Acidity is excessive acid production in the stomach causing heartburn and acid reflux. Excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach can be due to stress and spicy food. The purpose of the acid secreted in moderate quantities in the stomach is to aid in the digestion of proteins that are consumed. Acidity is described in terms of the pH value of a substance. The pH value ranges from 0 to 14 and is an indication of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. A value of zero indicates highly acidic, a value of 7 indicates neutrality and a pH of 14 signifies highly basic or alkaline. Water has a pH value of 7. The pH of the stomach acid ranges between 1.5 to 3.5. Food consumed via the mouth passes through the pharynx (back of the throat), esophagus or the food pipe and reaches the stomach. Food is mixed with saliva in the mouth and reaches the stomach in about seven seconds. At the end of the esophagus is the flap called lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that opens to let the food into the stomach. The Sphincter is a one-way flap that allows the food to go from esophagus to stomach and not backwards. Occasionally, the acid or the food contents are pushed back into the esophagus from the stomach, and the esophagus lining gets disturbed. The lining of the esophagus is not as well protected as that of the stomach. This acidity of the esophagus causes heartburn. The condition is experienced as a painful burning sensation in the middle of the chest.
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