The stomach, part of the gastro-intestinal tract, is situated at the end of the oesophagus(gullet) in the abdomen. A sphincter controls the passage of swallowed food materials from the oesophagus into the stomach where the digestion of food occurs. To facilitate digestion, the stomach secretes hydrochloric acid among other substances. This activates the pepsinogen enzyme in the stomach into pepsin which initiates digestion.
What happens in hyperacidity and heartburn?
When the hydrochloric acid collects and increases in volume without being utilized for the digestion (when we skip meals) symptoms of hyperacidity occur. When the sphincter which controls the passage between the oesophagus and stomach is weak, there occurs a regurgitation or reflux of the acid into the oesophagus. This produces the symptoms of heartburn.
Symptoms of Hyperacidity and Heartburn
Hyperacidity is characterized by a feeling of discomfort or pain in the upper part of the abdomen, one to three hours after meals. This is also termed dyspepsia. Features of decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting, malaise and flatulence are associated with it. When there has been reflux into the oesophagus, heartburn is experienced. This is a burning sensation felt just above the abdomen in the chest region. Heartburn has at times been mistaken for cardiac illness.
Causes of Hyperacidity and Heartburn
The two problems have been associated with anxiety, tension and worry, constipated individuals, those with flatulence, those who do not partake of food at regular intervals, and those whose food habits are abusive to the body, some medical conditions and systemic illnesses like hyperthyroidism.
Alcohol abuse, smoking, carbonated drinks, fast and fried foods, hot and spicy foods must be particularly noticed as causative in nature. Tomato sauce, citrus fruits and chocolates have also been deemed as possible causative factors.
Lying down immediately after meals, wearing uncomfortably tight clothes or belts or drinking orange juice on an empty stomach are probable reasons too.
Home Remedies for hyperacidity and heartburn
First of all, some lifestyle changes are required if you are to prevent the onset of hyperacidity and heartburn. All the factors mentioned as causes must be noted and appropriate arrangements are made to our lifestyle and outlook so that we do not in any way offend our stomach or aggravate the situation if the stomach has already begun to protest.
Your carelessness or ignorance may spark off hyperacidity and then heartburn. These symptoms may appear mild to us and medications or home remedies for hyperacidity and heartburn may be used irregularly. What really happens in the stomach may be a more drastic reaction. The hyperacidity sets off a vicious chain reaction by which the condition worsens into forming ulcers in the stomach. Your negligent attitude and failure to change our lifestyle may cause the ulcers to becoming non healing ones and later even cancer of the stomach which is a point of no return.
Bananas, watermelon and cucumber consumption, eating a lemon rind or chewing basil leaves (tulsi) are good hyperacidity and heartburn for home remedies.
Diluted or thinned buttermilk mixed with a pinch of powdered pepper taken regularly serves as a reliable home remedy for hyperacidity and heartburn. This is one of the effective hyperacidity and heartburn treatment
Consuming fresh pineapple juice after meals or eating jaggery is enjoyable home remedies for hyperacidity and heartburn. Some intelligent old-timers used to partake of tea with jaggery is the effective natural remedy for hyperacidity and heartburn.
Drinking about ten glasses of cold water or frequent sipping of fresh mint juice are easily executable remedies.
Chilled milk, free of fat, taken every few hours curbs the problem. This is one of the best diet for hyperacidity and heartburn.
Sweet lemon juice before meals serves as an effective home remedy for hyperacidity and heartburn.
Cumin drink (boiling one teaspoon of cumin in two liters of water) taken daily keeps the problem at bay. This is one of the effective hyperacidity and heartburn treatment.
Hyperacidity and heartburn cure - Ginger juice with a spoonful of honey after meals effectively shoos hyperacidity away.
Natural remedy for hyperacidity and heartburn - Children may be given apple cider vinegar in water to which a little baking soda is added. Burping of infants after each meal is advisable.
Last but not least, a cup of delicious vanilla ice cream is the yummiest home remedy for heartburn and hyperacidity.
