What is acidity?

The human stomach contains gastric glands that are responsible for the proper digestion of food in it. The gastric glands accomplish digestion by secreting various acids, the chief of which is hydrochloric acid. These acids are aided by various enzymes in the stomach to achieve digestion. The level of acids in the human stomach is usually controlled; but for some reason if the level of acids increases beyond the

normal levels, then the condition is known as heartburn.

Thus, heartburn is the condition where there is excess acid secretion in the stomach. Other names for heartburn are hyperacidity or acid dyspepsia.

Why does heartburn occur?

The stomach is equipped with these acids in order to digest food. Acids are released when food enters the stomach. However, some foods are more difficult to digest than others. For such foods, the stomach needs to secrete more acids. Continuous secrets of such acids could lead to heartburn.

This excessive production of acids could be greater due to several factors. Stomach ulcers are one of the most common causes of increased acid production.

People with stomach cancer will also have heartburn problems as one of the symptoms. For this reason, heartburn should not be ignored if it lasts a long time or if the person is older.

There is a condition known as acid reflux complex, where stomach acids back up into the food pipe. When this happens, a prominent sour taste is felt in the mouth and a burp may occur.

What are the symptoms of heartburn?

When a person has heartburn, there can be a big difference in the types of symptoms seen. For some people it can be a simple stomach ache, but for others it can lead to days of restlessness with continuous stomach cramps.

In fact, restlessness is the most common symptom of heartburn, followed by nausea and vomiting. A sour taste is felt in the mouth, which is due to excessive deposition of acids. Sometimes there are sour burps and passing gas. Other digestive problems such as constipation and indigestion will also occur. In some cases, tightness is felt in the stomach.

How can heartburn be avoided?

A proper dietary pattern is the best to avoid heartburn. The following tips should be followed:-

  • Avoid foods rich in oils and fats. These foods are hard to digest, so they can cause your stomach to release more acid.

  • The diet should contain a proper mix of all tastes. Spicy foods should be just one dish rather than the entire meal.

  • Fibers are necessary in the diet as they aid in digestion.

  • Red meat should be eaten only occasionally, if at all.

  • After a meal, the body should be given some kind of exercise. This could be as simple as taking a walk.

  • Too much addiction to strong foods like tea and coffee can cause heartburn. This is also true for other addictions such as smoking and alcohol.

  • Do not eat acidic foods as they already have acidic content. Acidic foods to avoid are pickles, curd, tamarind, vinegar, etc.

    • How can you control heartburn with simple home remedies?

    There are several simple household tips to keep heartburn under control. The following are some of them:-

  • Eat two ripe bananas early in the morning and wash them down with a glass of milk.

  • Taking two tablespoons of Isabgol (psyllium seed husks) in milk after each meal is beneficial in eliminating heartburn.

  • Squeeze the juice from a whole orange and mix it with roasted cumin seeds. Add some rock salt for flavor. This solution provides immediate relief from heartburn.

  • Eat equal portions of ginger and coriander. This pacifies the digestive fire.

  • Mix equal amounts of ginger extract and peppermint extract. Having this two to four times a day provides relief.

  • Alternatively, ginger extract can be mixed with the same amount of honey. This should be put on the tongue every sunrise and sunset.

  • Two teaspoons of amla (Indian gooseberry) powder twice a day are also helpful.

  • If heartburn continues for a long time, try following a dairy diet. Milk may initially be troublesome to the digestive system, but the indigestible curd it would form in the body would usually be vomited out.

  • Mixing two teaspoons of ghee in a glass of milk and drinking it once a day acts as a laxative, which would remove excess toxins from the body.

  • Coconut water is good for reducing acidity in the stomach.

  • If you use rice, make sure it is at least two years old. Wheat flour can also be beneficially used to reduce acidity.