Tips to manage acidity

Acidity or heartburn is becoming increasingly common. There are many reasons to blame for it. It could be because of bad lifestyle and dietary habits like eating out very often, eating spicy food regularly, skipping meals etc. or it could be due to stress, lack of sleep or heredity. No matter the cause, acidity can be very disturbing and painful and can become severe if it's not taken care of.

WHAT ARE ACIDITY SYMPTOMS?

Acidity symptoms differ from one person to another. Acidity symptoms include the following:

·         Burning sensation and pain in the throat, chest and stomach.

·         Difficulty swallowing or the sensation of food being stuck in your throat

·         Frequent burping or hiccups for no apparent reason

·         Burning sensation and pain in the chest

·         Prolonged sour taste in the mouth or bitter-tasting acid that backs up into your throat and mouth

·         Post-meal heaviness or bloating

·         Nausea

·         Indigestion leading to diarrhea or constipation

·         Restlessness

STEPS TO PREVENT AND CURE ACIDITY:

•         Avoid skipping meals. Follow proper meal timings.

•         Avoid eating spicy food on a regular basis.

•         Chew your food properly. You eliminate the possibility of acidity to a large extent when you chew your food properly as it allows your food to reach your stomach and intestines in a much more digestible form.

•         Get proper sleep. A minimum of 6-8 hours of sleep is necessary.

•         Maintain an ideal body weight. If you are overweight, aim at reducing your weight and maintain an ideal body weight.

•         Quit alcohol and smoking. Alcohol will increase the symptoms of acidity and heartburn.

•         Avoid having a late dinner. Finish dinner by 8pm and keep a gap of 2-3 hours in between your dinner and bed time.

FOODS TO BE AVOID:Caffeine (coffee, tea and chocolate), Spicy food, Junk food and foods high in fat, Soft drinks and carbonated beverages, Alcohol, Citrus fruits and acidic foods like tomato (avoid these foods on an empty stomach)

FOODS TO INCLUDE:Vegetables like cucumber, carrots, cabbage, peas, Non-citrus fruits like apple and banana, Whole grains, Egg whites, fish and chicken (skinned out), Green leafy vegetables

HOME REMEDIES FOR ACIDITY

1.       Boil some mint leaves in water and have a glass of this after meals.

2.       combine 1 tbsp. of ginger and lemon juice with 2 tbsp. of honey in warm water. Drink this when you feel uneasy after having meals.

3.       soak a few fennel seeds in water and drink up the water and chew on the fennel seeds to get immediate relief.

4.       To get relief from heartburn, drink up a glass of cold buttermilk. Buttermilk contains lactic acid that neutralizes the acidity in the stomach.

Along with these, drink plenty of water to neutralize the stomach acids. Avoid depending on antacids as it could have long-term side effects. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO MANAGE ACIDITY USING NATURALLY AVAILABLE FOODS. IN SEVERE CASES, MEDICAL ATTENTION WOULD BE NECESSARY.