Acidity Reflux and its Causes
One of the common anomalies in the stomach of the human digestive system is the formation of excess acid. It often travels back to the esophagus where there is no protective lining. This causes acid reflux disease. Even though there is a one-way sphincter muscle guarding the pyloric end, it flows back to the food pipe causing a lot of problems. In this article, we will study what causes acidity, its symptoms, and how it can be treated.
What is Acidity?
As mentioned earlier, a one-way valve is present at the lower end of the food pipe or esophagus. It is the junction of the food pipe and the stomach of the gastrointestinal system. This valve is made of sphincter muscles that stop the acidic chyme of the stomach from flowing back into the pipe. In normal cases, this valve closes as soon as a food bolus passes to the stomach. Due to improper closing and opening of this valve, the acid in the stomach travels upward and enters the food pipe, causing acidity. It is also called acid reflux disorder.
The person affected by such anomalous flow of acid will experience heartburn and chest discomfort. If it happens more than twice a week then a person is supposed to be suffering from acid reflux. It is commonly known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is what is acid reflux disease called in physiology.
Causes of Acid Reflux
Here is a list of acidity causes that signifies the above-mentioned physiological incident.
Hiatal Hernia
Due to the presence of a hiatal hernia, the upper section of the stomach along with the lower esophageal sphincter moves above the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the stomach and chest. It is responsible for keeping the acid chyme inside your stomach. Due to the presence of a hernia in the hiatus, it can cause acid to travel back to the food pipe crossing the sphincter valve.
Overeating
One of the prime acidity causes is overeating. When a person overeats, the food content in the stomach adds an extra load. If the person lies down, the chyme gets disbursed and causes pressure on the sphincter muscle resulting in the infiltration of the acid content in the food pipe.
Overweight or Obesity
Due to the presence of excess fat in the belly, a person can experience acidity problems frequently. It also happens for the same reason of creating excess pressure on the stomach resulting in the partial opening of the esophageal sphincter.
Postures
It also happens when a person does not maintain the proper posture while sitting or sleeping after eating a meal.
Poor and Irregular Food Habits
It also happens when a person does not eat proper food at the right time. Maintaining a routine is mandatory for the apt functioning of the gastro-esophageal system. In fact, eating excess oily food and spicy dishes can also lead to such conditions.
Smoking
Smoking is one of the prime reasons that cause acidity. Nicotine present in the tobacco products relaxes the sphincter muscles resulting in the backflow of stomach acid to the food pipe.
Consumption of Beverages and Alcohol
Acidity in the stomach can be caused due to overconsumption of alcohol, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, etc.
Pregnancy
Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and the growing baby pressing on the stomach, a pregnant woman experiences acid refluxes often.
Consumption of Medications
Some of the medications that can cause acidity are ibuprofen, aspirin, antihypertensive medicines, muscle relaxants, etc.
Psychological Conditions
Psychological conditions that can also cause acidity are stress, anxiety, depression, etc.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Another good reason behind acidity is a sedentary lifestyle. If a person is not physically active and does not do any exercise, he is more likely to develop GERD in the future.
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Symptoms of Acidity
Heartburn
The cardiac end of the stomach is close to the heart. It is the place where the sphincter muscles guard the esophageal opening. It is a feeling that a suffering person experiences in this location.
Regurgitation
One of the acidity symptoms is the backflow of acidic chyme to your mouth, travelling straight through the food pipe. It causes a bitter and sour taste in your mouth or throat.
Stomach bloating and burping
Nausea
Hiccups
Black stools
Vomiting (with or without blood)
Unusual weight loss
Wheezing
Chronic soreness in the throat
These are the acidity symptoms experienced by the patients. The doctors also check for these symptoms to identify GERD and plan treatment.
Treatment for Acidity
After a diagnosis is done, the level of the disorder is checked. It is then an acidity treatment is planned using various medicines and lifestyle changes. After knowing the reason for acidity, the following things are prescribed and suggested by the doctors.
Consumption of smaller meals
Quitting smoking and alcohol
Changing sitting and sleeping posture
Lying down at least 2-3 hours after taking a meal
Wearing loose clothes
Losing excess weight.
