Causes of Acidity

Forums Gastroenterology Causes of Acidity

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    Various factors can cause acidity of the stomach. These include food items, lifestyle, eating habits, exercise and body type. Junk food like Deep fried foods trigger acidity. Foods rich in oil and butter remain in the stomach for a long time and trigger more acid production. This is because fat slows down the rate of food passing into the intestine. Eating issues, like overeating and eating just before bedtime produces more acid in the stomach. Eating within 1 hour of bedtime can cause the contents of the stomach to stay for a longer time and trigger acid production. Caffeine in Chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drinks is highly acidic in nature and stimulates further production of gastric acid. Citrus fruits as in lemon, orange, sweet lime, grapefruit etc contains Citric acid and 0can increase the already acidic medium of the stomach. Alcohol like wine and beer by its very, tends to relax all the muscles including the lower esophageal sphincter. Large amounts of alcohol can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestine or even bring the digestive process to a halt. Soda, a carbonated drink the bubbles of which tend to expand once they reach the stomach and create pressure on the esophageal sphincter, causing it to open the wrong way and result in heartburn. Spicy foods like Paprika, vinegar, pepper, chilies, cinnamon, though moderate amounts of spices are good for the digestive tract, high quantities can stimulate gastrin, resulting in excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Medications like Pain killers, NSAIDs, antibiotics, chemotherapy medicines, bisphosphonates can cause the LES to relax and cause the acid in the stomach to regurgitate. Some of them can injure the esophageal lining and cause heartburn. Stress due to worry, fear or depression compels our body to respond to stress with a “fight or flight” reaction. Other foods and triggers that can cause acidity include: Nuts like peanuts, walnuts; Sweeteners – sugar, processed honey, artificial sweeteners like aspartame; Condiments like vinegar, mayonnaise, salad dressing; Processed foods and processed cheese; Grains and whole pulses; Obesity; Eating just before a vigorous physical activity and Pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. It is important to note that there is a Hiatal Hernia and Acid Reflux wherein the diaphragm, a thick membrane that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity, through the Hiatus – an opening in the diaphragm, allows the esophagus to get connected with the stomach. Hernia is a term used for a condition when an internal body part pushes itself to another area. When the stomach pushes upwards through the hiatus and bulges into the chest, it causes the esophageal sphincter to malfunction and allow the contents of the stomach to move back to the esophagus.
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