Bothered By Constant Acidity? Here Are 5 Best Ways To Reduce Stomach Hyperacidity!

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux or stomach hyperacidity, is a typical digestive ache that many people encounter. It happens when stomach acid is in excess. This can cause discomfort like burning sensations in the chest and throat, especially after eating. 

It occurs when the digestive system's natural balance of acids and enzymes is disrupted, allowing acid to move back into the oesophagus. Factors like diet, stress, or certain medications can trigger this condition. Managing stomach hyperacidity usually involves changing your diet and lifestyle and sometimes using medicines to lower acid production or neutralise stomach acid.

Understanding stomach hyperacidity's causes and symptoms is crucial to controlling and lessening its impacts. This article underscores the complexity of hyperacidity and provides insights into its treatment, prevention, and lifestyle modifications to support digestive health and general well-being. Read ahead to learn about how you can reduce stomach acidity.

Table Of Contents

1. How To Reduce Acidity In The Stomach?

2. Dietitian’s Recommendation

3. The Final Say

4. FAQs

5. References

How To Reduce Acidity In The Stomach?

Reducing stomach hyperacidity involves practical strategies supported by scientific evidence to restore digestive balance and alleviate discomfort. Here are effective ways to achieve this:

1. Revamp Your Diet

Certain foods trigger excess acid production. Eating smaller, more frequent meals helps manage acidity. Avoiding acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and spicy dishes can also help reduce acid stimulation during digestion. Avoid these foods, especially on an empty stomach in the morning. You can also follow a specialised acid reflux diet if you are experiencing frequent hyperacidity. 

2. Transform Your Lifestyle 

To ease the pressure on your stomach and stop acid reflux, maintain a healthy weight. After eating, try not to lie down right away and raise the head of your bed to use gravity to keep the acid down. Smoking cessation and limiting alcohol consumption can also greatly alleviate symptoms.

Also Read: 7 Healthy Eating Habits And Tips For A Balanced Lifestyle!

3. Take Power Of Prescription 

Consider over-the-counter antacids for quick relief by neutralising stomach acid. H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are prescribed for more severe cases to reduce acid production. Here are some medications that are typically prescribed; however, only buy them after consulting a doctor.

• Antacids: Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate

• H2 Receptor Antagonists: Ranitidine, Famotidine, Nizatidine

• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Lansoprazole

4. Master Your Stress 

Stress causes the body to release cortisol and adrenaline, which encourage more gastric acid in the stomach. This can cause problems such as gastritis or acid reflux. 

Chronic stress also affects how well the gastrointestinal barrier works. When it is not functioning properly, the lining of your stomach becomes more delicate, which can lead to stomach acid damage. 

Managing stress with relaxation exercises, meditation, or therapy could help decrease cortisol levels. This might lead to less gastric acid secretion and potentially ease symptoms caused by an overproduction of stomach acidity.

Also Read: 11 Proven Tips To Manage Stress

5. Take Aid From Natural Remedies

Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which can neutralise the acid in the oesophagus. Drinking chamomile or ginger tea may also provide soothing effects. Drinking cold milk on an empty stomach significantly reduces stomach acid and helps soothe symptoms. Having alkaline foods like bananas, watermelon, etc, would help reduce acidity.

Dietitian's Recommendation

As a dietitian, I recommend avoiding acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, coffee, and carbonated drinks, which can trigger excess acid. Choose lean proteins and avoid spicy and fried foods that irritate the stomach. Eat smaller, frequent meals to manage acid levels better. To support digestion, include fibre-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Stay hydrated with water and chew food thoroughly. Avoid late-night eating and lying down after meals to reduce acid reflux risk.

                                                                           Dt. Aditi Upadhyay

The Final Say

To deal with stomach hyperacidity, you should make dietary changes and lifestyle adjustments. At times, taking medications may also be necessary. By avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller meals more frequently, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing stress, individuals can help regulate stomach acid and alleviate symptoms. 

Antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors all provide more relief by neutralising acid or lessening its creation. Natural methods like chewing gum and herbal teas can also help. Personalised management under healthcare professionals' guidance is important for controlling symptoms according to each person's needs and conditions.

FAQs

1. When should I see a doctor after having a heartburn? 

See a doctor if you have severe or ongoing symptoms, trouble swallowing, unintended weight loss, or if you don't notice improvement in your symptoms with lifestyle changes.

2. Can stomach hyperacidity lead to complications? 

Yes, it can lead to problems like inflammation in your oesophagus, ulcers, narrowing of the oesophagus, and a condition called Barrett's oesophagus (which can lead to cancer in rare cases). Getting medical help early can prevent these complications.

3. Why is my stomach producing so much acid?

Your stomach might produce too much acid because of factors like eating acidic or spicy foods, having large meals, being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol, taking certain medications such as NSAIDs, experiencing stress, or having conditions like gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These factors can increase acid production, causing symptoms such as heartburn or acid reflux.

References

• The Evolution of Stomach Acidity and Its Relevance to the Human Microbiome - PMC (nih.gov)

• Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms, Causes, Tests, and Treatments (webmd.com)

• HYPERACIDITY OF THE STOMACH | JAMA | JAMA Network

  
  

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