Checking existing medicines for adverse effects
Using specific medicines on time prescribed by the doctors for acidity cure
Exercising regularly and remaining physically fit to promote metabolism
Conclusion
This is all you need to know about acidity and heartburn. Find out the causes and correlate the effectiveness of the treatment plans. The symptoms help the doctors to diagnose acidity and to plan a treatment process for particular cases.
FAQs on Acidity
1. What is acidity in the context of the human body?
In a biological context, acidity, commonly known as acid reflux, refers to a condition where stomach acid flows backward from the stomach into the oesophagus (the food pipe). This happens when the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), a muscular valve between the oesophagus and stomach, weakens or relaxes inappropriately, failing to prevent the backflow of acidic contents.
2. What are the common symptoms of acidity?
The most common symptom of acidity is heartburn, a burning pain or discomfort in the chest. Other frequent acidity symptoms include:
A sour or bitter taste in the back of the mouth (regurgitation).
Bloating and frequent burping.
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
A sensation of a lump in the throat.
3. Why does the stomach produce a strong acid like hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the first place?
While excess stomach acid can cause problems, its production is vital for healthy digestion. Hydrochloric acid serves two main functions as per the CBSE Class 10/11 syllabus: it kills harmful bacteria and other pathogens present in food, preventing infections, and it creates the optimal acidic environment (pH 1.5-3.5) needed to convert pepsinogen into pepsin, the enzyme that begins protein digestion.
4. Why is the burning sensation from acidity often felt in the chest and not the stomach?
The stomach has a thick, specialised layer of mucus that protects its lining from the corrosive nature of hydrochloric acid. The oesophagus lacks this protective layer. When stomach acid refluxes into the oesophagus, it directly irritates the sensitive tissues, causing the painful burning sensation known as heartburn, which is felt in the chest area behind the breastbone.
5. What happens if acidity becomes a frequent or chronic issue?
Frequent or chronic acidity can lead to a more serious condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Over time, constant exposure to stomach acid can cause significant damage to the oesophagus, leading to complications such as oesophagitis (inflammation), ulcers, scarring that narrows the oesophagus, and an increased risk of oesophageal cancer in the long term.
6. How do certain foods and lifestyle habits trigger acidity?
Certain factors can increase the risk of acidity by either relaxing the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) or increasing stomach acid production. Common triggers include:
Foods: Spicy foods, oily or fried foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and caffeine.
Habits: Overeating, lying down immediately after a meal, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Conditions: Obesity and pregnancy can increase pressure on the abdomen, leading to more frequent gastric symptoms.
7. How do common medicines like antacids work to relieve acidity?
Antacids provide rapid relief by directly counteracting the acid in the stomach. They contain alkaline compounds (bases) like magnesium hydroxide or calcium carbonate. These bases engage in a chemical neutralization reaction with the excess stomach acid, increasing the pH and reducing the burning sensation. However, they only treat the symptom and not the underlying cause of reflux.
8. What is the difference between acidity and indigestion?
Although often used interchangeably, acidity and indigestion are different. Acidity specifically refers to the symptoms caused by acid reflux, primarily heartburn. Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a broader term for general discomfort in the upper abdomen. While acidity can be a symptom of indigestion, indigestion also includes other feelings like bloating, excessive fullness, nausea, or upper abdominal pain that may not be related to acid reflux.
9. Can stress be a direct cause of acidity?
Yes, stress can significantly contribute to acidity. While it may not be the sole cause, high stress levels can affect the digestive system in several ways. It can increase the production of stomach acid, slow down the rate at which the stomach empties its contents, and increase a person's sensitivity to the pain caused by acid in the oesophagus. This connection is managed by the body's gut-brain axis.
10. Are there any foods that can help soothe acidity?
Yes, certain foods can help manage the symptoms of acidity. Foods that are alkaline or low in acid can help neutralize stomach acid. Examples include:
High-fibre foods: Oatmeal and whole grains can absorb acid and reduce reflux symptoms.
Alkaline fruits: Bananas, melons, and apples are less likely to trigger reflux.
Other options: Cold milk or buttermilk can provide temporary relief by coating the stomach lining and neutralizing acid.
