On experiencing acidity, nausea, or a burning sensation in your stomach, this is what you must do

Acidity refers to the excessive production of acid in the stomach, which can cause discomfort and pain. It is a common condition that affects many people.

By: Lifestyle Desk
New Delhi | March 28, 2023 01:20 PM IST

Acidity can be prevented by making certain lifestyle changes. (Pic source: Freepik)

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Do you experience a burning sensation in your chest, usually after eating a hearty meal, which tends to worsen at night or while lying down? Well, you may be suffering from acidity, which is a by-product of an unhealthy lifestyle. According to Medical News Today, “acid reflux causes heartburn, a burning sensation that happens when some of the acid content of the stomach flows up into the esophagus. Frequent acid reflux may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease.”

While experiencing acidity after a heavy, oil-rich meal is quite common, if experienced regularly, it can be a cause of great inconvenience and should be evaluated by an expert. But, why not nip it in the bud by making certain lifestyle tweaks, as suggested by Dr Siddhant Bhargava, a nutritionist. They are:

1. Avoid sleeping or lying down right after your meal.
2. Stop overeating.
3. Be mindful of foods that are hard to digest, and are high in protein or fat — they might trigger acidity. Food-delayed gastric time could cause acidity.
4. Say no to smoking and aerated drinks.

What is acidity?

Acidity refers to the excessive production of acid in the stomach, which can cause discomfort and pain. Dr Rahul Dubbaka, consultant – gastroenterology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, tells indianexpress.com, “acidity is caused by various factors such as eating spicy and oily foods, consuming alcohol and caffeine, smoking, stress, and certain medications. These factors can cause the stomach to produce an excess amount of acid, leading to acidity. H pylori bacteria, which can be transmitted by food or water, is also an important cause for hyperacidity”.

Lifestyle changes to prevent acidity

Acidity can be prevented by making certain lifestyle changes like avoiding spicy and oily foods, not eating at unhygienic places, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake, quitting smoking, eating small and frequent meals, and managing stress through relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation. “Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active help a lot,” shares Dr Dubbaka, adding that those who experience frequent or severe acidity, “must medical attention”.

ALSO READ | From munakka to gulkand: Say goodbye to acidity with these natural remedies

Medication for acidity

Sharing that some people may be more susceptible to acidity, Dr Dhiraj Bhattad, Consultant-Internal Medicine at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital tells indianexpress.com, “Proton pump inhibitors or h2 blockers can be used for acidity; these medicines are very safe and help bring relief. But, if acidity is frequent, it is sometimes be related to a bacteria called H Pylori, which very commonly produces more acid. In such cases, an endoscopy or sometimes blood or stool tests can help find out whether these bacterias are there, and accordingly, acidic medicines can be prescribed”.

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