Acidic Stomach

An acidic stomach, also known as the acid reflux disease, is a condition that is caused due to the excess secretion of acids that are required to digest certain foods. Unknown to many, even stress triggers this condition. This is because stress manifests itself in the body, and leads to an imbalance in the physical aspects of the body, and one of its results is an acidic stomach. There are several symptoms of this condition, as there are several prevention and treatment methods.

Symptoms

Many of you may already be familiar with these symptoms, that will help you identify whether you have an acidic stomach.

• One of the most common symptoms that many people will identify with is heartburn. Acidity will immediately cause one to experience heartburn, characterized by burning and slight pain in the chest. This heartburn not only affects the esophagus, but also the throat, where you may feel discomfort.
• The burning sensation also occurs at the core of the problem, that is the stomach. One may experience so strong a burning sensation that it may feel like the 'stomach is on fire'. This sensation may also lead to severe abdominal pain.
• A person who has an acidic stomach may experience a stomach upset, which may cause gas, bloating, cramps, and sour burps.
• The sour burps can also manifest into the presence of a sour taste in the mouth, that can be quite unsettling. This is because the acid from the stomach, which is in excess, is trying to make its way up the esophagus. This feeling may also extend into a feeling of nausea.
• All the above-mentioned symptoms may lead to nausea, where one may or may not vomit, depending on its intensity. The nausea is accompanied by a loss of appetite.

Once these symptoms have been identified, the following prevention and treatment methods will help you bring this problem under control.

Treatment

Try out any of these treatments to cure yourself of an acidic stomach.

• There are certain foods to avoid when you experience acidity. Identifying these foods and reducing or eliminating their intake will help control this problem. This includes deep-fried foods, foods rich in fats and sugars, foods with acids in them such as citrus fruits, and yogurt. Also, several people experience an acidic stomach due to the intake of caffeine. Thus, the intake of products rich in caffeine, such as tea, coffee, chocolate and sodas should be reduced. Following a simple diet will make a huge difference to the burning sensations, and other symptoms experienced due to this problem. Alcohol, particularly beer, is another culprit that causes this problem, and should be avoided.
  Note: Different foods have a different effect on every body. These are foods that have generally been found to have a negative effect on an acidic stomach. You may be able to identify foods that cause this problem by being on the lookout for this condition after their intake. These foods may vary from person to person.
• To prevent this condition, reduce the long gap between each meal, by having frequent smaller meals. This helps the stomach to maintain the levels of acids produced in the process of digestion. Include foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates, as these control the excess acids by absorbing them. However, do not overeat, as this again may cause an acidic stomach and reverse the effect of the several heartburn cures you may have adhered to.
• Do not lie down, sleep immediately after a meal. For the digestion process to be carried out properly, some time is required. Ensure that you take a short walk after every meal, even if it is at home, and wait for at least an hour before you lie down. Try also not to slump on the sofa, as this is as bad as lying down after a meal.
• Many people assume, or have been told, that drinking cold milk solves the problem of a burning stomach. However, this does not hold true, as when milk enters the stomach, the secretion of stomach acids increases, and causes an acidic stomach. It may be a temporary solution but does more harm than good in the long run. The idea is to have a light dinner, so as to avoid this problem at night, and avoid late night snacks at all costs.
• Sleep at an incline, that is, prop yourself up on a couple of pillows so that your chest is elevated, above your stomach. This will prevent the heartburn that is caused due to this condition.
• Drink a glass of water with 1 tsp baking soda mixed in it, in order to treat this condition. It is a neutral substance that controls the acids in the stomach, and works as well as an antacid. You may also use commercial antacids to combat this problem, however, do not consume them in excess, as these will cause the stomach acids to deplete over time, resulting in similar problems.
• Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, that help the enzymes in the stomach to digest tough foods. This means, that the secretion of acid will be lesser, and the problem of an acidic stomach can be controlled by incorporating this nutrient in your meals.
• Other natural treatments for this condition include drinking coconut water, chewing fennel seeds, and consuming two to three teaspoons of gooseberry powder with water, three times a day.

If you still find yourself facing any of the symptoms of an acidic stomach, despite trying all these remedies, you should consult a physician immediately who will conduct several tests to identify the real cause of this condition. Many a time, this condition may be a symptom of another health problem, which should addressed and treated as early as possible.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.