Description

Acidity, also called acid reflux, is a condition that is characterised by heartburn that is felt around the lower chest area. It is a common condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe. The most common acid reflux symptom is a burning sensation in the chest, and pain.

Acidity is caused due to excess production of acid in the stomach by the gastric glands. Factors that cause acidity include unhealthy eating habits (skipping meals, over-eating, diets low in dietary fibres), excessive consumption of certain kinds of foods (junk foods, spicy foods, drinks such as tea, coffee, carbonated beverages), side-effects of drugs and other factors like frequent smoking or alcohol intake, lack of sleep and stress.

When acidity symptoms occur more than twice a week, you may be suffering from Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Chronic acidity may lead to serious risks that include oesophagial damage, oesophagial cancer and wear down of enamel of teeth which leads to cavities.

The common allopathic medicines used for acidity, which comprises of antacids, histamine-2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors, suffer from side-effects like headache, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, abdominal pain, stomach upset.