right after a meal: After taking any meal, you should take a short walk, undertake some housework, or sit down for a while. Avoid lying down, and abstain from doing anything for which you have to bend over.
Wear comfortable clothes: You should wear loose-fitting clothes for dealing with acidity or heartburn during pregnancy. Tight clothing puts extra pressure on your abdomen, which is already crammed. This is capable of worsening acid reflux. Therefore, you should choose loose fitting maternity wear for eliminating acidity and heartburn.


Acidity During Pregnancy - How It Can Be Dealt With?

Ayurvedic treatment for Hyperacidity

Acidity gives you tremendous discomfort. The stomach condition wherein acid levels of the gastric juices are much more than normal is known as hyperacidity. It causes uneasiness alongside symptoms like loss of appetite, heartburn, unexpected stomach pain, etc. According to Ayurveda, the main cause of this condition is the worsening of the Pitta Dosha (the fire element) in your body.

The reasons that worsen this dosha are:

- Having foods that don't match your constitution or which aren't supposed to be had like milk and salt or milk and fish
- Extremely spicy and sour beverages and foods
- White flour products
- Products made from white sugar
- Smoking
- Excessive intake of coffee and tea
- Alcohol
- Having food even though you may be suffering from indigestion
- Controlling the urge to urinate or pass stool
- Prolonged exposure to heat and the sun

What happens to your digestive power?

The exacerbated Pitta worsens your digestive fire, causing your food to be not properly digested as well as influence the production of ama (toxins). When ama builds up in your various digestive channels, it brings about the problem of hyperacidity. The treatment focuses on calming down the irritated Pitta Dosha. For this, certain herbs are used to get rid of the toxins that block these channels. This automatically improves your digestive fire, bringing about better digestion.

What changes you're required to make?

To keep this problem at bay, there are certain lifestyle changes that you may have to make such as

- To curb the consumption of acidic foods like garlic, onions, ginger, vinegar, and tomatoes
- Avoid having curd/yogurt at night
- Practice yoga and Pranayam like Bhujangasana, Vajrasana, Shitkari Pranayam and so on
- Avoid fermented as well as processed foods
- Avoid coffee, tea, alcoholic or carbonated beverages

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15 Best Ayurvedic Remedies to Cure Hyperacidity | Acid Reflux

Digestion is an important process that helps in converting food to energy. It begins at the mouth and the stomach is where the detailed process begins. The stomach produces acids to digest the food. But when food is not consumed at the right time or if it is too spicy, it can lead to acid reflux. Acid reflux may result because of individual habits too such as excessive smoking and alcohol consumption. In this condition. the valve that controls the release of acids does not close properly. This causes the acid to move up and cause pain in the upper abdominal region. Acid reflux or hyperacidity initially starts with a burning sensation and gradually manifests itself as severe pain that is intolerable. Ayurveda, the ancient medical science of India, suggests a number of efficient solutions for this condition.

Triphala: This is a combination of three ingredients   the Indian gooseberry, ink nut, and beleric   in equal proportion. These three ingredients ensure a balance of the three doshas   pitta, vatta, and kapha. Ayurveda says that any imbalance in three doshas can cause diseases and disorders in the body. Therefore, consuming triphala in the form of powder or pills every day helps balance the three doshas. You can take half to one teaspoon on to triphala with warm water on an empty stomach in the morning and as you go to bed at night.

Indian gooseberry: This is an Indian fruit that is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in reducing pitta, which is fiery in nature as per Ayurveda and is characterized by an excessive heat. Elevated pitta is responsible for acid reflux. Taking gooseberry is easy, as it can be eaten raw or taken in the form of juice. It can also be included in a few recipes.

Other remedies: Lots of other home remedies come handy in alleviating pain related to hyperacidity. One of them is Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera juice soothes the pain and cools down the system. Additionally, buttermilk offers an instant remedy to ensure that the pain and burning sensation are relieved.

Restrictions that Ayurveda suggests: It is not only what you consume to treat the disease that matters. A few foods should be avoided to ensure complete cure. While people know that spicy foods should be kept at bay, tea, coffee, vinegar, tamarind and other sour foods should be avoided as well. Peanuts are very acidic and can trigger acid reflux.

Lifestyle changes recommended by Ayurveda: Quitting smoking and stopping consumption of alcohol is what all streams of medicine recommend. Ayurveda also advises people to follow early to bed and early to rise principle. This ensures that the body performs all its duties within hours of its optimum functioning. Lying down after a meal is not advised. Also, wearing tight clothes should be avoided. Foods that are oily and fatty should be avoided. Eating freshly-prepared food items is considered good as per Ayurveda.

Stay relaxed: Hyper acidity may also result because of stress and tension. The best way to combat stress is to stay cool and calm. Practicing yoga can help relieve hyperacidity and also alleviate pain caused by it. 

Pranayama, peacock pose, and shoulder pose are recommended to combat hyperacidity. As per Ayurveda, sticking to healthy eating habits is the one-stop solution for several ailments and hyperacidity is no different. Sleeping for at least 7 to 8 hours in a silent and soothing environment is also advised by this system of ancient medicine to lead a happy and healthy life. 

Hyperacidity - How Ayurveda Can Help? 

When there is excessive acid build-up in your body, you experience a burning sensation in your chest. This condition is called acidity.  


You feel a burning sensation in your chest, your mouth tastes sour and your throat may feel sore during bouts of acidity.  An antacid can give you quick relief, but sometimes, you might feel like it isn t working very well for you. Ayurveda may help you in this case.
Ayurveda is safe, and it provides a natural way to heal acidity.


Here are some Ayurvedic remedies for acidity:
1. Bananas: The potassium in bananas is an excellent antidote to acidity. Eating a ripe banana can provide you relief from the discomforting symptoms of acidity.


2. Milk: The calcium in milk bars acid build-up and absorbs the extra acid produced. For best results, drink cold milk to ease your discomfort.


3. Mint leaves: Mint reduces acid production and cools the burning sensation in your stomach. Chop and boil some mint leaves; then drink the cooled solution for relief.


4. Tulsi: Tulsi boosts mucus production in the stomach and has antiulcer properties. To ease your discomfort, chew on 5-6 tulsi leaves.


5. Cardamom: Elaichi, or cardamom, is a multi-purpose remedy. It stimulates digestion, reduces stomach spasms, soothes the stomach lining and prevents excessive acid production. Just crush two pods of elaichi in boiling water and drink it for quick results.


6.  Cloves: Cloves boost saliva production, which helps in digestion and reducing the symptoms of acidity. For relieving acidity, just bite a piece of clove and keep it in your mouth. The oils released from the clove will reduce acidity within no time.


7. Aniseed: Aniseed cools the stomach lining, which reduces the burning sensation. Simply chewing a few aniseeds or saunf seeds, can bring about instant relief.


8. Cumin: Cumin stimulates saliva production, which aids in improving digestion and metabolism. You can eat cumin seeds, or boil them in water and then drink the solution for relief.


9. Ginger: Ginger improves digestion and helps absorb and assimilate essential nutrients better. It also protects your stomach from ulcers by boosting mucus secretion, which reduces the damage to the stomach lining caused by acid.


10. Amla: Also called the Indian gooseberry, amla has high amounts of vitamin C in it, which helps in healing the agitated lining of the stomach and oesophagus. You can consume one teaspoon of gooseberry powder to prevent acidity.

Acidity - 10 Ayurvedic Remedies Can Help You Treat it

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