If you are one among those who suffer from persistent acidity and heartburn, then you must be quite anxious to know how to treat acidity, heartburn. Both acidity and heartburn are common digestive disorders, affecting people of all age groups. Acidity typically occurs when the glands of the stomach produce more acids to break down the food. Stomach acidity can cause many annoying and irritating symptoms like chest pain, nausea, belching, a sour taste in the mouth, upper abdominal pain, dryness in the throat, hungry pangs, flatulence, and dyspepsia or bad digestion.
Stomach acidity often causes a burning sensation or pain in the chest, behind the sternum. This condition is medically known as heartburn. Some people may also experience acid reflux, a digestive disease characterized by the regurgitation or backflow of gastric acids into the esophagus. If not treated properly, acid reflux may lead to a serious digestive condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Moreover, increased acidity can result in the erosion of stomach lining and the subsequent formation of stomach ulcers.
Causes of Stomach Acidity, Heartburn: Knowing the reasons that cause stomach acidity may help you get an idea of how to treat acidity, heartburn. In most people, acidity is caused by eating spicy, fatty, or junk foods, drinking too much amounts of coffee, overeating, skipping meals, or rapid eating. Excessive acid secretion can also be due to an underlying medical condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, gallstones, hypercalcemia, or helicobacter pylori infection. Other factors that can contribute to overproduction of gastric acids include stress, anxiety, lack of exercise, smoking, taking some types of medications,, and excessive drinking of alcohol. Citrus fruits like lemon, grapefruits, tomatoes, and orange may also cause heartburn in some people.
How To Treat Acidity, Heartburn: Nowadays, many over-the-counter medications are available to alleviate stomach acidity and get relief from heartburn. Antacids can counterbalance stomach acids and provide instant release from acidity symptom. Proton pump inhibitors minimize the production of stomach acids and are used to treat heartburn and acid reflux. H2 Receptor blockers are another group of medications that can reduce stomach acid secretion. They are found to be effective in treating heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
However, in majority of the cases, acidity and heartburn can be treated without taking any medications. Identify the factors that cause you acidity and try to avoid them. Cut down the intake of foods that increase the production of stomach acids and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Another thing you should do is to split your daily meals into smaller more frequent meals. Eat slowly and chew well. Do some relaxation techniques to reduce your stress. Also, exercise regularly.
There are certain very effective natural remedies that can help you get quick relief from stomach acidity. Drinking chamomile tea or peppermint tea is a good way to ease acidity and heartburn. Add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey to eight ounces of water and drink this mixture twice daily. Ginger is also a good home remedy for acidity and heartburn.
Read about Herbal Treatment for Acidity. Also know Herbal Treatment for Acne.
