according to Medical Dictionary, hyperacidity consists of an abnormal level of acid in the body. Commonly the condition occurs in the gastric region or stomach.
The entrance to the stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES usually closes once food enters the stomach.
If the LES opens too often or if it doesn’t close all the way, the acid from the stomach enters to the esophagus.
What are the symptoms of hyperacidity?
According to WebMD, the symptoms of hyperacidity include pain in the chest and heartburn. If you have these two symptoms routinely, you may have hyperacidosis.
Symptoms of hyperacidity include:
- Having a bloated-feeling midsection.
- Burping more frequently than usual.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Feeling or tasting acid in the back of the throat.
- Feeling full or uncomfortable in the stomach area after a meal.
- Hearing sounds or growling from the stomach.
- A painful or burning feeling in the upper abdomen.
What are the risk factors for having hyperacidity?
According to WebMD, a person’s chances of experiencing hyperacidity increase under certain circumstances.
These risk factors include:
- Having a hiatal hernia.
- Consuming a large meal.
- Lying in a prone position after a meal.
- Bending over after eating a large meal.
- Being overweight.
- Eating before going to bed.
- Smoking.
- Pregnancy.
Specific foods may exacerbate the problem such as:
- Foods such as mint, garlic, and onions.
- Fatty foods.
- Spicy foods.
- Caffeinated drinks.
- Citrus fruits such as oranges.
Certain medications also increase hyperacidity. Asprin, Ibuprofen, blood pressure medicines and a few muscle relaxers also create more acid in the stomach.
What lifestyle changes can be made to reduce stomach acid and hyperacidity?
A few relatively simple lifestyle changes reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces.
People who need to cut their stomach acid change the way they approach food by:
- Don’t overeat.
- Avoid spicy foods.
- Avoid fatty foods.
- Don’t eat then lay down or bend over.
- Don’t eat just before going to bed.
- Avoid citrus and other naturally acidy foods.
- Reduce the amount of caffeine or eliminate caffeine from the diet altogether.
What is a proper diet for hyperacidity?
Eating whole, unprocessed and healthy foods provides the body with the ingredients it needs to function correctly.
Avoiding acidic, spicy, and hot meals and choosing whole grain and natural foods allows the body to heal itself and prevents the stomach from overproducing acid.
Excess acid in the stomach may cause damage to the stomach and throat.
How is Hyperacidity Diagnosed?
According to Oxford University Press, a few medical tests detect hyperacidity.
These tests include:
– A barium swallow or esophagram that detects abnormalities of the esophagus. This test comprises swallowing a medical liquid that helps doctors see defects or problems with the esophagus.
– An Esophageal manometry that aids medical personnel in determining if an individual’s esophagus functions correctly.
– pH monitoring measures the levels of acid in the esophagus by inserting a device that measures the acid therein. This device left in the body for one to two days.
– An endoscopy, which uses a small lighted tube and cameral to view the esophagus and surrounding area. The doctor will anesthetize the patient’s throat and provide a sedative to make the endoscopy for comfort.
– Biopsies may be done during the endoscopy to analyze more esophageal tissue for severe problems or abnormalities further.
How can I reduce hyperacidity?
Several methods of reducing the acid in an individual’s stomach exist. Medications, behavioral changes, and natural processes have been used with varying results when treating this uncomfortable disorder.
What natural methods are used to treat hyperacidity?
According to sources at Mercola, several natural methods exist to help a person soothe their heartburn.
Some of these natural methods include:
Betaine
Betaine aids in food digestion and reduces heartburn. Take this supplement until the burning feeling ceases or follow the instructions on the packaging.
Baking Soda
Baking soda neutralizes stomach acids. To take baking soda, mix from one half to one teaspoon of baking soda into four to eight ounces of warm water.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera reduces inflammation, which in turn may reduce the symptoms of excess acid in the stomach. Aloe vera may be a laxative, so purchase a brand of the juice that is non-laxative.
Chamomile or Ginger Root Tea
Ginger root tea protects the stomach by blocking acid production in the stomach. Chamomile tea has similar acid reducing qualities and aids in relaxing a person at bedtime, too.
Astaxanthin
According to WebMD, astaxanthin is a carotenoid and algae used as a supplement to increase antioxidants in the human body.
While astaxanthin remains a supplement used for many purposes, it’s used for treatment for hyperacidity is becoming better known in recent times.
According to WebMD, This chemical can be found in foods such as:
- Marine algae.
- Rainbow trout.
- Salmon.
- Shrimp.
- Lobster.
Slippery Elm Tea or Tincture
The bark of the slippery elm tree has been used as a healing agent for generations.
