Increased stomach acidity

Proper digestion of food is the key to good health of the body as a whole. For the normal digestion process, gastric secretion, acidity and composition of gastric juice play a fundamental role. Often, some people experience increased acid production in the stomach, which can manifest itself in the form of heartburn, epigastric pain, "sour" belching. Increased acidity of the stomach: what do you need to know about this phenomenon? In this article, we will try to answer as much as possible all the questions that arise regarding increased acidity in the stomach.

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Epidemiology

Increased stomach acidity is most often diagnosed in young patients, and the disease is detected in men twice as often as in women.

The incidence rate increases in autumn and winter, as well as in adolescence and pregnancy. Increased acidity is rarely detected in elderly people: inflammatory lesions of the gastric mucosa with a reduced content of hydrochloric acid are more typical for this age.

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Causes gastric acidity

What are the reasons for increased acidity in the stomach? There can be many, and most often doctors diagnose several reasons at the same time. Let's list the most common ones:

• history of acute gastritis;
• previously diagnosed peptic ulcer;
• diaphragmatic hernia;
• gastroesophageal reflux;
• liver disease;
• pancreatitis;
• damage to the gastric mucosa (for example, burns or inflammation);
• acute and chronic food poisoning;
• the presence of microorganisms inside the stomach that provoke the development of gastritis - Helicobacter;
• allergic lesions of the gastric mucosa;
• disorders of the endocrine system;
• cardiovascular diseases, rheumatism;
• Oncology of the digestive tract.

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Risk factors

As with any other disease, its occurrence is caused by cases associated with certain risk factors. Thus, if at least one of the listed factors is present, the risk of increased stomach acidity increases significantly.

You should be especially careful about your stomach health if you:

• you eat unhealthily, often eat dry food, on the run;
• you drink too much coffee (especially instant coffee), strong tea, alcoholic drinks, and soda;
• smoke;
• often overeat;
• periodically take medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal contraceptives or antibiotics;
• you don't take enough vitamins;
• you are often exposed to stress.

In addition, those who have a family history of stomach problems are more at risk of increased acidity. So, if your immediate relatives suffer from stomach diseases, then you are also at risk.

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Pathogenesis

The acidity of the stomach environment depends on the level of hydrochloric acid in its secretion, which is measured by the pH indicator. The norm is considered to be 1.5-2 pH on an empty stomach, and directly on the mucous membrane it can be slightly higher - about 2 pH, and deeper in the epithelial layer - even up to 7 pH.

Hydrochloric acid is secreted by the fundic glands of the mucous tissues, which are localized in sufficient quantities in the area of the bottom and body of the stomach.

Excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid with an increase in the acidity index may be a consequence of an increase in the number of glandular structures, or a disorder in the synthesis of alkaline components of gastric juice.

Since for normal secretion of the fundic glands the acid must be released synchronously, any disruption of this process can provoke an increase in acidity.

Increased acidity, in turn, gives rise to painful changes in the surface of the mucous tissue in the stomach, which leads to the development of various diseases of the stomach, duodenum, and pancreas.

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Symptoms gastric acidity

Increased acidity of the stomach leads to irritation of the mucous membrane, which manifests itself in a series of characteristic symptoms.

The main symptom of increased acidity is heartburn, which can occur without reason - at night, in the morning on an empty stomach, but most often its appearance is associated with the consumption of food, such as baked goods, sweets, fried foods. Heartburn can be mild or painful and difficult to overcome.

In addition to heartburn, other early signs of increased acidity may appear:

• a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the stomach;
• discomfort;
• belching "sour";
• constipation (regular or occasional);
• sometimes - bloating, digestive disorders;
• general malaise, decreased performance;
• loss of appetite;
• irritability, bad mood.

The severity of symptoms depends on how long a person has had high acidity, as well as the presence of concomitant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Cough from increased stomach acidity

Cough is considered one of the signs of respiratory diseases, but it can also occur with diseases of the digestive organs. In this case, cough is an additional sign against the background of other symptoms of stomach damage.

With increased stomach acidity, the cough can be constant, even painful, and not eliminated by conventional cough suppressants. The reason for this phenomenon is irritation of the respiratory system mucosa by acid, along with similar irritation of the stomach and esophagus.

As esophagitis develops, the closure of the gastric sphincters deteriorates, which allows food particles and acidic secretions to get back into the cavity of the esophageal tube. The mucous membrane of the esophagus becomes irritated, followed by irritation of the throat, which triggers the cough reflex.

