ACIDITY

Acidity occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus. Common causes include large meals, eating too fast, lying down after eating, spicy and fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol, stress, obesity, and certain medications (NSAIDs, aspirin). In India, irregular meal timing and excessive tea on an empty stomach are frequent triggers.

Spicy curries, fried foods (pakoras, puri), excessive tomatoes, citrus, raw onion, coffee on an empty stomach, carbonated drinks, and very oily dal or sabzi are the most common Indian dietary triggers. Eating large dinners late at night is also a significant cause.

Chewing fennel seeds (saunf) after meals aids digestion and reduces acidity. Cold milk provides temporary buffering. Coconut water neutralises stomach acid gently. Ajwain (carom seeds) with warm water relieves gas and acidity. These offer symptomatic relief - persistent acidity needs dietary assessment.

Cold water provides brief symptomatic relief by diluting acid, but it doesn't address the underlying cause. Warm water is generally better for digestion. Sipping water throughout the day (rather than large amounts with meals) is more helpful for managing chronic acidity.

Seek medical evaluation if acidity occurs more than twice a week (GERD), is accompanied by difficulty swallowing, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, persistent nausea, or doesn't respond to dietary changes. Chronic untreated reflux can cause oesophageal damage and Barrett's oesophagus.