Acid indigestion is one of the most common digestive ailments, one characterized by discomfort and a sensation of burning, often just after eating. Millions of people complain of this daily, as commonly as of headaches and constipation, and the widespread advertising of acid indigestion remedies is proof of this. More formal terms for this condition are acidosis and hyperacidity, but it is more commonly referred to as heartburn.
This is because one of the more frequent symptoms is a burning sensation in the lower chest near the heart. The location of the pain relates to the position of the esophagus or gullet and the stomach, which is situated just under the diaphragm on the left side of the abdomen. Heartburn is caused by over secretion of hydrochloric acid by the cells of the stomach lining. This strong acid is there to break down and digest food, but an excess causes that sensation of heat we call heartburn. Abdominal fullness, belching, and nausea are other symptoms that can accompany acid indigestion.
Medically, too much acid is called hyperchlorhydria. The burning sensation usually starts in the chest and can also rise into the throat causing even more discomfort. Lying down after eating can make it worse as can bending and eating spicy or acidic foods like citrus fruits. Standing up can often relieve symptoms. Acid indigestion can be mistaken for heart disease but there are differences in presentation. Exercise usually makes heart related discomfort worse but doesn’t increase the heartburn problem. Acid indigestion pain is rarely related to being active physically.
However, a doctor should be consulted about any unusual chest pain or discomfort. Acid indigestion can actually damage the lining of the esophagus so it needs to be treated. Changes in lifestyle and diet can help quite a bit. Any food that aggravates that irritated esophagus should be avoided, including citrus fruits, tomato products, pepper and other strong spices.
Doctors recommend lifestyle and nutritional changes for most people with this trouble. They recommend avoiding foods and beverages that can irritate a damaged esophageal lining, such as citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, and pepper.