As a rule, after the problem with high acidity is solved, the cough disappears.

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Increased stomach acidity in children

In childhood, increased stomach acidity is not uncommon. The causes of the disease at such an early age can be:

• addiction to “bad food” (chips, crackers, snacks, etc.);
• frequent consumption of carbonated drinks (Coca-Cola, Pepsi, etc.);
• eating on the run, passion for fast food;
• stress and mental tension;
• lack of a power supply.
• Signs of increased acidity in children are almost the same as in adults:
• sour belching;
• digestive disorders (constipation may alternate with diarrhea);
• heartburn;
• periodic unexplained fever of about 37°C.

With timely treatment, as well as adherence to the diet and exercise regimen, it is possible to prevent the development of more complex stomach diseases. The main thing is to stabilize acidity in time before pathological changes in the mucous membrane begin.

Increased stomach acidity during pregnancy

Discomfort and digestive problems during pregnancy happen to almost every woman. The main reason for this phenomenon can be considered the compression of internal organs by the growing uterus (especially in the third trimester). The following symptoms may occur during pregnancy:

• heartburn (regardless of food intake or after it);
• nausea;
• heaviness in the stomach, even after eating a small amount of food;
• difficulty swallowing;
• a feeling of general discomfort;
• acid burp.

During pregnancy, the doctor is unlikely to resort to complex treatment. Most often, he prescribes adherence to the daily routine and diet. If you eat properly and in small amounts during pregnancy, then after childbirth the condition usually normalizes and acidity returns to normal.

Complications and consequences

Increased acidity is an intermediate condition that does not always mean the presence of a digestive system disease. That is, if you carefully follow the doctor's recommendations regarding nutrition and lifestyle, then increased stomach acidity can soon normalize without any complications.

If you ignore the doctor’s orders and do not follow the diet, the problem may change for the worse.

The most common consequences of increased stomach acidity are:

• chronic gastritis;
• gastric ulcer;
• duodenal ulcer;
• chronic esophagitis.

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Diagnostics gastric acidity

One of the most informative methods for diagnosing increased acidity is the procedure of intragastric pH-metry. This procedure causes less discomfort than gastric probing and allows you to assess the degree of acidity of the secretion directly inside the stomach. For this, special sensors are installed - acidogastrometers.

Measuring acidity using the pH-metry method takes no more than 5 minutes. During this time, readings are taken from several areas of the stomach cavity and duodenum. If there is a need to monitor acidity readings at different times of the day, the procedure is then carried out longer than usual, up to a day.

Blood and urine tests may be additionally prescribed to rule out the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.

Instrumental diagnostics may include:

• gastroduodenoscopy;
• Ultrasound of internal organs;
• X-ray examination (often with contrast).

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics are carried out with other diseases of the digestive system. For example, symptoms of increased acidity can manifest such pathologies as gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis, duodenitis, chronic pancreatitis. So-called functional dyspepsia can also occur with increased acidity - a disorder associated with functional problems of the digestive system. Functional dyspepsia is temporary and passes after the stomach stabilizes.

Treatment gastric acidity

Acidity can be reduced with the help of special medications. Symptomatically, discomfort from increased acidity can be relieved by taking a Rennie, Secrepat Forte, Gastal, Altacid or Adjiflux suspension. If you approach the problem globally, you need to undergo treatment aimed at eliminating the cause of excess acid in the stomach. First, you need to undergo diagnostics and determine concomitant diseases of the digestive tract. If the doctor detects gastritis, he can prescribe antibiotic therapy aimed at destroying the Helicobacter bacteria in the stomach. The drug De-Nol, based on bismuth, is perfect for this purpose.

Other drugs that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid are divided into two groups

• drugs that block histamine receptors (Quamatel, Ranitidine);
• drugs that inhibit the synthesis of hydrochloric acid (Omeprazole, Omez, Contraloc).

Additionally, medications that protect the stomach walls from irritation, such as Almagel and Maalox, may be prescribed.

Such drugs as Hilak forte or Pancreatin are not used for increased acidity. Hilak forte can be prescribed for gastrointestinal disorders that are accompanied by diarrhea and indigestion. If there is insufficient exocrine function of the pancreas, then in this case it is appropriate to prescribe enzyme preparations (Pancreatin), provided that the patient does not have acute pancreatitis.

