What Is Stomach Acid?

Stomach acid is in our stomach for a reason. It's a big part of the digestive process that breaks down foods and then sorts them out into the right places, killing bacteria, viruses and fungi before they can enter the body. It also turns vitamins and minerals into forms our bodies can soak up and use. However, stomach acid can cause some health problems. When the muscle that keeps some of the contents from bubbling up into the esophagus doesn't close properly, stomach acid pushes upwards into the esophagus and throat, causing acid reflux and the symptoms of heartburn. If you're among the 95 million people who struggle with this problem regularly, don't worry. According to the National Institutes of Health, with some dietary and lifestyle changes, you can soothe these digestive upsets.

Identification

• Digestion involves mixing food with digestive juices, moving it through the digestive tract, and breaking down large molecules of food. When you eat, food moves from the mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach where it will be digested. The process actually begins when you chew and swallow and is completed in the small intestine. In normal digestion, the lower esophageal sphincter muscle opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes to prevent food and other acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the esophagus. When digestive juices escape the stomach and come back up through the esophagus because the muscle is weak or relaxes inappropriately, you will experience acid reflux. This can also cause a variety of other symptoms like burping, bellyaches, bloating and a feeling of food being stuck in the esophagus after swallowing.

Theories/Speculation

• Stomach acid problems can be caused by any number of factors. Some doctors believe a stomach ulcer or hiatal hernia may be a contributing cause. This occurs when the upper part of the stomach moves up into the chest through a small opening in the muscle that separates the stomach from the chest. Symptoms of stomach acid problems can be caused by overeating, bending over, lying down, drinking, wearing tight clothing or physical exertion too soon after eating a meal. Regular attacks accompanied by a burning sensation or constriction in the throat may be caused by a loose muscle at the base of the esophagus, which allows acid to flow back from the stomach.

Prevention/Solution

• Prevent stomach acid problems by avoiding fatty foods, switching to sugar-free drinks and getting more exercise. Thirty minutes of daily exercise can ease symptoms because it boosts the production of serotonin, an antidepressant hormone essential for digestive-tract function. Trim fat whenever possible. Fat relaxes the valve at the top of the stomach, allowing acid to splash up into the esophagus. The good news is that cutting about 10 grams of fat from your daily diet could cut your risk of heartburn 50 percent or more. To trim fat, drink two glasses of 1 percent milk rather than whole milk. Also, skip the yolks of your omelet and have one cup of light poultry instead of dark meat. Take at least 30 minutes to eat your largest meal of the day. This way, you're less likely to experience heartburn. Try eliminating the foods you suspect bring on the burn, then reintroduce them one at a time so you can identify which, if any, cause symptoms.

Treatment

• Diet is very important in treating stomach acids. Doctors who specialize in the treatment of acid stomachs recommend a bland diet of small, regular meals, including foods like milk, rice, fish, chicken and cereals. If symptoms continue for a while, you should see your doctor ,who may prescribe an antacid preparation such as aluminum hydroxide or magnesium trisilicate that neutralize acidity in the stomach. You may also want to visit a gastroenterologist, a doctor who treats diseases of the stomach and intestines. You may need tests to rule out other conditions.

Effects

• To make sure your stomach has enough acid at mealtimes, chew your food thoroughly and properly. It's important to get saliva mixed into the food as you chew. This will get your digestion process off to a great start. Know that nature intended for you to eat enzyme-rich foods. This way, food that enters the stomach is laced with digestive enzymes, which would then pre-digest your food. Processing and cooking destroy enzymes in food. Enjoy at least one cup of yogurt daily. It contains active cultures, a great source of friendly bacteria that help to inhibit the growth of harmful organisms in the digestive tract.

Misconceptions

• Surgery to stop stomach acid from backing up into the esophagus provides no better long-term relief than taking Aciphex or Nexium. According to recent University of Oklahoma studies, proton pump inhibitors (PPI) relieved heartburn for 91 percent of student subjects in as little as one day. Also, eating high-fiber, whole grain bread can cut heartburn flare-ups by 50 percent because it soaks up the chemicals that relax stomach muscles.