What is the Meaning & Definition of gastric acidity

The acidity is a nuisance that usually occurs in the middle and top of the abdomen, is a feeling that is accompanied by burning and can even be located behind the breastbone and reach the throat.

The acidity is associated with disorders of the upper part of the digestive tract

The acidity is due to an excess production of acid in the stomach or the irritating effect of acid on the stomach and the esophagus, especially when these structures mucosa is inflamed by processes such as gastritis and esophagitis.
Other disorders can cause or aggravate discomfort as the acidity are hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux. In both conditions becomes shape stomach contents retrograde to the esophagus by conditions of the sphincter that separates the esophagus from the stomach.
The mucosa of the esophagus does not have the necessary mechanisms to protect themselves from the acid content from the stomach, which develops chemical burn and irritation that usually affects the final portion of the esophagus. Chronic Reflux can encourage the development of a lesion known as esophageal Barret, which can evolve towards the development of esophageal cancer if not treated properly.

The acidity can be prevented

The emergence of this annoying symptom can be prevented by adopting a series of basic measures that include:
-Avoid lie down immediately after eating, is recommended to wait 2 or 3 hours after eating before going to bed and even sleep on several pillows semi-sitting or raising the back of the bed.
-Prefer drinks like water and fruit juices instead of soda or other products that can generate gases.
-Make several meals a day instead of one or two very large meals, there is a greater filling stomach favour the emergence of reflux.
-Decrease in the consumption of foods that contain refined flours, especially if they are fried in oil, equally spicy sauces, spices, onion, garlic, intake and citrus fruits should be avoided.
-Do not drink alcohol.
-Reduce or avoid the consumption of coffee.
-Sometimes it is advisable to take an antacid when swallowed some food that normally produces acidity, typically these medications contain aluminum and magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate or carbonate of calcium oxide.
-Avoid the use of drugs that affect the mucosa of the stomach as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen, etc.). In the event that they need to be used, it is necessary to use protective drugs like ranitidine or omeprazole gastric.