• Almagel is taken orally 1-3 measuring spoons up to 4 times a day, 30 minutes before meals and at night. It is not advisable to take the drug during pregnancy. If you take high doses of Almagel, drowsiness and constipation may occur.
• Omez in capsule form is taken orally as a whole, 20 mg daily for several days to 2 weeks. It is advisable to take the drug in the morning on an empty stomach. Occasionally, after taking Omez, abdominal pain, dry mouth and muscle weakness are possible.
• Omeprazole is taken in the morning before breakfast, in the amount of 0.02 g. Usually the drug is well tolerated, only occasionally there may be taste disturbances, abdominal pain, joint and muscle pain.
• De Nol in tablet form is taken half an hour before meals, 1 tablet up to 4 times a day. It is possible to take 2 tablets twice a day. De Nol is not prescribed during pregnancy. Sometimes taking the drug can be accompanied by frequent stools, nausea or allergic reactions.

Vitamins

If you have increased acidity, you should pay attention to vitamins such as niacin, folic acid, retinol, and vitamins B¹ and B².

Retinol (vitamin A) accelerates the regeneration of the mucous membrane and helps resist infectious processes.

Nicotinic acid improves blood circulation in the stomach area, helps eliminate inflammation, and normalizes the composition of gastric juice.

B vitamins are involved in all metabolic processes in the body.

Folic acid protects the gastric mucosa from irritating factors and serves as a good preventative for gastroenteritis.

Separately, it is necessary to mention such a vitamin as S-methylmethionine – also known as vitamin U. This drug is often prescribed for various digestive problems, because it has a pronounced antiulcer effect, helping to maintain the integrity of the mucous tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin U can be taken in tablets, 0.1 three times a day, or in its natural form: the vitamin is contained in white cabbage juice.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy is successfully used for additional therapeutic effects in cases of increased stomach acidity.

To relieve pain, electrophoresis with novocaine, platyphylline, as well as applications of paraffin, ozokerite, and therapeutic mud are used.

To normalize the activity of the glands, sinusoidal simulated currents and electromagnetic decimeter waves are prescribed.

At the stage of remission, sanatorium and resort treatment is recommended. Hydrocarbonate mineral waters are recommended between meals (Borjomi, Mirgorod, Essentuki, Zheleznovodsk). It is advisable to drink water at room temperature or warm, non-carbonated.

Folk remedies

In addition to medication, folk medicine recipes can be used for high acidity. For example, honey has long been considered a simple and natural remedy for excess stomach acid. Its medicinal properties are known to everyone. It will help with both increased acidity and digestive disorders. And it is recommended to use it as follows:

• mix a small amount of honey into food (honey goes well with dairy products and cereals);
• add a spoonful of honey to tea (it is desirable that the drink has a temperature of no more than +45°C);
• Honey should be consumed three times a day, daily, for 1.5-2 months.

From additional folk medicine we can recommend the following recipes:

• drink freshly squeezed carrot juice on an empty stomach (preferably in the morning);
• Before each meal, drink 40-50 ml of juice squeezed from a raw potato;
• eat pumpkin pulp in different ways (boiled, baked).

Many people recommend drinking a soda solution to eliminate the symptoms of increased acidity. Let's be honest - this method only works at first, and then the process gets worse. After all, soda irritates the gastric mucosa no less than acid. As a result of such treatment, a stomach ulcer and chronic gastritis may develop.

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Herbal treatment

In addition to the above methods for normalizing stomach acidity, there are other methods using medicinal plants. For example, to normalize digestion against the background of increased acidity, it is recommended to use infusions based on herbs such as coltsfoot, dandelion, calendula, plantain, chamomile, etc.

Herbal collection will undoubtedly have a more pronounced effect than monotherapy. For example, many successfully use the following recipes to reduce acidity:

• a mixture of St. John's wort, plantain leaves and chamomile flowers (5 g each) is poured with 250 ml of boiling water, infused and taken a quarter of a glass before meals;
• mix 100 ml of cranberry juice and the same amount of aloe juice, add 200 ml of hot boiled water, season with a spoon of honey. If you take this medicine daily, three times a day, 25 ml, then you can forget about heartburn and sour belching for a long time
• 100 g of an equal mixture of St. John's wort, yarrow and mint leaves are poured with 0.5 l of boiling water, infused in a thermos for about 6 hours, filtered. Drink 100 ml in the morning.

There are quite a large number of medicinal plants that help with increased acidity. Such plants can be brewed separately and drunk as tea, or used in medicinal mixtures.

