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Causes and Treatment for Acid Indigestion
Acid indigestion is a condition in an individual where there is an excessive amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The presence of too much hydrochloric acid can eventually lead to the irritation or aggravation of the stomach lining leading to ulcers or aggravation of the duodenum that can also lead to ulcers. This condition is also very painful for some especially if ulcers have already developed due to frequent occurrence of excessive acid in the stomach.
Many people think that acid indigestion is heartburn but this is not the case. Whereas, acid indigestion occurs mainly in the stomach lining and the duodenum, heartburn occurs in the esophagus due to the rising of stomach acids. This does not mean however that the two are not related because many causes of this type of indigestion are somewhat similar to the causes of heartburn. In fact, this is one of the factors that cause heartburn.
Factors that Lead to Acid Indigestion
There are several factors that can lead to acid indigestion and these are highly similar to heartburn. One factor that can cause acid indigestion is eating too much fatty and spicy food. These two kinds of foods can trigger a bout of acid indigestion in many individuals. Actually many other foods can trigger this condition such as acidic foods like citrus foods on an empty stomach and such, according to many people, although many also refute this.
Researchers have extensively studied acid indigestion and have recommended not going hungry for an extended period of time. Our stomach actually manufactures acids to help in digesting the foods that we consume. Without anything (food) in the stomach, the acids will most likely eat the stomach lining. Wounds due to the burning of the stomach lining will turn into ulcers.
Excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol can also result to acid indigestion. Caffeine is one of the main causes of this condition due mainly to its acidic properties. Alcohol reacts differently with out stomach acids and aggravates them. Some forms of medication can also cause acid indigestion such as ibuprofen and aspirin, for some people.
Although some people interchange acid indigestion with heartburn the two are completely different conditions. Heartburn can be the result of acid indigestion. This is because too much acid in the stomach can swell up and cause heartburn. Heartburn is the case where parts of the esophagus are scalded or burned by the acid swelling or rising up.
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