Modern slippery elm users use slippery elm tea to soothe many types of irritations and primarily use the herbal tea to protect their intestines from excess acid.
Steep approximately four grams of powdered slippery elm into a strong drink to soothe and protect the esophagus lining and reduce stomach acid.
B Vitamins
Some of the B vitamins have been shown to reduce hyperacidity according to LiveStrong, tests from the University of Maryland medical center recommend eating high calcium and high B vitamins to lessen hyperacidity.
Low B2 and B6 levels were related to higher incidences of hyperacidity. Natural hyperacid stomach due to a lack of vitamin B can be treated by eating liver, spinach, beans or ocra, or take a vitamin B supplement.
What Lifestyle Changes will Lessen Hyperacidity?
Using Chinese herbs to reduce stomach acids. Chinese medicine blames eating the wrong foods and being upset as the two major factors that cause humans to have hyperacidity.
Stomach Fire and Liver Qi invade the abdominal region, and the regurgitation of stomach acids occur.
Stomach Fire
In traditional Chinese medicine, stomach fire happens when excess heat flows into the stomach.
Herbs for treating stomach fire include:
- Lu gen, which comes from the Phragmites communis reed plant.
- Huang Lian, which originates from the root of the Chinese plant variety named goldthread. Huang Lian reduces blood heat, cooling the stomach.
- Shi Gao, which is a variety of gypsum.
- Zhu Ru, which consists of small shaving s of the bamboo plant, variety Arundinaria japonica. These shavings are reported to cool the stomach.
Liver Qi
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) qi is the flow of energy through the body. In the case of Liver qi, the median of the liver may be blocked and prevent an adequate flow of energy to all parts of the body.
One of the results of an imbalance of liver qi is the occurrence of excess acid in the stomach.
Some of the natural methods of addressing liver qi blockage in TCM are plant-based and include:
- Xiang fu, which is the rhizome of Cyperus rotundus, or Chinese nutgrass.
- Mu Xiang, or the costus root, scientifically referred to as Auckland costus.
- Fang Feng, which is the Ledebouriellae divaricate plant’s root.
- The root of Paeonia lactiflora or the white peony, which relaxes the liver.
Licorice
Licorice remains one of the top choices for hyperacidity for use by Chinese medicine proponents.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, licorice has been used as a part of the treatment for one of the symptoms of hyperacidity, namely, heartburn.
Heartburn was decreased approximately 40 percent when this herb was used.
Traditional Chinese Medicine, along with learning relaxation techniques and lifestyle changes, may relieve symptoms of hyperacidity.
Acupressure and Massage can soothe hyperacidity
Acupressure is a natural method for relieving pain or distress in most areas of the body, including the abdominal area.
Merely placing a couple of fingers on a spot or massaging a specific way to ease the discomfort of hyperacidity, especially if the discomfort is due to overeating.
For more information on using acupressure as a treatment for excess stomach acid, please watch this brief YouTube video.
Yoga practices help to get rid of gastric hyperacidity
A regular yoga practice, when used routinely, can calm an individual and help them relax.
Feeling calmer allows the stomach to relax and reduces the amount of acid produced. Be sure to avoid inverted poses.
When using yoga for lowering the stomach acid levels, be sure to avoid yoga poses that cause stress on the abdominal muscles or require the yoga aficionado to bend over for extended periods.
Try this yoga set to get you started on a relaxing practice to soothe your mind at.
Ayurvedic stomach treatments reduce stomach acid levels
Ayurvedic medicine treatments originated many years ago in India. Several plant-based ayurvedic therapies have been used both in ancient and modern times.
Turmeric
According to WebMD, turmeric remains a commonly used spice from Asia that has a bitter, warm taste and aroma. The spice is used in cooking and as a food coloring to add a yellow color.
The key ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin reduces swelling, which relieves some of the distress of hyperacidity.
Some research indicates that turmeric reduces stomach acid when taken for a seven day period.
Turpeth Root (Nishoth)
According to Botanical.com, turpeth root or nishoth comes from the root of the Ipomoea genus of plants from India, Ceylon, Australia, China and the Pacific Islands.
The dried stems and roots of the plants cool down heartburn to ease the stomach of excess acid.
The fatty, resinous powder produced from the plant dilutes acids in the abdominal area, relieving excess stomach acids.
Sweetened Pumpkin Juice also has been used to limit the acid levels in a person’s stomach.
Tulsi
The experts at the US National Library of Medicine, state that Tulsi, or holy basil as it is sometimes called, can lower acid levels in the stomach and improve the symptoms of hyperacidity.
One of the ways tulsi tea can reduce acid build up in a person’s stomach is through reducing stress. Tulsi protects the body from toxicants such as heavy metals and radiation.
