Acidity

 Symptoms Of Acidity

1. Heartburn

2. Regurgitation

3. Sour taste in the mouth

4. Difficulty in swallowing

5. Sore throat

6. Indigestion

Causes Of Acidity

1. Food and dietary factors

2. Lifestyle factors

Frequent smoking

Excessive intake of alcohol, soda or carbonated drinks

Lack of

3. Ailments and medications

Excessive stress, worry, fear or depression

Stomach diseases like peptic ulcer, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, stomach cancer etc. sleep

Risk Factors Of Acidity

The following conditions are related to increased risk of acidity:

• Medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, celiac disease, connective tissue disorders like scleroderma

• Hiatal hernia

• Delayed stomach emptying

• Obesity/overweight

• Pregnancy

• Women who are nearing menopause

Diagnosis of acidity

-Upper GI endoscopy

-pH monitoring

-esophageal manometry

-

Prevention of acidity 

_Eat small, frequent meals

_Eat a low carb diet

_chew your food properly

_Avoid eating late at night

_Limit consumption of spicy & deep fried foods

_limit intake of caffeine & carbonated beverages

_limit your alcohol intake

Key Facts

Usually seen in

• Adults above 30 years of age

Gender affected

• Both men and women

Body part(s) involved

• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Intestine

Prevalence

• Worldwide: 11.9% (2005)
  
• India: 7.6–18.7% (2018)

Mimicking Conditions

• GERD 
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Achalasia
• Gastritis
• Dyspepsia
• Gastroparesis

Treatment

• Antacids: Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Trisilicate & Calcium Carbonate
• H2 receptor blockers: Famotidine & Ranitidine 
• Proton pump inhibitors: Omeprazole, Pantoprazole & Rabeprazole
• Prokinetic drugs: Domperidone, Metoclopramide & Levosulpiride
• Coating drugs: Sucralfate & Colloidal bismuth (CBS)

Specialists to consult

• General Physician 
• Gastroenterologist