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What is Acidity or Acid Reflux?
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.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn resembles a burning sensation in the chest but has nothing to do with the heart.
What is GERD?
GERD is a regular pattern of acid reflux. Acid reflux that takes place two or more times a week, may be diagnosed as GERD.
What Causes Acidity?
Controlling the triggers can help reduce the frequency of symptoms being experienced, but everyone’s triggers may be different.
How To Relieve Acidity At Night?
Acidity bothering you in the middle of the night? You’re not the only one suffering. Heartburn can make falling or staying a sleep problematic.
When should I consult a doctor?
Occasional heartburn is a commonly occurring condition. Usually, it can be self-treated with OTC medications and the right lifestyle changes.
What is Acidity or Acid Reflux?
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. However, when these glands produce excess acid for the digestion process, one feels a burning sensation below the breastbone. This condition is commonly known as acidity.
Acidity, also known as acid reflux, is a condition that is characterized by heartburn. It is felt around the lower chest area. It is a commonly occurring condition which takes place when the stomach acid flows back into the food pipe. The most common acid reflux symptom is a burning sensation in the chest or pain. While most people suffer in pain, they do not realize that poor lifestyle choices are the primary reason behind acidity.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn resembles a burning sensation in the chest but has nothing to do with the heart. It occurs when acid flows backward from the stomach into the esophagus, a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. The triggers that cause heartburn vary from person to person. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. It is called ‘heartburn’ because the esophagus lies just behind the heart.
Some of the common reasons for Heartburn are diet, smoking and being overweight. Wondering about the differences between Heartburn vs. Acidity or Acid reflux vs. GERD (Gastrointestinal reflux disease)? Let us clarify.
Heartburn and acid reflux are common terms for gastroesophageal reflux. They are the most common symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD).
What is GERD?
GERD is a regular pattern of acid reflux. Acid reflux that takes place two or more times a week, may be diagnosed as GERD. Although not life-threatening, frequent exposure of the esophagus’ lining to acidic contents can result in tissue damage.
Consult a doctor if problems persist for over two weeks.
What is the difference between Heartburn and Acid Reflux or Acidity?
Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux characterized by a sensation of burning, pain, or discomfort in the chest. One may also experience a sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth. This usually happens after consuming a heavy meal or when you lie down after one.
Not everyone with GERD experiences heartburn. Other symptoms of acid reflux or acidity are feeling of tightness in the throat, dry cough, wheezing, belching, nausea after eating, hoarseness, stomach and upper abdomen bloating regurgitation of acid into the throat or mouth, a bitter taste in the mouth, upset stomach, feeling full and vomiting in some cases.
Difference between Symptoms of Heartburn vs Acidity?
Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. It is characterized by discomfort and/or a burning pain in the chest, around the area of the heart.
Acid reflux may include heartburn symptoms as well as other symptoms such as a warm or acidic taste at the back of the throat; sore throat; abdominal pain or discomfort; nausea, a feeling of fullness; bloating; a feeling of tightness in the throat; an upset stomach (dyspepsia); Swallowing may feel difficult, or there may be a sensation of food stuck in the throat.
What Causes Acidity?
Controlling the triggers can help reduce the frequency of symptoms being experienced, but everyone’s triggers may be different. There are many reasons for acidity, but it is often linked to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxing or weakening and letting acid escape from the stomach into the esophagus. The common causes of acidity include certain types of foods, medications, and lifestyle choices..
What are the common Triggers of Acidity?
Increased pressure on the abdomen :
Being overweight, obesity, or pregnancy; consumption of heavy meals; or wearing very tight clothes may exert pressure on the abdomen.
Certain types of medication :
Never stop taking any medication prescribed by your doctor without consulting them first.
Smoking or inhaling second hand smoke :
Smoking has a negative impact on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) causing it to weaken. Smoking also contributes to other digestive problems as well as cancer.
Greasy, spicy, or fatty foods :
These types of foods are to be avoided as they act as triggers for and worsen acidity.
Acidic foods :
Tomatoes, and tomato sauces, citrus fruits and juices.
Foods that increase stomach acid :
Hard to digest foods like sugary, heavy, greasy, and fatty foods. The stomach produces more acid to break them down.
Caffeinated beverages :
Beverages such as coffee, caffeinated teas, sodas, and energy drinks are to be avoided.
Alcohol :
Red wine is a far worse acidity trigger than white wine although both increase stomach acid production.
How To Relieve Acidity At Night ?
Acidity bothering you in the middle of the night? You’re not the only one suffering. Heartburn can make falling or staying asleep problematic.
Things That Can Make Acidity Worse
Lying down
Lying in a horizontal position makes it easy for the acid to move up from the stomach into the esophagus. Eating right before bedtime can also trigger heartburn if your body is still in the process of digesting a lot of food when you lie down.
Stress
Stress worsens heartburn also leading to consumption of other triggers like cigarettes, alcohol, or greasy comfort food.
Making positive changes to your lifestyle and diet can greatly help in managing acidity.
What causes acidity at night?
Night-time acidity is often the result of lying down too soon after eating. This position pushes acid from the stomach up into the lower esophagus. As a result, proper digestion of food becomes difficult. This can cause a burning sensation in your chest, known as heartburn.
How to Treat Night-Time Symptoms
For night-time relief from acidity, elevate your head and chest upright in bed, lie on your left side, or try standing up. Raising your upper body aids the stomach acid in naturally going down the digestive system resulting in reduction of heartburn symptoms.
Yet, if occasional heartburn symptoms persist, over the counter (OTC) medications, such as LOCID can treat them effectively by working fast to give relief and control acidity all night.
How to Treat Night-Time Symptoms
For night-time relief from acidity, elevate your head and chest upright in bed, lie on your left side, or try standing up. Raising your upper body aids the stomach acid in naturally going down the digestive system resulting in reduction of heartburn symptoms.
Yet, if occasional heartburn symptoms persist, over the counter (OTC) medications, such as LOCID can treat them effectively by working fast to give relief and control acidity all night.
When should I consult a doctor?
Occasional heartburn is a commonly occurring condition. Usually, it can be self-treated with OTC medications and the right lifestyle changes. In case your night-time heartburn symptoms worsen, or occur two or more times a week, it is a possible sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although GERD is not life threatening, consult your doctor if your symptoms persist for more than a couple weeks. Some people can self-manage the discomfort of GERD. However, in more serious cases, stronger medications or surgery may be advised to relieve symptoms.