Acidity

Acidity is related to heartburn and gas formation in stomach. In acidity, acid reflux or gastroesopohageal reflux disease, or more commonly known as urdhva gata amalpitta in ayurveda, there is a movement of gastric juices (carrying acid) from the stomach into the lower esophagus (food pipe). This is a condition which is caused when acidic contents in stomach (hydrochloric acid) move upward into the esophagus and making it dysfunctional. Understanding the right treatment at right time and causes of any disease, like acidity or acid reflux, is very helpful for effective treatments. In ayurveda it is considerd to be caused by the aggarvation of pitta dosha that is responsible for burning sensation caused in the chest region.

1. Causes for Acidity
2. Diet for Acidity
3. Symptoms for Acidity
4. Treatment for Acidity

Causes for Acidity

Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acidity is caused by various factors:

• Stomach contains various enzymes and hydrochloric acids which help in food digestion. When there is a problem in the functioning of the digestive system, it results a disease called acidity.
  
• Foods which are rich in fats, such as chocolates cause acidity or acid reflux diseases.
  
• Excessive intake of alcohol, smoking, keeping stomach empty for long time, skipping breakfast causes acidity. (Counseling by professionals and friendly peer groups, who do not smoke can help you in quitting smoking.)
  
• Excessive intake of caffeine also leads to acidity.
  
• Other causes of acidity or heartburn are pregnancy, aging, obesity, and bad eating habit, like eating junk foods Acidity leads to burning sensation in stomach and chest area.

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Diet for Acidity

What to eat and how much to eat is an important factor in controlling acidity:

• Avoid eating fried, fatty, junk foods, and excessive chocolates.
  
• Avoid eating onions, citrus fruits, spicy foods, as they worsen the acid reflux or acidity disease.
  
• Eat carbohydrate rich food like rice, as they are easily digested and with no acid formation.
  
• Eat dinner two to three hours before sleeping time as it keeps you healthy.
  
• Eat small meals as it helps in digestion.
  
• Maintain adequate body weight it helps in acidity control
  
• Avoid eating protein-rich and calcium-rich foods like milk and diary products at night.
  
• Alcohol, caffeine should be a big no in your life for healthy living and acidity control.
  
  
  

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Symptoms for Acidity

Symptoms found in children are:

• Respiratory problems
• inadequate weight
• vomiting,
• coughing,
• turning down food

Symptoms found in adults are:

• Long heartburn, chest and stomach pain, gas formation in stomach, inflammation in chest, gastroesophageal reflux.
  
• Voice change and formation of ulcer in esophagus (tube connecting mouth and stomach), pain during muscular contractions, and pain in ears are some of the symptoms of acidity.
  
• Patient with hernia are at a risk of developing acid reflux or acidity.

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Treatment for Acidity

There are various home remedies and ayurvedic treatments for acidity control; it is good to go for such treatments as they are safe and effective. Avoid chemical/medicinal acidity treatments as it creates a bundle of other health problems.

Using ayurvedic medicines that can suppress acid formation under the recommendation of healthcare professionals is very effective in treating acidity.

Ayurvedic medicines like Kamdudha Rasa plain are effective in treating acidity. Avipattikar Churna can be taken with water before your daily meal. It is good for your bowel movement and is effective in heartburn treatment or acidity. Narikel lavan is also a good remedy to cure hyperacidity.

Home remedies that will help you in controlling acidity

• Regular practice of in taking one to two glass of water, in early morning is healthy habit and helpful in acidity control.
• Holy basil (tulsi) plays an important role in controlling acidity. Consuming few leaves of tulsi leaves anytime gives relief from acidity.
• Natural and effective dosages for acidity control are:

• Take one table spoon alma with one table spoon haritaki (chebulic myroblan)
• Take two tablespoon honey with two tablespoon natural cidar vinegar before meal

The above mentioned dosages are effective for acidity treatment.

• Amla is a natural and effective herb that helps in curing many diseases like diabetes, indigestion, heartburn. It is also helpful in heart, respiratory, and eyes disorder. Alma capsules are very effective for acidity treatment. Amla can also be taken with warm milk, pulses or vegetables.
• Keeping terminalia chebula (haritaki) in mouth after your regular meal gives relief from acidity.
• Mint juice or mint capsules containing peppermint oil are also a good herbal remedy for treating acidity. It is recommended to be taken after meal, it reduces gas formation.
• Fruits that will help you in getting relief from acidity are cucumber, watermelon, papaya, and banana.
• Intake cold milk, coconut water, almonds or raw garlic, all these give you relief from acidity and heartburn.
• Intake jaggery (gur) on hourly basis will give you relief from acidity.
• Half glass butter milk with one table spoon of coriander juice is effective in case of stomach burns, indigestion, and acidity.

Exercise helps in controlling acidity

Depression, anxiety worsens the acidity disease so try to live a stress-free life for healthy and happy living.

Morning and evening walk are good for your health and keeps the acidity disease under control. Yogic exercises and meditation keeps your overall internal system (like digestive system, nervous system) and external system in good condition.

Little changes in life style keep you healthy and happy

Sleeping in right posture and right elevation help in acidity control, like keeping head on a high pillow up to seven inches.

Try to avoid chemically prepared medicines, though they suppress the acid formation in stomach but badly affect the digestive system and has many side effects. In acute cases, right diagnosis at right time helps in treatment so consult your physician for proper medication and treatments. Simple and easy life style can keep you healthy and happy. Health is wealth, so live a balance and stress-free life. Every disease has its cure so don’t get panic and stay happy.

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