Hyperacidity

Hyperacidity and Heartburn


Heartburn is an uncomfortable feeling of a burning sensation or warmth in the chest. This is a condition that affects your digestive system and is extremely common. Although heartburn may be named so and may be
experienced in the chest it has little to do with your heart, but is the result of stomach acid. Hyperacidity is a condition characterized by excessive production or an excessive presence of digestive acids and juices. Heartburn and hyperacidity are not necessarily conditions in themselves, but are more often than not indicative of some other underlying health condition or simply occur as symptoms warning of unhealthy eating habits or lifestyle. On a positive note, home remedies for heartburn can offer considerable relief from these symptoms of indigestion and acid reflux and generally include easy to acquire ingredients like baking soda or apple cider vinegar that are even safe to consume while pregnant.


Under normal circumstances the digestive juices and stomach acids remain trapped in the digestive system or stomach where they perform the important task of helping digest and absorb nutrients from the foods we eat. These stomach juices are prevented from resurfacing to the mouth, throat or esophagus by a valve like muscle that only relaxes or opens to allow for the passage of food in. If this valve does not function efficiently or if there is an overwhelming build up of pressure on the stomach then the contents of the stomach, namely these digestive juices may be forced back up - a process termed as reflux. Acid reflux that occurs with heartburn and hyperacidity causes severe irritation to the lining of the throat and esophagus. The burning sensation that is produced from the acids travelling in this reverse direction is what is generally described as heartburn.

If this is a rare occurrence then there is no real cause for worry and you can get some quick natural heart burn relief with a variety of home remedies. Frequent or persistent heartburn and hyperacidity on the other hand causes some serious damage in the long run, with the trivial symptoms like belching and nausea being the least of your concerns. The liquid that is regurgitated can do damage to the lining of the esophagus, which may not always be noticeable. Inflammation of the esophagus is not a common problem but it could become a concern. The regurgitation of digestive juices causes symptoms of heartburn because they contain stomach acids and pepsin. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that helps in the processing of protein. The regurgitate liquid may also contain bile from the duodenum. Acid is probably the most dangerous of these but they all cause considerable damage to the esophagus.



Causes of Hyperacidity and Heartburn

Although hyper secretion of hydrochloric acid and reflux of gastric acid are the primary reasons for hyperacidity and heartburn respectively, following are some other causes of hyperacidity and heartburn.

Not eating on time
Eating fried and spicy food regularly
Stress, anxiety and insomnia
Obesity
Pregnancy
Excessive smoking
Drinking excessive alcohol
Wearing tight clothes
There are various factors that could contribute to the occurrence of heartburn and hyperacidity but in most cases heartburn and hyperacidity symptoms are caused by unhealthy eating habits and also by certain specific foods. Your diet is therefore the single most important influencing factor on both heartburn causes and cures. Lifestyle and eating habits also have a significant impact as eating heavy meals or consuming meals soon before going to bed can cause severe heartburn as your digestive system is subjected to undue stress and does not have adequate time to digest foods. The reclined position when sleeping also allows for an easier flow of fluids back up, which is why it is best to eat a few hours before bed time. A sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to the problem of heartburn. Certain medications may also aggravate or even trigger the condition.

Remedies for Hyperacidity and Heartburn

If you feel acid problem in your stomach then chew some basil leaves.
Slowly suck a small piece of jaggery.
A glass of chilled milk is a quick remedy for hyperacidity and heartburn.
Almonds are quite effective in treating heartburn; chew few almonds when you experience heartburn.
Ginger root with honey taken after meal is effective for treating heartburn.
Diet for Hyperacidity and Heartburn

Fruits like apple, watermelon and banana are recommended for people with hyperacidity problem. Avoid fried food, pickle, hot and spicy food. Take your meals regularly on time, don’t skip them. Drink plenty of water. Avoid garlic, onion, pepper, radish and cabbage. Avoid unripe fruits. Do not haste while eating, always chew your food properly. Include plenty of green and leafy vegetables in your diet.

Heartburn treatment to relieve heartburn pain naturally in pregnant women, children, or any individual for that matter should focus on diet. Foods that are known to trigger heartburn include fatty foods like reed meats, junk foods and other fried or oily foods. Excessively spicy foods and any foods with vinegar, tomato sauce, mustard or black pepper should also be avoided. Chocolates are also known to trigger or aggravate symptoms of heartburn and hyperacidity. Some of the biggest causes of heartburn include carbonated and caffeinated drinks, so make sure you avoid consuming any such drinks. Alcohol is another important cause of heartburn. Smoking is the worst thing you can do if you suffer from heartburn as it not only causes aggravation of the symptoms temporarily but it also causes permanent damage to the esophageal sphincter, which is the muscle band that acts as a one way valve preventing the regurgitation of stomach juices. Smoking causes a hardening and deterioration of this muscle.