Gastric acid, also known as stomach acid, is a colourless fluid that is produced by the stomach’s lining. This acidic fluid is used to break down food and make the digestion process easier for you. It also helps your body absorb the nutrients easily as and when food moves through your digestive tract. However, the stomach acid needs to be highly acidic to help break down the food. On the flip side, your stomach can handle only a certain level of gastric acid. If the level goes any lower or higher than the normal level, you will experience health concerns such as acid reflux. But thankfully, you can control gastric acid with a few lifestyle changes. Continue reading to know all about them.

1. Keep A Check On Your Diet: Diet is the primary factor you should consider when you experience gastric acid. There are many foods that increase the chances of gastric acid. Closely study the foods that you eat in a day that cause symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux. Try to opt for foods such as vegetables, ginger, oatmeal, and lean meat and seafood. You can also try a gluten-free diet.
2. Eat Smaller Meals: Smaller meals are not harsh and do not put pressure on the lower oesophagal sphincter. This is because larger meals fill your stomach, which ends up putting pressure on your lower oesophagal sphincter.
3. Lose Weight: If you have extra fat around your belly or are overweight, this could be one of the causes of gastric acid. The extra stomach fat puts pressure on your abdomen. This way, the gastric juices are pushed up into the oesophagus. The best solution is to exercise and lose the extra kilos around your stomach.
4. Don’t Lie Down Immediately After Having Your Meals: Experts say that you should wait at least 2-3 hours before you lie down after a stomach full meal. This is because when you lie down to take a nap soon after your meal, acid easily presses against the lower oesophagal sphincter. The result is that it flows into the oesophagus.
5. Cut Down On Smoking And Alcohol: Smoking can interfere with your saliva’s ability to clear the acid out of the oesophagus and alcohol can cause the oesophagal muscle to spasm. Avoid them both.

Stomach acid can cause abdominal discomfort, nausea, heartburn, diarrhoea and decreased appetite. If you are experiencing stomach acid, then it is high time you make these lifestyle changes. You will quickly notice a positive change in your condition.

SMILES Gastroenterology has an expert team of doctors on board that will offer you the best gastrocolic reflex treatment depending on your condition. It is one of the best hospitals in Bangalore that manages gastric acid with non-surgical treatment procedures. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of gastric acid, book an appointment with Smiles Gastroenterology Hospital today!