Acidity; also known as acid reflux is a condition characterised by burning pain in the chest or heartburn. It occurs when gastric acid goes up in the oesophagus or food pipe. It causes a burning sensation in the chest, belching, bitter or sour taste in the mouth, bloating, sore throat, dyspepsia, discomfort, etc.
Causes of Acidity:
There are various causative and maintaining causes for acidity. Some causes of acidity are the following:
- Poor and sedentary lifestyle
- Uncontrolled and irregular eating habits
- Eating at odd times
- Overeating
- Frequent skipping of meals
- Eating unhealthy food, oily food, spicy food, excessive citrus food, low dietary fibre intake, eating excess table salt, eating junk food, Excessive consumption of carbonated drinks, tea, coffee, alcohol, etc.
- Going to bed just after eating
- Irregular and unhealthy sleep patterns, sleeping late at night, Incomplete sleep
- Side-effects of certain medicines
- Stress and anxiety
- Certain disease conditions like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), Peptic ulcer, Chronic constipation, etc
- Smoking
Also read: 10 Reasons You Should Practice Yoga Everyday
Manage Acidity with Yoga and Yogic Lifestyle:
- Correct your lifestyle
- Eat frequent healthy meals
- Eat sativik homemade food
- Don’t overeat, chew your food properly
- Add seasonal organic fruits and vegetables to your daily diet
- Drink enough water
- Don’t go to bed with a full stomach, finish your meal a minimum 3 hours before going to the bed
- Take proper sleep and sleep on time
- Sleep on the left side
- If you are taking any medicines then consult your consulting doctor
- Have lukewarm water, banana, watermelon juice, jaggery, fennel powder with water, ajwain, mint leaves, buttermilk, increase dietary fibres, etc.
- Manage obesity
- Check carbonated drinks, tea and coffee consumption
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Use a pillow and raise your head while lying down
- Daily do yoga, meditation, pranayam, Yoga Nidra, Yogic Kriya and Mudra
- Yoga asans such as Vajrasan, Pavanmuktasan, Ushtrasan, Ardha Matsyendrasa, Paschimottanasan, etc.
- Yogic kriyas like vaman dhauti and kapalbhati, etc.
Final Words:
Acidity is a common condition and can be managed by making changes in lifestyle and through yoga. First, have a doctor consultation to know the exact condition, then you may treat acidity through yoga therapy from a certified and experienced yoga teacher as every individual has a different body constitution and disease condition and general yoga guidelines may not be appropriate for you.