Have you ever had a burning sensation in your chest? Have you ever had a bad pain in your chest? If yes, then you should read this article as it could be a sign of acidity.
Acidity, also known as gastric acid reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric acid regurgitates backward towards your esophagus. Since gastric juice has acidic pH, it can cause extreme discomfort when it comes to your mouth, eventually causing burning sensations in your throat. Over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes can help treat the condition.
What are the Symptoms of Acidity?
The signs and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease are;
- Indigestion
- Burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach between meals or at night
- Hiccups
- Nausea or recurrent upset stomach
- Abdominal bloating
- Vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
- Black, tarry stools
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
- A sensation of a lump in your throat
Acidity mostly occurs at night. It also causes symptoms like;
- Chronic cough
- New or worsening asthma
- Disrupted sleep
- Laryngitis
If you suffer from these symptoms and you want to consult with the best Gastrologist in Lahore book an appointment through InstaCare.
What are the Causes for Acidity?
When you eat food, it travels through your esophagus that contains a sphincter that opens when food goes and closes to prevent gastrically acid reflux. Through this pathway, the food you eat travels to the stomach. If due to any reason, the sphincter of the esophagus relaxes or opens up when there is no passage of food, the gastric acid regurgitates to the esophagus, eventually causing acidity.
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What are the Risk factors for Acidity?
The risk factors for acidity can be:
- Excessive stress- burns, injuries, surgeries, or infections can put you at risk of getting gastritis and acidity.
- Excessive alcohol use- alcohol can cause irritation and erosion of the stomach lining that leaves your stomach vulnerable to digestive juices. Consuming too much alcohol can lead to acute gastritis and acidity.
- Consuming NSAIDs or other anti-inflammatory drugs- using too many pain relievers like naproxen or ibuprofen can lead to gastritis. It happens because NSAIDs work by stopping the production of chemicals known as prostaglandins which tend to protect your stomach lining. Therefore, when you consume it too much, your body fails to produce the protective chemical for your gastric lining.
- Older age- as you age, the gastric lining thins out. Therefore aging can also put you at risk of getting gastric ulcers.
- Autoimmune gastritis- a condition in which the cells of your body attack their own cells and damage the cells lining the stomach, eventually damaging the protective barrier of the stomach. It mostly occurs in people having other autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s disease and type I diabetes. However, it can also be associated with vitamin B 12 deficiency.
- Other health conditions or diseases- health conditions like Chronis’s disease, ulcerative colitis, HIV/AIDS, or other bacterial or protozoal infections can also lead to acidity.
What are the Complications of Acidity?
Acidity can lead to gastritis
Gastritis, if left untreated, can lead to ulcers in the stomach and severe bleeding. In rare cases, it may also increase the risk of stomach cancer, especially if changes have occurred to the lining and thinning has occurred.
What are the Treatment Options for Acidity?
The treatment for acidity is:
- Taking proton pump inhibitors or antacids that help reduce acid secretion.
- Avoid eating hot and spicy food.
- If gastritis occurs due to pernicious anemia, vitamin B12 shots will be prescribed.
- Avoid eating foods that irritate your stomach lining, like lactose in milk or gluten in wheat.
- To get rid of H.pylori infection, the healthcare provider may prescribe a regimen of two antibiotics and one proton pump inhibitor.
Conclusion
Acidity can be a painful condition. Therefore it should be treated as soon as possible. You should not ignore the symptoms of acidity. The symptoms of acidity, if left untreated, can lead to various complications. If you have a complaint of chest burn, you should visit the best gastroenterologist in Pakistan through InstaCare.
