How to Get Rid of Acidity: Dos and Don’ts for Lasting Relief

When you have acidity, many problems start occurring which can sometimes be serious. These problems are as follows -

• Stomach pain. 
• Breathing problems. 
• Feeling a burning sensation in your throat. 
• Sudden weight loss. 
• Burning in the chest. 
• Belching. 
• Difficulty swallowing. 
• Feeling pain in the chest.
• Vomiting or nausea. 
• Feeling uneasy. 
• Dry throat and dry cough. 
• Blood in stool. 
• Sour taste in mouth. 
• Lack of appetite or less appetite. 
• Feeling pressure in the chest after eating. 
• Bad breath. 
• Ear pain. 
• Feeling discomfort in the anal area. 
• Indigestion. 
• Hair loss. 

(Read more -Natural Remedies For Acidity)

The following first aid can be done for acidity -

• Consuming cold drinks, soda or other gas-containing substances causes acidity and if you are already having a burning sensation in the stomach, then these can increase your problem further. Try not to take all these things when you have acidity. 
• Eating bananas is a good option when there is acid in the stomach because bananas contain substances that do not allow more acid to be formed and also reduce the problems caused by it. You can eat ripe bananas when you have acidity. 
• If you have acidity, try to sleep on your left side while sleeping. By doing this, the acid formed in the stomach will not come into your food pipe and you will not have trouble while sleeping.
• Consume apple cider vinegar before or after eating food. The substances present in it make digestion of food easy and also reduce acidity. To consume it, squeeze a lemon in a glass of water and add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to it. Now drink this mixture before or after eating as per your convenience. It also provides immediate relief from heartburn. 
• Consuming caffeine-containing substances in case of acidity can further aggravate the problem. If you are suffering from acidity, try not to take caffeinated liquids like tea and coffee, drink herbal tea instead. 
• Drinking cold milk is a good remedy in case of heartburn. The calcium present in milk keeps the level of acid formed in the stomach normal and if there is already excess acid, then that also reduces. However, if you drink hot milk, you may not get any special relief from it. Remember that while drinking cold milk, do not add sugar, chocolate powder or any other thing to it. 
• Chew the food properly. If you swallow food without chewing it properly, then the body has to work harder to digest it, which leads to acidity in the stomach. That is why chew the food well so that the digestive system does not have to work too hard. Keep in mind that you eat food two and a half or three hours before sleeping, so that the body gets enough time to digest the food. 
• Eating raw salad and vegetables can prove beneficial in case of heartburn. If you are suffering from acidity, do not eat too much cooked food. If you are not able to do this, then at least take raw salad with food. 
• If you have a problem with acidity, then eat banana, watermelon and cucumber daily. Drinking watermelon juice is also considered good for acidity. 
• Fennel can be used in case of heartburn. Fennel contains such substances, which improve digestion and also provide relief in acidity. For this, you can chew and eat fennel or soak it in water and drink the water. By doing this, you will get immediate relief from acidity.
• If you have acidity, then make it a habit to take out some time every day to exercise. This will also strengthen your digestive system and you will also get relief from acidity. 
• Olive oil is beneficial for stomach irritation. However, only a teaspoon of olive oil is enough for you because it can increase the problem if the stomach is already upset. Instead of cooking vegetables in olive oil, it is better to eat it by adding it to your food. 
• Instead of eating a lot of food at once, eat less food in small intervals. Having a long time gap between meals also causes acidity. 
• If you have acidity, then mix some sugar in water and drink it about an hour before eating so that you do not get acidity after eating. 
• Drinking water in acidity reduces the level of acid present in the stomach and excess digestive juices come out of the body. If you have acidity, drink a glass of lukewarm water in the morning on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping. You will get a lot of benefit from this. 
• Honey is also a good remedy for acidity. Eating a little natural honey before or after eating food is good for stomach irritation. 
• If you have acidity, do not take pickles, chutney and other chili foods, these can increase your acidity. 
• Curd also gives instant relief in stomach irritation. If you have acidity, eat a little cold curd. 
• Pudina (mint) is very cooling to eat, that is why it can also be beneficial in case of stomach irritation. Mint reduces excess acid present in the stomach and also provides relief in indigestion. To consume it, boil some mint leaves in water and then cool the water and drink it. 
• If you have acidity after eating, chew gum after eating. Chewing gum produces more saliva in the mouth and the food can pass easily through the food pipe. This keeps the acid level in the stomach normal and you do not have acidity. 
• Try not to talk while eating and calm your mind before eating.
• Ginger also provides relief in digestion. If you have acidity, then definitely add a little ginger to your food. 
• Wearing very tight clothes affects the digestive process, so try to wear slightly loose clothes so that your acidity problem does not increase. 
• It is believed that coconut water provides a lot of relief in stomach irritation. If you are having acidity, then drink coconut water. 
• If you smoke, try to quit this habit as it also causes heartburn. If you are unable to give up your habit, at least do not smoke until the acidity is cured and do not go near anyone who is smoking because the smoke of their cigarette can also harm you.
• Drinking too much alcohol also increases heartburn. If you have acidity, do not consume alcohol at all. 

(Read more -What problems can acidity cause)

Although there is no need to go to the doctor in case of heartburn, but you should consult a doctor if -

• You are also having stomach pain along with heartburn. 
• There is pain in the chest along with heartburn. Especially if the pain is happening suddenly. 
• You are passing dark coloured stools or there is blood in the stool.
• You are experiencing shock symptoms such as weakness and dizziness. The stomach pain is very severe. 
• You are having a fever along with stomach pain. 
• You are having stomach cramps and they are not getting better. 
• You are vomiting a lot or there is blood in the vomit. 
• You are having difficulty swallowing food. 
• You are not able to sleep properly due to the pain. 
• The stomach pain is spreading to other areas or is occurring in a new place. 
• You are feeling a lump in the stomach. 
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin. 
• Losing weight without any reason. 
• Swelling in the abdomen. 

(Read more - Top Juices to Relieve Acidity)

Drink cold water or coconut water for instant relief from acidity, as it soothes the stomach acidity. Eat slowly and in small portions, and avoid spicy, fried, fatty foods. Natural ingredients like ginger, mint, and cardamom are helpful in reducing acidity. Avoid lying down immediately after eating and sleep 2-3 hours after eating. If acidity is a frequent occurrence, lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly and reducing stress, are necessary. Consult a doctor if the problem persists.