• Wormwood – stabilizes and stimulates the work of the glandular apparatus of the stomach, increases the secretion of bile, improves all stages of the digestive process. Has a slight anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and fungicidal effect.
• Flaxseed – has an enveloping effect, as it contains a large amount of mucus and a specific substance linamarin. Regular intake of seeds helps eliminate inflammation, stomach pain, and also restores mucous tissues damaged by acid.
• Chaga (birch mushroom) is an antimicrobial agent that has been used for a long time to treat and prevent gastritis, stomach ulcers, and cancerous tumors. Chaga is famous for its anti-inflammatory, choleretic, healing, and general strengthening effects on the body.
• Golden mustache - this plant contains substances that, in case of increased stomach acidity, neutralize the aggressive effect of acidic secretion, and in case of decreased acidity, replenish the missing acid.
• Chamomile is a good remedy for gastritis associated with high acidity. It is especially useful to drink an infusion in which chamomile is combined with St. John's wort or yarrow.
• Propolis – cures inflammation of the mucous membrane, eliminates spasms of smooth muscles, relieves symptoms of heartburn and sour belching. Propolis can help even in cases when ulcers and erosions begin to form on the irritated gastric mucosa.
• St. John's wort - is used in medicinal mixtures, as it has a pronounced astringent and bactericidal effect. In addition, St. John's wort can stop diarrhea and remove toxic substances in case of mild food poisoning.
• Aloe - the juice of this plant is usually used in combination with honey. Firstly, it significantly enhances the effect of treatment, and secondly, it smooths out the bitter and unpleasant taste of the aloe. To treat high acidity, it is better to use juice from the leaves of a 3-5 year old plant - its properties are most valuable.
• Mint is included in gastric infusions, since the properties of this plant - calming, antispasmodic, bactericidal, choleretic, analgesic, astringent - help to improve digestion and restore the function of the secretory glands.
• Calendula is a plant with high pharmacological activity, which is used to treat many diseases, including those of the digestive organs. The plant's astringent, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic properties allow it to be used for increased acidity associated with gastritis or functional digestive disorders.
• The herb immortelle has an anti-inflammatory, astringent, antibacterial effect. Medicines based on the plant are used to treat peptic ulcers, since immortelle not only normalizes the pH of the gastric environment, but also has a reparative effect.

Plants such as ginger, rose hips and plantain are not used for high acidity, as they contain substances that aggravate irritation of the gastric mucosa.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies can help cope with the feeling of burning and pain in the stomach, with unpleasant belching and heartburn. Specialists allow the use of the following drugs for increased acidity:

• Potassium bichromicum 3, 6 – stabilizes acidity levels, eliminates stomach pain;
• Hydrastis 6, 30 – effective for acidity associated with peptic ulcer disease;
• Calcarea carbonica (calcium carbonate obtained from oysters) 3, 6, 12, 30 – helps to eliminate flatulence and stomach pain. Take 8 drops of the drug up to 4 times a day;
• Acidum sulphuricum 6, 30 – will help with acid belching, with a burning sensation in the esophagus and stomach;
• Sodium phosphoricum 6 stabilizes acidity when taken as powder 2-3 times a day;
• Argentum nitricum (lapis) 3, 6 – helps with stomach pain and unstable acidity.

The listed products have no contraindications, very rarely cause allergic reactions and can be used as an additional treatment while taking medications.

Surgical treatment

Since increased stomach acidity is not yet a disease, but only a symptom of incipient problems, surgery is not indicated for this condition.

Surgical treatment may be prescribed if increased acidity occurs against the background of:

• perforated ulcer;
• esophageal stricture;
• internal bleeding;
• Barrett's esophagus;
• hemorrhagic esophagitis;
• profuse ulceration of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

In addition, surgical intervention is resorted to in cases where conventional treatment does not have a positive effect.

Diet for high stomach acidity

With increased acidity, following a diet is a prerequisite for recovery. Often, it is proper nutrition that allows you to get rid of the problem without using medications.

The following should be excluded from the diet:

• strong broth;
• mushrooms;
• alcoholic beverages (including low-alcohol drinks);
• spicy, fatty, salty, smoked, fried foods;
• any baked goods;
• citrus fruits;
• strong coffee and tea;
• soda;
• flavorings (spices, sauces, vinegar, mustard);
• radish, onion and garlic;
• canned goods, marinades;
• sour fruits and berries.

