Hyper-acidity
Introduction
Hyperacidity (or simply "acidity") is one of the most common problem faced by people. It is often something that they neglect for a while as it is not exactly something that stops you from working or leading your normal life, atleast in the early stages. It however can cause other long term problems and like most problems is, best nipped in the bud.
What happens in "Acidity"
Hyper acidity is often linked with heartburn and they are both caused due to presence of too much acid in the stomach. You may know that all of us have a strong acid (Hydrochloric acid) which is essential to kill most harmful bacteria and help in digestion of typically proteins. The normal stomach lining is capable of handling that low pH (as low as 2!) without any fuss. However, when the system is unbalanced the acidity can increase and the lining of the stomach can weaken and that causes problems. Drugs such as aspirin, corticosteroids and many antibiotics can make this happen. And ofcourse alcohol, smoking and the wrong diet and spices in excess!
When the system is thus unbalanced, there may be a burning pain in the upper abdomen that the patient complains of. Regurgitation of some of this acid into the lower and upper gullet (food pipe or oesophagus) causes the typical irritation and inflammation of the throat causing heartburn.
What causes hyperacidity or aggravates it ?
Allopathy is now come to appreciate what Ayurveda knew for a couple of thousand years that many diseases are linked to personalities and individual predisposition. Some of us suffer from acidity with minor stress and a bit of excessive eating whilst there are others who can tolerate stress to nth degree and many more excesses before they succumb to the condition. "Genetic predisposition" is the modern terminology which is all about knowing the patient and his individual responses to various stimuli (or stressesn - chemical, physical or mental).
However, generally the following circumstances can create excessive acid in stomach causing acidity and heartburn.
Stressful life and lifestyle (like a broker working long hours under stress and eating too much fried food at irregular hours). Consumption of rich and spicy foods. Eating speedily, very fast devoid of proper chewing (again often a personality trait or a "learned Habit") Inappropriate sleep Alcohol, smoking Pregnancy- This is not just due to the pressure that the growing womb exerts on the stomach, but also the increase of acid secretion caused as a normal occurence in pregnancy. Also the oesophago-gastric sphincters are more relaxed causing heartburn more easily. Overweight people may bear because of unnecessary pressure on their digestive tract.
Your should seek expert medical advice if you experience the following:
1. Heartburn continues for several times a week.
2. Symptoms persist even after taking heartburn medications or returns again.
3. If you wake up at night due to heartburn repeatedly.
4. Black stools (indicating blood loss in the stomach or upper intestines).
5. Difficulty in swallowing (indicating ulcer related problems in gullet.
6. Weight loss.
7 Heart burn after exertion.
Home remedies
Tulsi leaves - Basil bonanza A good Home Remedy for Acidity is to chew up a few basil (Tulsi ) leaves to obtain relief from burning pain in stomach, nausea and gas.
Gud is good! Tulsi can be often combined with natural (un "purified") sugar -called Gur/Gud or Jaggery in various Indian languages. Suck on a small lump of jaggery (gur) till it disolves. Repeat it each hour till acidity subsides. Acidity treatment can never be more fun !
Cool fruits and veg Watermelon, banana or cucumber (around 150 gms every time) to be eaten happily each hour. Feel the cooling pulp and juices slide down your food pipe, taking on the acidity in a lasting manner.
Coconut water 4-5 a few times a day is also good against acidity.
Fresh mint juice also works wonders for acidity.
Clove is not just for toothaches but also for hyperacidity. That is refreshes your breath is an added extra!
Can i have the benefits of all the above, in a more "user friendly manner"
Sometimes one can get stressed simply by running around trying to get all the home remedies in one place. Dont worry, we have that for you in Laxsa liquid! Recurrent acidity can be relieved by LAXSA Liquid.
It regulates bowel movements prevent acid reflux and remove extra acid by mild laxative action.Cassia fistulae in it is itself herbal remedy for hyperacidity
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