Acidity

Description

Introduction

Acidity is a set of symptoms caused by excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach. Your stomach naturally produces gastric or hydrochloric acid (HCl) to help digest and break down food. Acidity issues arise when there is excess production of this acid due to triggers such as acidic foods, alcohol, dehydration and stress.

When acidity occurs, the excess acid may move up from your stomach to your oesophagus. The lining of your stomach with a pH of 1 to 3 is designed as such to withstand a high acidic environment. Your oesophagus on the other hand with a pH close to 7 is not, and you may experience symptoms such as a burning sensation in the chest when this pH drops below 4.

Causes

The main causes of Acidity are:

Consumption of beverages such as alcohol, coffee, tea and carbonated drinks.

Smoking.

Eating heavy meals close to bed time.

Highly spicy food.

Anti-inflammatory medicine and some of antibiotics.

Being Pregnant.

Stress and tension.

Symptoms:

Dry cough and sore throat

Bloody or black stools

Bloody vomiting

Nausea burning in stomach and chest

Weight loss

Severe pain in abdomen

Difficulty in breathing

Erosion of gum and teeth

Bad breath.