The small shrub also protects people from physical stresses such as noise and temperature changes while improving organ function. The stomach’s role, therefore, improves bodily function.
Metabolic stressors
The human body becomes stressed for many reasons, such as lack of sleep, poor diet, and psychological stress.
While scientists and medical personnel are still debating the reason for metabolic stress issues, the use of tulsi is indicated as a way of dealing with metabolic stress disorders and its intestinal consequences.
What Medications are used to Treat Hyperacidity?
Along with antacids, specific prescription and non-prescription medications taken orally can reduce stomach acids.
PPIs to reduce stomach acid
Proton Pump Inhibitors remain one of the most popularly chosen and prescribed types of acid reducers for those who have hyperacidity.
Some of the kinds of PPIs available Drugs.com are:
- Dexlansoprazole
- Esomeprazole
- Omeprazole
- Pantoprazole
The PPIs that people in the United States take go into the system through the liver. Each of these medications remains metabolized in three different ways.
Also, if the individual consuming the medicines has liver disease, these medications may not work well.
Omeprazole continues to be one of the choices preferred by people with hyperacidity who have liver disease.
Risks of PPIs
PPIs need to be consumed at the appropriate dose recommended by a physician or the instructions on the medicine’s box.
Some of the other dangers of taking PPIs include:
- Kidney failure.
- Clostridium difficile and related diarrhea.
- An increase of the possibility of having brittle bones and osteoporosis in those using a high dose of PPIs for an extended period.
- CLE and SLE, which are two types of lupus.
- PPIs may interfere with Clopidogrel, which reduces blood clotting in those with heart disease.
Side effects of PPIS
- A headache.
- Abdominal and gastric distress.
- Feeling dizzy.
- B12 deficiency in those who use PPIs for a lengthy period.
- Rashes.
- A change of color in the tongue or a change in the way food and drink tastes.
Is Kremil a good for hyperacidity?
One easy-to-take, useful remedy for hyperacidity is Kremil. According to Unilab, Kremil contains Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and simethicone.
Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide work together in the body to increase the pH of the gastric system and neutralize it.
Simethicone works by causing small gas bubbles in the stomach to combine to larger gas bubbles which are quickly passed.
A tablet of Kremil is chewed or swallowed to get its active ingredients into the gastric system.
Do not drink water after eating a Kremil tablet. Water may be taken to swallow Kremil tablet wholes, however.
In most cases, people using Kremil to reduce their hyperacidity take one or two tablets after each meal.
Also, taking Kremil before bedtime will keep nighttime reflux from interrupting a person’s sleep.
What types of Kremil work to stop heartburn and hyperacidity?
Kremil-S and Kremil Advanced antacids work toward reducing an individual’s acid levels and relieving many of the other symptoms of excessive acid in the stomach.
The Kremil-S tablet, according to Kremil-S Website, works quickly to stop heartburn and accompanying pain.
Kremil-S’s active ingredients can neutralize two times the acid as the leading antacid.
The hyperacidity sufferer who takes one to two tablets of this product discovered that they had relief from pain and acidity in as soon as five minutes.
Kremil-S includes the ingredients Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide and simethicone.
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide combine to neutralize gastric acids.
Simethicone works to combine gas bubbles in the intestinal tract. Once these bubbles are enlarged, they quickly pass from the digestive tract.
Follow the directions on Kremil-S’s carton, or consult your healthcare professional on how to take the product.
Kremil Advanced Formula
Kremil Advanced treatments produce two-fold results. The chewable tablet reduces the amount of stomach acid in the gut.
Additionally, Kremil Advanced minimizes the amount of acid produced in the stomach, too.
Famotidine, which is an H2 acid blocker, can lessen the amount of acid created by the intestinal tract in as little as five minutes.
Another ingredient in Kremil Advanced formula is calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate, according to RxList, consists of the mineral calcium, which both makes bones stronger and helps reduce acid in the stomach.
The final ingredient in Kremil Advanced consists of magnesium hydroxide. Sources at Healthline, indicate that magnesium’s use remains common in many antacids and works to neutralize stomach acid.
Unless you have kidney disease or are allergic to the ingredients of Kremil’s products, taking the treatment should be safe for most people.
Even pregnant women with heartburn or other signs of hyperacidity may safely take the medicine with their doctor’s approval.
Always consult with a healthcare provider if there are any questions or concerns about taking Kremil-S or Kremil Advanced.
A hyperacidity sufferer should always consult their healthcare provider if another condition besides hyperacidity may be present, or if extreme acid symptoms continue after treatment.
But for many individuals, using Kremil products remains the fast and easy way to get rid of the symptoms of hyperacidity.
