AN OVERVIEW OF ACIDITY
For the purpose of breaking down the food, human body produces acid to help in the process of digestion. However, when the gastric glands in our body secrete too much acid then it will cause acidity. Those people, who are usually very panicky and emotional, have more chances of developing this medical condition.
Acidity is an ordinary health condition and it refers to a number of symptoms, which are caused by disproportion of acid secreting mechanism and the protective mechanism in the body.
Studies have reported that acidity normally takes place after having meals, when pressure is applied on the intra-abdominal region or when a person is ready to sleep at night. Heartburn, dyspepsia and ulcers are few of the signs and symptoms of acidity.
CAUSES
Hydrochloric acid and a number of enzymes (like pepsin) are produced by digestive glands, stomach and intestine. It is essential that the stomach should be protected from such acid and enzyme otherwise these gastric juices can attack the stomach. Acidity is caused by a number of reasons, some of which are as follows: - Eating foods, which are very spicy. - Drinking alcohol. - Consumption of NSAID’s or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. - A diet consisting of too much meat.
AYURVEDIC REMEDIES
Ayurvedic medicines are natural medicines, which will not only get rid of the signs and symptoms of acidity, but they can also get rid of this problem itself. These remedies usually consist of the use of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Some of the ayurvedic remedies, which you might find useful, are: - Celery: Soak the seeds of celery in buttermilk for about five hours. After that ground the seeds in the buttermilk and drink it. - Jaggery: This is one of the best remedies for acidity. After you finish your meal, take about five to ten grams of jaggery and have it. This will not only improve digestion but it will also get rid of acidity. - Clove: When you have finished your meal, get a piece of clove and slowly suck it. This will help in relieving acidity. - To eradicate acidity in a few minutes, drink a glass of cold milk or have a cup of vanilla ice cream. - Ginger: After each of your meals, take a piece of ginger and chew it. It will help in putting a stop to indigestion and acidity. - Cinnamon: If you consume cinnamon, it will help in digestion. Take a tablespoon of cinnamon in a glass of water and take this mixture in about after thirty minutes of your meal.
YOGA ASANAS
Yoga asanas or postures can help you get relief from acidity. Most of the asanas will have to be performed in shavasana or the corpse pose. Some poses, which you can undertake, are: - Chakra Padasana or leg rotation. - Utthanpadasana or raised legs pose. - Pada Sanchalanasana or cycling pose. - Suptudarakarshana or sleeping abdominal stretch pose.