The menu should consist mainly of vegetable, cereal dishes, weak broths based on low-fat meats or fish. You can eat eggs, dairy products, vermicelli, crackers, potatoes.

Nutrition for increased stomach acidity should be balanced in terms of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Any products that can provoke irritation of the stomach walls and reflex increase in acid secretion are prohibited.

Dishes are cooked in a steamer, boiled, stewed. Fatty, coarse-fibered products that are difficult for the stomach to digest are excluded.

The optimal number of meals per day is 6 times.

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Menu for increased stomach acidity

An approximate composition of the daily menu for increased acidity may be as follows:

• For Monday:
  • We have milk semolina porridge with honey for breakfast.
  • We snack on tea with milk and steamed cheesecake.
  • We have lunch with creamy chicken breast soup, boiled rice, and vegetable salad.
  • For an afternoon snack, you can drink a cup of milk.
  • We have dinner with vegetable stew, cottage cheese casserole and tea.
• For Tuesday:
  • We have oatmeal and a boiled egg for breakfast.
  • We snack on milk mousse with a crouton.
  • We have lunch with vegetable soup and baked apples with cottage cheese.
  • For an afternoon snack, have chamomile tea.
  • We have boiled veal with mashed potatoes for dinner.
• For Wednesday:
  • We have pasta with cottage cheese for breakfast.
  • We snack on oatmeal jelly.
  • We have lunch with carrot cream soup, boiled fish fillet, and salad.
  • For an afternoon snack – a cup of kefir with a crouton.
  • We have meat pate and vegetable puree for dinner.
• For Thursday:
  • We have rice casserole for breakfast.
  • We snack on baked apple and carrot.
  • We have rice soup and potato cutlets for lunch.
  • Afternoon snack: cottage cheese and sour cream.
  • We have pasta with meat for dinner.
• For Friday:
  • We have a steamed omelette for breakfast.
  • We snack on biscuits and compote.
  • We have bean soup and rice with vegetables for lunch.
  • Milk for an afternoon snack.
  • We have stewed fish with carrots and onions for dinner.
• For Saturday:
  • We have cottage cheese with milk for breakfast.
  • We snack on milk tea with a rusk.
  • We have lunch with vegetable soup, carrot cutlets and steamed chops.
  • Afternoon snack: cottage cheese pancake with tea.
  • We're having fish baked with potatoes for dinner.
• For Sunday:
  • We have rice casserole with sour cream for breakfast.
  • We snack on baked pear.
  • We have buckwheat soup and stewed meat with vegetables for lunch.
  • For an afternoon snack – a banana.
  • We have vareniki with cottage cheese and sour cream for dinner.

Mineral water for increased stomach acidity

In case of increased acidity, it is recommended to drink a course of mineral waters - medicinal, alkaline. When buying mineral water, you should give preference to well-known brands, so as not to aggravate the situation by drinking a surrogate.

Mineral waters have different levels of mineralization (salt content). With low mineralization, water is well absorbed. The higher the salt content, the harder it is to absorb water, but in this case it can have a pronounced laxative effect. With increased acidity, highly mineralized waters should be avoided so as not to provoke excessive irritation of the stomach.

• Borjomi is a table mineral water of sodium hydrocarbonate composition. Borjomi is useful for metabolic disorders, gastritis, peptic ulcer, enterocolitis.
• Essentuki is a group of chloride-hydrocarbonate-sodium waters. The group is represented by the following varieties of healing drinks:
  • No. 17 – water with a high level of mineralization, which is used mainly for the treatment of liver diseases;
  • No. 4 – medicinal table water, can be used for high acidity;
  • No. 2 – medicinal table water, increases appetite;
  • No. 20 – low-mineralized water, can be used for treatment and prevention of increased acidity.

When acidity increases, mineral waters are consumed warm, one and a half to two hours before meals, 200-250 ml, three times a day.

