Acidity is a set of symptoms caused by excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach. Your stomach naturally produces gastric or hydrochloric acid (HCl) to help digest and break down food. Acidity issues arise when there is excess production of this acid due to triggers such as acidic foods, alcohol, dehydration and stress. When acidity occurs, the excess acid may move up from your stomach toesophagus. The lining of your stomach with a pH of 1 to 3 is designed as such to withstand a high acidic environment. Your esophagus on the other hand with a pH close to 7 is not, and you may experience symptoms such as a burning sensation in the chest when this pH drops below 4.
CAUSES
Our stomach produces gastric acids to aid digestion. But, their corrosive effects are neutralised by the production of natural bicarbonate and prostaglandins secreted in the mucous lining. When the production of these chemicals is interrupted then it leads to damaged stomach lining which causes acidity.
Stress
Consumption of spicy and non-vegetarian foods
Smoking and alcohol
Stomach ailments like peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach tumors, etc.
Medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
SYMPTOMS
The common signs and symptoms that you might experience are –
Burning in the stomach
Burning in the throat
Restlessness
Belching
Nausea
Sour taste
Indigestion
Constipation
HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH
Homeopathy offers a selection of remedies for the treatment of heartburn and painful acid reflux symptoms. Homeopathy works by giving a tiny dose of a remedy whose characteristics are similar to those of the person who needs that remedy. The remedy stimulates the individual’s own vital force, or immune system, encouraging the body to heal itself.
Homeopathic medicine relies not only on identifying the symptoms of the disease, but on a variety of personality traits, the person’s mental state and other characteristic symptoms a patient exhibits which correlate to any particular remedy. When choosing a correct remedy for the treatment of heartburn, all aspects of the patient must be taken into account.