My Vedic Life

• Acid reflux is a very common condition characterized by heartburn felt around the lower chest area. This is caused by stomach acid flowing back up into the food pipe. The common causes are unhealthy eating habits and poor lifestyle choices.

Causes of Acid Reflux:

• Acid Reflux is caused due to excess production of acid in the stomach by the gastric glands. Factors that cause acidity include:

1) Unhealthy eating habits:

• Skipping meals or eating at irregular times.
• Eating just before sleeping.
• Overeating.
• Consumption of spicy food.
• High intake of table salt.
• Diet low in dietary fiber.

2) Excessive consumption of certain food:

• Drinks such as tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, soft drinks.
• Extremely spicy food.
• Fat-rich food such as pizza, doughnuts, and fried food.

3) Side-effects of certain temporary medications as well as existing medications:

It includes medications such as:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Medicines for high blood pressure
• Antibiotics
• Depression and anxiety medications

4) Stomach disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, tumors, peptic ulcers, among others.

5) Other causes include:

• Consumption of non-vegetarian food
• Excessive stress
• Lack of sleep
• Frequent smoking
• Lack of physical exercise
• Frequent consumption of alcohol

Acid Reflux symptoms:

Acid Reflux symptoms differ from one person to another. Most things that contribute to gas also lead to acidity meaning, gas, and acidity symptoms are almost similar. While the most common acid reflux symptoms are chest pain and burning sensation below the breastbone, there are other symptoms that are uncommon. Acidity symptoms include the following:

• Burning sensation and pain in the stomach
• Burning sensation and pain in the throat

• Difficulty swallowing or the sensation of food being stuck in your throat
• Frequent burping or hiccups for no apparent reason
• Burning sensation and pain in the chest
• Regurgitation: Prolonged sour taste in the mouth or bitter-tasting acid that backs up into your throat and mouth
• Post-meal heaviness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Bad breath
• Restlessness

Home remedies for acidity:

Acidity is a common problem that most of us face at least once in our life. Most of us prefer home remedies over medications. Some of the home remedies for acid reflux include the following.

• Coconut water: This tasty treat is known to soothe your stomach and the digestive system. Take at least two glasses a day.
• Watermelon juice: It is great to counter acidity. You can take a glass of watermelon juice for breakfast.
• Fresh lime juice that is taken at least an hour before lunch helps to reduce the uneasiness caused by acidity.
• A glass of buttermilk after a spicy meal helps reduce the uneasiness as buttermilk contains lactic acid that normalizes the acidity in the stomach.
• You can either munch on a few basil leaves, or boil them in water and drink it frequently to reduce acid reflux. You can also do this with mint leaves.
• Drink a glass of lukewarm water after every meal
• Include banana, cucumber, and yoghurt in your diet. They are known to give instant relief from acidity.
• Surprisingly, sucking on a piece of clove when you have acidity helps to reduce the symptoms.
• Ginger aids in digestion. Use ginger in your cooking or boil it in a glass of water, reduce it to half glass and consume the water.
• Cumin is a great remedy for acidity. Munch on some cumin or boil a teaspoon of cumin in a glass of water. Boil until the water is reduced to half. Drink it on an empty stomach.
• Try chewing gum! As unbelievable as it may sound, chewing gum generates saliva that helps to move the food through the esophagus.
• Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water every morning on an empty stomach.
• Drink at least two liters of water every day.

The main cause of acidity is your lifestyle, and hence, the most vital remedy is lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes that may help include:

• Losing weight if you are overweight or obese
• Consumption of healthy food
• Maintaining regular eating time with dinner ending at least two to three hours before bed
• Having small regular meals
• Following a low carbohydrate diet.
• Avoid food that triggers acidity such as raw onion and citrus juice
• Avoiding caffeine and carbonated drinks
• Avoid sleeping on your right side
• Cut down on smoking and alcohol
• Keeping your mind and body active
• Starting stress-relieving activities
• Try to avoid medications that cause acidity

Avoid getting acidity:

Mild cases of acid reflux can usually be prevented by adopting a few lifestyle changes. For example:

1. Avoid lying down for three hours after a meal.
2. Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.
3. Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid pressure on your abdomen.
4. Lose excess weight.
5. Quit smoking.
6. Raise the head of your bed six to eight inches by placing wooden blocks under your bedposts. Bed risers are another option for doing this.

Mudra Therapy for acidity:

Combination of Mudras to relieve acidity.

• PRITHVI MUDRA + KAPHA KARAK MUDRA + JAL SHAAMAK MUDRA
• SURABHI MUDRA + APAN MUDRA +PRITHVI MUDRA