ACIDITY – 1

Causes in the Stomach

Stomach acidity can be linked to a number of causes. Although it may in some cases be indicative of a larger problem and require medical attention, sensations of acidity in the stomach can very often be remedied or avoided through simple nutritional maintenance or other over-the-counter remedies.

Symptoms

Stomach acid is a very natural, important part of the digestion process.
It is a necessary component in breaking down food into particles small enough to benefit the body.
Problems occur, however, when the stomach produces too much acid.
This overproduction of stomach acid, called hyperacidity, results in a burning sensation throughout the gastrointestinal area, and sometimes extending toward the chest (heartburn.)
Lying down while suffering from hyperacidity can result in acid regurgitation, in which the acidic sensation travels into the mouth, leaving behind a sour and unpleasant taste.

Medical Causes

There are some diseases and syndromes for which stomach acidity is a symptom. These include gallstones, or hard deposits in the gallbladder that must be removed in order for the gallbladder to perform its stabilizing functions.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is chronic and can cause heartburn.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is when the gastrin hormone is hyperactive and hypercalcimia, or too much calcium in the body, can also be indicative of a number of serious health problems.
All of these are causes of gastrointestinal hyperacidity, which will likely require medical attention.

Prevention/Solution

Common prescription medications given for the treatment of the medical problems listed include
Ranitidine (commonly Zantac, used for treating GERD and Zollinger-Ellison symdrome),
Lansoprazole (used for treating discomfort in the esophagus) and
Omeprazole (commonly Prilosec, used for treating multiple gastrointestinal discomforts).

Dietary Causes

Gastrointestinal hyperacidity can also have much simpler, more treatable causes, however.
Fatty foods, for instance, are difficult to digest and therefore require the stomach to produce more acid than it would for a leaner meal.
Ingesting alcohol, which is itself acidic, naturally raises the levels of acidic liquids in the stomach thereby causing an acidic sensation for some.
This is particularly true of beer, which can increase your stomach acid by 100 percent in an hour. A 2006 study done by researchers at Stanford University and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests, finally, that hyperacidity is more contingent on how much is eaten than on which foods are ingested. It would seem that a larger meal of anything at all is more likely to cause hyperacidity than small amounts of anything specific.

Prevention/Solution

Although acidity in the stomach can be caused by diseases that require medical attention, hyperacidity caused by diet can easily be prevented or alleviated.

The most intuitive prevention method involves staying away from fatty foods and alcohol, both of which generate a larger production of stomach acid.

According to Stanford University, simply eating smaller, more frequent meals in a day and remaining in an upright position for up to 45 minutes after eating will help.

Also, keeping the head elevated while sleeping will resolve any problems with acid regurgitation.