Hyper Acidity Causes and quick cure

Hyperacidity (Amlapitta) is one of the most common diseases seen in society. It is seen in all ages, all classes, and all communities. Hyperacidity refers to a set of symptoms caused by an imbalance between the acid-secreting mechanism of the stomach and proximal intestine and the protective mechanisms that ensure their safety.

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 The stomach normally secretes acid that is essential in the digestive process. When there is excess production of acid in the stomach, it results in the condition known as acidity.

Causes

‘Hurry’, ‘Worry’, and ‘Curry’ are the three main reasons for the disease.

Diet (Ahara)

Spicy food habits like eating samosa, burgers, pizza, etc.

Excessive use of chilly, Cinnamon, clove, mustard, garam masala powder (spice mixture), garlic, etc. in diet

Salty and sour foods like chips

Eating of stale, fermented foods (dosa, uttapam, idli, etc. bakery food items).

Excessive intake of fast food

Excessive intake of Oily foods, pickles

Intake of food and beverages in its hot condition like soups

Excessive intake of tea/coffee.

Lesser intake of water, dry food

Irregular meal times

Repeated food intake (before the digestion of the previously taken food)

Incompatible food like taking non-veg., pizza followed by milkshake.

Skipping meals.

Eating too late at night

Regimens (Vihara)

Lack of rest, fast-moving lifestyle.

Insufficient sleep at night.

Sleeping immediately after meals.

Suppression of natural urges.

Excessive exposure to sun and fire

Mental factors

Stressful lifestyle

Excessive anxiety, worry, jealousy, anger, fear

Job dissatisfaction

All the above factors result in an excessive increase of ‘Pitta dosha’ in the body and exhibit symptoms of hyperacidity.

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Signs and symptoms

Heart &chest burn (retrosternal burning)

Sour or bitter belching.

Nausea

Throat burn

Regurgitation of food or sour substance

Vomiting

Gaseous distention of abdomen

Heaviness in abdomen

Indigestion.

Aversion towards food.

Pain in the abdomen.

Chest pain.

Headache.

Bad breath.

Foul-smelling loose motions.

Severe burning sensation over feet, hands

Thirst

Mouth ulcer

Fatigue (especially in legs)

Tiredness

Fainting.

Giddiness.

Itching all over the body

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Prevention

As the saying goes “Prevention is better than cure” it is better to avoid all the causative factors of acid-peptic disorder (HyperAcidity).

Avoid excessive salty, oily, sour and spicy foods

Avoid heavy and untimely food

Avoid smoking and alcohol intake

Food should consist mainly of bitters like bitter gourd, matured ash gourd

Include barley, wheat, old rice and green gram in the diet.

Avoid overcooked, stale and contaminated food.

The food must be properly cooked

Follow mental relaxation techniques

Avoid causative factors

Palliative treatment - As the disease is of Pitta origin, all measures are undertaken to pacify pitta.

Panchakarma treatment When a patient cannot be well managed with oral medications ‘Panchakarma procedures’ like Vamana (emesis) or virechana (purgation) whichever is needed should be administered. In chronic cases, Asthapanavasti (medicated enema) is indicated.

Some important single drugs useful in Amlapitta

Shatavari - 3 gm twice a day with milk

Yashtimadhu - 3 gm twice a day with milk

Amalaki (Indian gooseberry) - 3 gm twice a day with water

Sunthi (dry ginger) - 1- 3 gm twice a day with water

Domestic Remedies

The Infusion of coriander seeds (Dhanyak) taken with sugar twice a day.

Water obtained from the green fruit of Coconut 100-500 ml to be taken twice a day.

Powder of Amla 3-6 gm with water.

Powder of Shatapuspa (Saunf) (Anethumsowa) with sugar mixed in a glass of water - 20 ml twice daily for 1 week or till the symptom subsides

Chewing of half a teaspoon of fennel seeds after food

Do's in HyperAcidity

Follow the meal times.

Light food, Coconut water, articles having cooling properties

Vegetables like white pumpkin, bitter gourd, matured ash gourd, leafy vegetables except for Methi

Wheat, old rice, barley, green gram, sugar candy, cucumber,

Fruits like gooseberry, dry grapes, black grapes, sweet lime, pomegranate, fig, dry fig,

Take an adequate amount of fluids like pomegranate juice, lemon juice, amla juice, sweet lime juice, Medicated water with ushir (wala) or coriander seeds, or laja (puffed rice). Warm water.

Dadimpak (sweet preparation made of pomegranate). Moramla (jam made from amla), gulkand (jam made from rose petals) with milk

A cup of lukewarm milk after every two or three hours.

One teaspoonful of ghee with warm milk

Take adequate sleep & rest

Practice Yoga, Pranayam, meditation & exercise regularly

Don’ts (Apathya)

Avoid excessive spicy, sour and salty substances

Avoid fried and junk food items

Do not remain hungry. Avoid fast.

Do not overeat, take small frequent meals

Avoid untimely and irregular food habit

Avoid foods containing excess amounts of garlic, salt, oil, chilies, etc. very often.

Avoid rice curd and sour fruits.

Avoid lying down immediately after food and in the supine position. 

The best-recommended position is left lateral

Avoid, smoking, alcohol, tea, coffee and aspirin type drugs.

Avoid stress

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