Acidity Symptoms - Symptoms & Causes

Acids play one of the major roles in the entire digestion process. But the same acid can be one of the problems if secreted in excess amounts. There are several health problems related to acid secretion in our stomach. Acidity is an important topic from the Human Health and Disease chapter class 12th in Biology and it carries a weightage of 5% in NEET and 4-5% in CBSE and other Paramedical Exams.

What is Acidity?

A condition known as acidity, sometimes known as acid reflux, is characterised by heartburn that is felt in the lower chest region. When stomach acid rushes back up into the food pipe, it is a common symptom.

The most typical sign of acid reflux is a pain or burning sensation in the chest. This not only upsets the stomach but also results in other symptoms like indigestion, a sour taste in the mouth, and trouble swallowing.

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Causes of Acidity

Acidity results from the stomach's gastric glands producing too much acid. Some common conditions for acidity are:

• Poor Eating Patterns

• Overindulging in certain foods and beverages, such as tea, coffee & carbonated beverages

• Adverse effects of some short-term medications and current medications.

• Digestive problems like Gastroesophageal reflux disease, tumours, and peptic ulcers are a few reasons for Acidity.

• Additional Acidity Causes include

Hyperacidity Symptoms of Acidity

There can be conditions when due to acidity there can be too much uneasiness. These can be indications of some serious issues. Some common symptoms are mentioned below:

• Heartburn is a chronic discomfort that originates in your stomach and extends to your chest and neck.

• Upper abdominal ache that persists

• crimson or dark stools, frequently with bloody vomiting

• Wheezing, a persistent sore throat, a dry cough, or hoarseness

Diagnosis of Acidity

It is important to see a doctor if you develop any acidity symptoms, such as burping (with a sour taste in your mouth), regurgitation, bloating, or burning pain or discomfort (also known as heartburn).

• Monitoring the pH: It determines how acidic the oesophagus is. The doctor inserts a device into the oesophagus and leaves it there for two days to measure the quantity of acid there.

• Barium swallow: It aids in locating ulcers and a constricted oesophagus. After applying a solution, an X-ray will be taken.

• Endoscopy: This procedure involves inserting a long, flexible light-filled tube through the mouth and checking the oesophagus and stomach for problems using the camera at the bottom. Sedation or anaesthesia are used to do it.

• Esophageal manometry: It is a test that assists in determining how well the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the oesophagal muscles are working. It will let your doctor know if your oesophagus can accommodate your meals normally or not.

Side effects of Acidity treatments

The medications used for treating acidity may offer quick relief, but there have been reported negative effects associated with long-term use. Bone fracture, renal failure, heart attack, dementia, and vitamin shortage are a few examples of adverse effects with scientific support.

Risk Factors of Acidity

The following circumstances enhance the risk of acidity:

• Asthma, diabetes, celiac disease, and connective tissue disorders like scleroderma are examples of diseases

• abdominal hernia

• stomach empties more slowly

• Overweight/obesity

• Pregnancy

• women who will soon enter menopause

• hormone replacement treatment in females

Acidity Treatment

Based on your health and the severity of your acid reflux issue some of the treatments are mentioned below:

Types of Questions Asked from Acidity

The table below contains the different patterns of questions asked on acidity in different exams.

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Acidity

It is difficult to remember everything in a single go. We made the entire problem easy. Some of the tricks regarding Acidity are given below which you can use to memorise the important points.

Antacids

"MAC: Magnesium, Aluminium, Calcium"

• M: Magnesium hydroxide

• A: Aluminium hydroxide

• C: Calcium carbonate

H2 Receptor Blockers

"CRNF: Cimetidine, Ranitidine, Nizatidine, Famotidine"

• C: Cimetidine

• R: Ranitidine

• N: Nizatidine

• F: Famotidine

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

"OEP: Omeprazole, Esomeprazole, Pantoprazole"

• O: Omeprazole

• E: Esomeprazole

• P: Pantoprazole

Symptoms of Acid Reflux

"HBCR: Heartburn, Belching, Chest Pain, Regurgitation"

• H: Heartburn

• B: Belching

• C: Chest pain

• R: Regurgitation

Preventing Acid Reflux

"SALES: Small meals, Avoid triggers, Lose weight, Elevate head, Stay upright"

• S: Small meals

• A: Avoid trigger foods

• L: Lose weight if overweight

• E: Elevate head during sleep

• S: Stay upright after meals

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