| What is Acidity? | | | | one dish rather than the whole meal. |
| | | | |
| The human stomach contains gastric glands | | | | § Fibers are necessary in the diet as they |
| which are responsible for the proper | | | | help in the digestion. |
| digestion of food in it. Gastric glands | | | | |
| achieve the digestion by secreting various | | | | § Red meats must be eaten only |
| acids, the chief of which is the hydrochloric | | | | occasionally, if at all. |
| acid. These acids are aided by various | | | | |
| enzymes of the stomach in bringing about | | | | § After a meal, the body must be given |
| digestion. The level of acids in the human | | | | some sort of exercise. This could be as |
| stomach is generally controlled; but for some | | | | simple as going for a stroll. |
| reason if the level of acids increases beyond | | | | |
| thenormal levels, then the condition is known | | | | § Too much addiction to strong foods such |
| as acidity. | | | | as tea and coffee may cause acidity. This is |
| | | | also true for other addictions such as |
| Hence, acidity is the condition in which | | | | smoking and alcohol. |
| there is an excess secretion of acid within | | | | |
| the stomach. Other names for acidity are | | | | § Do not consume sour foods as they |
| hyperacidity or acid dyspepsia. | | | | already have acidic contents. Acidic foods to |
| | | | avoid are pickles, curds, tamarinds, vinegar, |
| Why is Acidity caused? | | | | etc. |
| | | | |
| The stomach is equipped with these acids in | | | | How can Acidity be controlled with Simple |
| order to be able to digest the food. The | | | | Home Remedies? |
| acids are released when foods enter the | | | | |
| stomach. However some foods are difficult to | | | | There are several simple household tips to |
| digest than the others. For such foods, the | | | | keep acidity under control. The following are |
| stomach needs to secrete more acids. | | | | some of them:- |
| Continuous secretions of such acids could | | | | |
| lead to acidity in the stomach. | | | | § Eat two plantains early in the morning |
| | | | and down them with a glass of milk. |
| This excessive production of acids could be | | | | |
| made higher due to various factors. Ulcers in | | | | § Taking two tablespoonfuls of Isabgol |
| the stomach are one of the commonest causes | | | | (psyllium seed husks) in milk after every |
| in increasing acid production. | | | | meal is beneficial for elimination of |
| | | | acidity. |
| People with stomach cancers will also have | | | | |
| acidity problems as one of the symptoms. For | | | | § Squeeze the juice of a whole orange and |
| this reason, acidity should not be ignored if | | | | mix it with roasted cumin seeds. Add some |
| it lasts for a long period of time, or if the | | | | rock salt to flavor it. This solution gives |
| person is older. | | | | immediate relief from acidity. |
| | | | |
| There is a condition known as the acid-reflux | | | | § Eat equal portions of ginger and |
| complex, due to which the stomach acids are | | | | coriander. This pacifies the digestive fire. |
| refluxed back to the food pipe. When this | | | | |
| happens, a prominent sour taste is felt in | | | | § Mix equal amounts of ginger extract and |
| the mouth, and a belch might occur. | | | | mint extract. Having this two to four times a |
| | | | day provides relief. |
| What are the Symptoms of Acidity? | | | | |
| | | | § Alternatively, the extract of a ginger |
| When a person has acidity in the stomach, | | | | can be mixed with equal amount of honey. This |
| there can be a vast difference in the kinds | | | | is to be put on the tongue every dawn and |
| of symptoms observed. For some people it may | | | | dusk. |
| be a simple bellyache, but for others, it | | | | |
| could lead to days of restlessness with | | | | § Two teaspoonfuls of powder of amla |
| continuous cramps in the stomach. | | | | (Indian gooseberry) taken twice a day is also |
| | | | helpful. |
| In fact restlessness is the most common | | | | |
| symptom of acidity, followed by nausea and | | | | § If the acidity continues for a long |
| vomiting. There is a sour taste felt in the | | | | time, then try adhering to a milk diet. Milk |
| mouth, which is due to the excess deposition | | | | may initially be troublesome to the digestive |
| of the acids. Sometimes there are sour | | | | system, but the indigestible curds it would |
| belches and passing off wind. Other digestive | | | | form in the body would generally be vomited |
| problems like constipation and indigestion | | | | out. |
| will also occur. In some cases, stiffness is | | | | |
| felt in the stomach. | | | | § Mixing two teaspoonfuls of ghee in a |
| | | | glassful of milk and taking this once a day |
| How can Acidity be avoided? | | | | acts as a laxative, which would flush out the |
| | | | excess toxins from the body. |
| A proper dietary pattern is the best thing in | | | | |
| order to avoid acidity. The following tips | | | | § Coconut water is good for reducing |
| must be followed:- | | | | acidity in the stomach. |
| | | | |
| § Avoid foods that are rich in oils and | | | | § If using rice, make sure it is at least |
| fats. These foods are difficult to digest, so | | | | two years old. Wheat flour can also be |
| they may make the stomach release more acids. | | | | beneficially used to reduce acidity. |
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| § The diet should contain a proper blend | | | | Read More on Acidity treatment by Ayurveda |
| of all the tastes. Spicy foods must be just | | | | and Acidity Home Remedies. |