Publisher's Synopsis
Acidity, often called acid reflux or heartburn, is a medical ailment where stomach acid is refluxed into the esophagus. A burning sensation in the mouth, throat, and chest may result from this incident. The main factor causing acidity is a weaker lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is the ring of muscles that divides the esophagus and stomach. Stomach acid can reflux into the esophagus when the LES is damaged, irritating and uncomfortable.
One major aspect contributing to acidity exacerbation is diet. Acid production can be triggered and the LES can be relaxed by foods heavy in fat, caffeine, alcohol, and spicy substances. A few other factors that contribute are smoking, obesity, and specific medical disorders. Prolonged stomach acidity can cause problems like ulcers, esophagitis, and even Barrett's esophagus, which is a precursor to cancer.
