How can acidity lead to bigger health issues 5^th August 2022

Ever felt discomfort in your gut followed by a burning sensation in your chest? This could be because of acidity. Very often, people neglect the symptoms of acidity and gulp down antacids for instant relief. But, what is essential to know is that acidity can lead to severe health issues. If you wonder how acidity has more significant health implications, this article is just for you. We will examine acidity, its symptoms, cure, and other side effects.

What is acidity?
The entrance of your stomach valve, or the lower esophagus, closes itself as soon as food passes through it. However, if, due to some reason, the valve remains open, the stomach acids can move up and cause a burning sensation or discomfort. This phenomenon is known as acidity.

What is acid reflux?
If you experience symptoms of acidity frequently or more than twice a week, then chances are that you might suffer from a gastric condition known as acid reflux. Burning pains and discomfort after eating a meal are symptoms of acid reflux.

Let's understand the common causes of acid reflux?
1. Eating heavy portions of food
2. Sleeping after consuming food
3. Overweight or obesity
4. Eating foods such as tomato, garlic, and onion in abundance
5. Eating too much spicy food
6. Eating fried food regularly
7. Habitual drinking of alcohol, caffeine, etc.
8. Smoking
9. Side effects of certain medications

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?
1. Heartburn: A burning sensation moving up your chest via the stomach
2. Regurgitation: Bitterness or foul taste in the mouth
3. Bloating
4. Blood in stool
5. Hiccups
6. Nausea

What are the long-term implications of acid reflux?

1. Esophageal stricture:
The tightening or narrowing of the esophagus is known as an esophageal stricture. Since the esophagus has restricted space, it becomes difficult for the food to pass down the esophageal tube.
These situations can aggravate quickly and result in cancerous and non-cancerous growths. People suffering from esophageal stricture experience severe pain in their throats and face difficulty when swallowing food.

2. Esophageal ulcer:
During acid reflux, the acids in the stomach traverse upward through the esophagus. The constant contact of the acid can burn the stomach's inner lining. It wears away the tissues and forms a sore. This can cause bleeding and pain while swallowing food or other drinks. People experiencing this are advised to have fibre-rich foods such as oats, legumes, nuts, fruits, etc.

3. Barrett's esophagus:
The swallowing tube connecting the mouth and the stomach experiences damage due to acid reflux and causes the lining to become red and thick. Barrett's esophagus increases the risk of esophageal cancer, which can sometimes be fatal.
Patients experience chest pain and irritation under these circumstances. There are chances of vomiting blood or passing bloody stool. Weight loss is another common side effect of Barrett's esophagus.

These are some of the bigger complications of acid reflux. Healthy eating and proper exercise are critical to a healthy future. Acid reflux is more commonly found among elders. This is because, as you grow older, your muscles become weaker. This puts the elderly members of your family at greater risk of acid reflux. A few ways to ensure a lower risk of acid reflux are by opting for healthier diets and eating habits, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and drinking.

If the problem persists, you should talk to your doctor and get an expert opinion. Medications can heal acid reflux to some extent. Ensure to go through regular health checkups to avoid problems in the future. Do not forget to invest in health insurance in India for parents to safeguard their health during the tough time of their age.

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