Is stomach hyperacidity troubling you? Symptoms, dietary triggers, and how the 'glass of water' test could help

Hyperacidity refers to an excessive production of stomach acid. It's vital to understand that hyperacidity isn't synonymous with heartburn, but rather, heartburn can be a symptom of this condition. Managing this issue is feasible, and it's certainly not one to ignore.

Irregular meal times, hurried eating, excessive intake of processed foods, certain medications, unhealthy habits, and chronic stress are the usual culprits behind hyperacidity. The disease could also trigger excessive acid production.

Common hyperacidity symptoms include heartburn, nausea, persistent bloating, and constipation. Acid reflux and a burning sensation in the chest could also be warning signs. You can do a simple test at home to check if your gastric discomfort results from excessive stomach acid.

Prepare a glass of room-temperature water to confirm if your gastric discomfort is due to hyperacidity. Before you drink it, mix in a teaspoon of baking soda.

How long till you burp naturally? If it takes less than 40 seconds, this might be a sign of excessive acid production. Timing yourself with a stopwatch could be useful, but remember that this simple home test doesn't eliminate the need for a consultation with a medical professional.

Overlooking this condition could potentially lead to serious health issues. Failure to administer suitable treatment could result in the development of difficult-to-treat ulcers and even tumors. Normally, medical treatment is the chosen method to deal with this.

As the age-old saying goes, "Prevention is better than cure." An imperative rule of thumb when it comes to meals is to avoid rushing and to chew your food properly; smaller portions work best. It's also crucial to maintain a regular eating schedule.

Avoiding foods that could potentially exacerbate hyperacidity such as fried or spicy dishes, sweets, heavy products, and vinegar is recommended. Breaking away from unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive drinking could help too. Remember, proper hydration plays a key role in mitigating symptoms by diluting the acid in your stomach.