NATURAL TREATMENT OF ACIDITY
ABOUT ACIDITY
According to Ayurveda acidity is known as Amlapitta which is one of the most common symptom (disease) seen and faced by people in the society. In acidity, pitta dosha is much more involved in comparison to vata & kapha dosha.
Acidity comes under Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). This problem or a disease happens when acid in the stomach regularly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (oesophagus). People suffering from acidity experiences acidic reflux.
Acidity commonly results to heartburn. Hydrochloric acid is present in the stomach which helps in the efficient digestion of food and protect the growth of unwanted bacteria. So when there is an excessive production of this acid leads to the disturbance in the gastric glands of stomach.
CAUSES OF ACIDITY
- Eating heavy meals close to bedtime
- Highly spicy food
- Life style
- Consumption of beverages such as alcohol, coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks
- Smoking
- Anti-inflammatory medicine and some of the antibiotics
- Being Pregnant
- Stress and tension
COMPLICATIONS OF ACIDITY
1. Ulcers
Due to over secretion of gastric juices, there is the disruption in the lining of the upper part of small intestine. In some cases, ulcers can be the cause of cancer.
2. Dyspepsia and heart burns
Dyspepsia is the narrowing of the esophagus which creates the sensation of food being stuck in the throat. It occurs after taking meals and is brought by excess abdominal pressure. In acidity one has to face burning sensation in the chest, burping and sometimes leads to chest pain.
SYMPTOMS OF ACIDITY
- Nausea
- Burning sensation in the chest
- Burping
- Vomiting tendency
- Chest pain
- Sensation of a lump in your throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Bloating
- Severe pain in the stomach
- Difficulty in breathing when acidity is at the acute stage
- Due to hyper acidity there is erosion of gum and teeth
- Bad breath
What are the risk factors of Acid Reflux?
It affects people of all ages, sometimes for unexplained reasons. Often, acid reflux is due to a lifestyle factor such as
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Eating snacks during bedtime
- Lack or low level of physical activity
- Some medications such as calcium-channel blockers, painkillers, antihistamines, and sedatives, and also medicines for asthma.
- Drinking some beverages, such as alcohol, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, etc.
CAUSES OF ACIDITY – ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA
Acidity in Ayurveda is the production of Ama (toxin) in the body which results in the sourness and heat in body. In Ayurveda cause of acidity is due to pitta dosha. When kapha is associated with aggravated pitta, acid starts effecting esophagus. Aggravation in the doshas is due to eating spicy and sour food, smoking and excessive consumption of tea, coffee, sleeping immediately after meal, stress and anger.