Acidity or Acid reflux is not a disease but a symptom of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. They may be used interchangeably but they are not the same thing.
Acidity is generally considered harmless if happening occasionally but frequent episodes may require your attention. GERD is a more progressed version of Acid reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common health issue in which food from the stomach flows upward into the esophagus. Reflux becomes a disease after repeated or constant harm to the esophagus. Reflux can harm the food pipe, throat, and lungs.
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is one the most common diseases among esophageal disorders. The lifestyle behaviors that seem very normal to us might be the reason behind the increase in cases of acidity. Let’s discuss the hidden reasons for Acidity.
Risk Factors of Acid reflux:
- Obesity
- Alcohol consumption in high/ moderate amount
- Smoking
- Exercising after meals
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle
- Consumption of fatty fried food
- Excessive tea consumption
Some factors may not cause the acidity problem however they can exaggerate the situation such as heavy meals and eating dinner late, carbonated drinks, and some medicines for example aspirin, etc.
Causes of Acidity/ Acid reflux:
Acid reflux results from recurring acid return or regurgitation of nonacidic food in your stomach.
As you swallow, your lower esophageal sphincter (a circular ring of muscle across the bottom of your esophagus) opens, and food and drink enter your stomach. Then the valve closes again.
If this muscle fails to relax properly or weakens, stomach contents may run back into your esophagus. This repeated backwash of acid irritates your esophageal lining, making it swollen.
Symptoms of Acidity:
The primary symptom of GERD is heartburn, which is commonly described as a burning sensation in one’s chest and the regurgitation of sour or bitter liquid into the throat or mouth. Heartburn and regurgitation are such prevalent GERD symptoms that formal testing may be unnecessary.
- Non-burning pain in the chest that usually originates in the middle of the chest and spreads to the back.
- Dysphagia (Difficulty in Swallowing)
Complications of Acid reflux:
Esophageal Damage: When the acid runs back up, it flows into the esophagus, the pathway that joins your mouth and stomach. This may lay the stage for:
- Esophagitis: It is the swelling caused by the frequent regurgitation of stomach content into the esophagus and irritates it.
- Esophageal ulcer: If the constant process of irritation does not stop that can even lead to ulceration of the esophageal wall. Painful swallowing is a top symptom of esophageal ulcer.
- Esophageal Stricture: Further damage in the esophagus’s inner wall may lead to scar tissue forming in the esophagus that can narrow down the passage for food.
- Barret’s Esophagus: It happens after constant exposure to stomach content i.e. acidic. The cells of the lower part of the esophagus change from normal to precancerous stage. It happens in only approx. 5 to 10% of cases of GERD and less than 1% of the people get cancerous changes.
Some persons with Acidity experience mouth, throat, or lung difficulties. These issues could include:
- Asthma
- Persistent cough
- Larynx irritation
- Loss of dental enamel
Changes in Lifestyle to Manage Acidity
Lifestyle management is an important key to resolving acidity issues in general. These are some of the changes you can make in your daily routine.
- Do not lie down for a minimum of two hours after consuming food or after drinking something acidic such as soda or caffeine-containing beverages. This can help keep stomach contents from spilling back into the esophageal tube.
- Keep your head raised as you sleep. Using an additional pillow or two may also help to prevent reflux.
- Eat smaller, more regular meals throughout the day rather than a few substantial meals. This improves digestion and can help prevent heartburn.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to relieve strain on the stomach, which can exacerbate heartburn and reflux.
- Quit smoking. Smoking can increase stomach acid production and impair the lower esophageal sphincter’s function, preventing acid and other stomach contents from entering the esophagus.
Top Homoeopathic Medicines for Acidity
Antacids are the standard treatment for GERD, and they operate by adjusting the pH of the stomach’s fluid to make it more alkaline. This reduces the irritation caused by acid to the stomach, esophagus, and duodenum.
Homoeopathy, on the contrary, acts gently to alleviate GERD symptoms while addressing the underlying source of the disease. Homoeopathy can be of considerable assistance to those who do not demonstrate significant improvement despite lifestyle improvements. The leading medications used to treat GERD are:
- Omeo Acidity Tablet: This homeopathic combination works wonderfully in cases of acidity. It acts as a Homeopathic Antacid and relieves sour eructation, heartburn, and heaviness of the stomach.
- Robinia: This is a great remedy that works for hyperchlorhydria. The acidity in robinia is associated with frontal headache. Some key symptoms of Robinia are night-burning pains in the stomach and constipation with intense urge.
- Natrumphosphoricum: Natrumphosphoricum is used to treat diseases caused by an excess of lactic acid, which is frequently caused by an excessive amount of sugar consumption. Ailments with high acidity. Belching with Sour regurgitation and a sour taste in the mouth. It also works on the Sour vomit.
- Iris versicolor: There is significant indigestion, and food is vomited after about an hour of eating. Iris Versicolor is also an effective treatment for acidity-related headaches.
- Arsenic album: Arsenic Album is a remedy for GERD that causes a burning sensation in the throat. The burning worsens after eating. Swallowing is tough and uncomfortable. Other symptoms include acid reflux, water brash, heartburn, severe nausea, and weakness. Arsenic Album is also a well-known medication for inflammation of the esophagus.
- Carbovegetabilis: It is beneficial for bloating and heartburn. Other symptoms include a sour, foul burp that worsens with drinking or eating, a burning sensation in the throat, and difficulty swallowing. Even the simplest foods can cause the illness.
- Nux vomica: It is among the most effective medications for a gastrointestinal cough that worsens at night and inhibits sleep. Vomiting is generally caused by coughing. The throat is sore and raw, and swallowing might be painful. Burning in the neck occurs, particularly at night. Food regurgitation occurs along with heartburn and sour belching.
- Sulphuric acid: It is indicated in cases of heartburn, and acid reflux with sour belching. The sour vomiting happens after eating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How can I reduce Acidity?
Ans. Acute acidity episodes can be managed by using Homeopathic medicines online such as Omeo acidity tablet and if you experience acidity very frequently, consult your homoeopathic physician.
Q. What are Acidity symptoms?
Ans. Some common symptoms of acidity include Heartburn, sour eructations, burning in the esophagus, and food regurgitation.
Q. Is hot water good for Acidity?
Ans. Warm or hot water may not be a good idea when experiencing acidity. It can irritate your esophagus and even aggravate the complaints.
Q. What is the main cause of Acidity?
Ans. A variety of reasons can cause Acidity. I have mentioned the risk factors of acidity briefly in the above blog. Some major causes are having heavy meals late in the evening, caffeinated beverages, soda, fatty-fried food, etc.