Allowed foods for high stomach acidity

• Honey - if you have high acidity, it is consumed only warm, since when combined with cold water it can have the opposite effect.
• Dairy products - if you have high acidity, eat non-acidic foods such as milk, non-acidic sour cream, cottage cheese, cream, yogurt, and butter.
• Cottage cheese – non-acidic, in the form of cheesecakes, casseroles, puddings.
• Milk – only fresh, preferably homemade, can be in the form of porridge, milk soups, jelly.
• Yogurt is non-acidic, natural, without additives such as stabilizers, colorants or preservatives.
• Fruits - non-acidic varieties, preferably baked or in the form of compotes and jelly.
• Teas - weak, you can add chamomile, St. John's wort, mint.
• Apples – non-acidic varieties, ripe, preferably baked or boiled.
• Persimmon - in small quantities, preferably without peel. You can easily add persimmon pulp to jelly, compotes, and kissels.
• Potato juice is a very useful product for increased acidity, as it contains almost the entire range of B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin U and other useful substances. Potato juice can relieve inflammation, irritation and speed up the healing of ulcers and erosions. Take freshly squeezed juice on an empty stomach, 1 spoon, regularly, until the condition improves.
• Salt – with increased acidity, it is allowed for consumption, but is limited to approximately 3 g/day.
• Kissel - cooked on non-acidic fruits, has an enveloping effect, which allows you to quickly achieve relief from gastritis. Oatmeal and milk kissels are especially useful.
• Carrots are another vegetable that is especially useful for high acidity. The beneficial properties are explained by the presence of vitamin A in carrots, which has healing and reparative properties.
• Bananas are a unique product that can stabilize the acidity of the gastric environment, so they can be used for increased acidity with virtually no restrictions.
• Pumpkin is a very useful product for high acidity. Both the juice and the pulp of the product are equally useful, containing resinous substances, B vitamins, and oils. Pumpkin improves digestion and helps normalize the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Beetroot – can reduce acidity to normal levels in a short time. You can eat a salad of young fresh beetroot, stewed and boiled beetroot, as well as fresh beetroot juice.
• Blueberries are a non-acidic berry that improves the composition of intestinal flora, protects the mucous membrane from irritants, reduces secretion, and reduces the severity of pain and inflammation. The main condition for people with high acidity when consuming blueberries is not to overuse them.
• Sauerkraut – despite the presence of acid in it, can be used for gastritis with high acidity in moderate quantities.
• Oats are actively used for gastritis with excess acidity, as they have enveloping, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties.

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Prohibited foods for high stomach acidity

• Kefir is considered an undesirable product when acidity increases, since it itself contains a large amount of acid, which can increase irritation of the mucous membrane. Homemade fresh and non-acidic kefir (yogurt) can be consumed only at the stage of persistent relief of symptoms.
• Ryazhenka – see above – is not recommended for increased acidity along with other fermented milk products.
• Lemon - contains a large amount of acids, including citric and ascorbic acids. This allows you to actively use lemon in food with low acidity in the stomach.
• Coffee – this strong drink stimulates the secretion of digestive juice, increases the vulnerability of receptors. If there is excess acid in the stomach, drinking coffee is not advisable. If you cannot imagine the morning without a fragrant cup – give preference to ground natural product, and not granulated and instant drink.
• Wine – increases the sensitivity of the gastric mucosa to acid and aggravates heartburn.
• Berries - almost all, with rare exceptions, increase gastric secretion. Non-acidic berries do not have this property, but they are allowed to be consumed in small quantities and not on an empty stomach.
• Cranberry - is actively used to increase acidity in patients with insufficient production of digestive enzymes. If the gastric environment is excessively acidic, then cranberry is not recommended.
• Chicory - most experts do not prohibit drinking this drink with high acidity, but in moderate quantities and after meals.
• Bread, like any yeast baked goods, increases the acidity in the stomach. Therefore, with an increased level of acid, bread is consumed only not fresh, dried, in the form of toasts or crackers. Of the baked goods, it is also permissible to consume biscuits in small quantities.

Prevention

Important points in the prevention of increased stomach acidity are:

• adherence to diet;
• consumption of dietary products;
• giving up bad habits – smoking and alcohol abuse.

It is necessary to avoid foods that are harmful to the stomach and observe hygiene rules when preparing meals.

In addition, it is necessary to protect the nervous system from the negative impact of stress. It is important to learn to manage your emotions, to resist psycho-emotional and depressive states.

If you periodically experience stomach problems, you should definitely visit a gastroenterologist for regular examinations.

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Forecast

In the vast majority of cases, increased stomach acidity is easily corrected: normal secretion is restored relatively quickly. However, the problem can return just as quickly if the patient “forgets” about the principles of healthy eating and lifestyle. If you follow all the recommendations for proper nutrition, do not abuse alcohol and do not smoke, this will help to maintain high-quality and healthy digestion and excellent well-being for many years.

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