GERD symptoms and treatment : acid rising from my stomach. is it Gastritis? Please suggest Diet.
What is commonly known as “acidity” is actually several different conditions; some of these conditions may have similar symptoms, but many of the symptoms are unique to an individual condition. Gastro esophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is among the more common conditions involving abnormalities in stomach acid. This condition is usually the result of a problem with the esophageal sphincter, and involves acid rising from the stomach into the esophagus, causing the burning sensation known as heartburn. Since you have not mentioned heartburn in your question, I assume that this is not one of the symptoms you have been experiencing. GERD can therefore probably be ruled out. Another common condition colloquially referred to as “acidity” is “acid indigestion”, which involves an excess, or sometimes a lack, of stomach acid. Gastritis is another common acidity-related problem, involving inflammation of the stomach lining; this is sometimes the result of chronic acid indigestion, but it often develops independently, as a result of infection, bile reflux, or other problems with the digestive tract.
Whatever the case may be, finding the right treatment may involve a lot of trial and error. This is because it is quite difficult to identify the exact cause of the problem: all the causes mentioned earlier tend to lead to the same symptoms – nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating and discomfort, and sometimes heartburn and diarrhea. The treatment however may vary depending upon the cause.
GERD Diet: In spite of this, a mild problem can often be treated with some simple precautions. First of all, avoid consuming food that is extremely spicy or fatty. Also avoid consuming large meals – instead, consume small meals at regular intervals, so that the stomach does not stay empty for a long period of time, only to be stuffed twice or thrice a day. You can also try taking antacids, in case excessive production of acid is the problem. Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda or soda bicarb, is an effective home remedy for acidity. Simply mix a teaspoon of the powder with water, and drink it when you feel the need. However, this is meant to be taken only occasionally, as it is merely a symptomatic treatment; regular use of antacids is dangerous, as it not only creates a dependence on them, but also leads to other health problems eventually. In case antacids don’t help, the problem might actually be insufficient acid – in this case, drinking a solution of apple cider vinegar and water may be more effective. However, this too is only a temporary cure – if your symptoms continue for more than a couple of weeks, you must consult a doctor immediately.
