Acidity results from stomach acid travelling back into the esophagus. The food we eat goes into our stomach through the esophagus. The gastric glands in your stomach create acid, which is necessary to digest the food. When the gastric glands create more acid than needed for the digestion process, you can feel a burning sensation below the breastbone. This condition is commonly known as acidity. Acidity, also called acid reflux, is a condition that is characterized by heartburn that is felt around the lower chest area. This acid can irritate the lining of the esophagus leading to a burning and a painful sensation in the chest.
Chronic acidity may lead to serious risks that include:
Esophagus damage: Esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach and when acid moves back up and enters the esophagus, it sets the stage for esophageal ulcers, esophagitis, esophageal strictures, and Barrett’s Esophagus.
Esophagus cancer: There is an increased risk of esophagus cancer, which is more likely if you have a history of the condition in the family.
Cavities/tooth decay: Acid reflux can wear down the enamel of your teeth and lead to cavities.
This can be due to many things, but one of the significant causes is one’s lifestyle
What are the causes of acidity?
Some causes of acidity are
- Excessive smoking or drinking/ Overindulgence
- Irregular work hours and Less or no exercise
- Being overweight
- Stress or certain medications
- Some medical conditions may also be the reason. Consult your Health Coach if you think this is the reason for your acidity symptoms.
Making simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in reducing the risk of acidity. Thankfully, acid reflux is a condition that’s quite easy to control. That said, it does require a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Let’s discuss this a little more in-depth.
We recommend creating a long-term plan of action based on the conditions underlying causes.
- Sleeping time and position
Maintaining a gap of at least 2-3 hours between your mealtime and sleep time is important. It allows food to digest properly and prevent avoid reflux.
- Try to lose weight
Obesity could cause severe acidity. Hence, it’s important you take the necessary steps required to prevent it. avoid specific foods and replace them with a good amount of fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
- Visit a holistic wellness coach
If you experience heartburn on a regular basis, it is probably a good idea to consult a holistic wellness coach. They will give you a better understanding of the food that triggers you and will help you create a well-rounded plan suited to your personal requirements. These modifications will not only help in keeping acidity under control but also will help in healthy weight loss over a period of time.
Your wellness coach may suggest certain do’s and don’ts based on your health, which can help you control acidity.
