Sometimes we experience symptoms of nausea and acid reflux even when we haven't eaten any acidic foods. Why does this happen? There are many reasons for excessive stomach acid and acid reflux. Let's take a detailed look at the causes of stomach acid and acid reflux.
【What Causes Stomach Acid and Acid Reflux】
1. Pathological acid reflux
Chronic gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, and other conditions can increase stomach acid production and cause acid reflux. Physiological acid reflux does not require special treatment; eliminating the triggering factors is usually enough to resolve the issue. In addition to identifying the underlying causes, pathological acid reflux can be treated with acid-suppressing medications such as calcium carbonate, Gastrodin, as well as traditional Chinese medicine remedies like Ubei Powder and Zuo Jin Jiu.
2. Improper diet
If our daily diet is improper and we consume excessive amounts of spicy, cold, sweet, salty, or hot foods, it can lead to increased stomach acid production. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to our diet and ensure it is balanced and suitable for our bodies.
Many people nowadays like to consume coarse grains for better health. Although coarse grains are good, they should not be consumed indiscriminately. Common coarse grains like potatoes and sweet potatoes contain a high amount of starch, sugar, and acidic substances, which can stimulate excessive stomach acid production and be detrimental to our health. Therefore, when consuming coarse grains, it is important to do so in moderation.
If we consume a large amount of hard-to-digest food, the sugars produced by fermentation in our gastrointestinal tract can also trigger the secretion of stomach acid.
3. Gastrointestinal disorders
Experts also tell us that if we have gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis, cholecystitis, or duodenal ulcers, it can lead to sudden increases in stomach acid.
4. Irregular lifestyle
When we are mentally stressed, excessively fatigued, in a bad mood, smoke heavily, undergo surgery, suffer from severe burns, or have bacterial infections, the dysfunction of the cerebral cortex can disrupt the nerves that regulate stomach acid secretion and cause an increase in stomach acid production. Excessive stomach acid can lead to chronic gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, etc. Certain medications that are harmful to the stomach, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. aspirin, indomethacin), nifedipine, and prednisone, can also increase stomach acid production.
【Dietary Guidelines for Stomach Acid】
1. Consume low-fat and low-sugar foods, as high-fat and sweet foods can increase stomach acid production. Avoid consuming condiments that can stimulate increased stomach acid production, such as chili peppers, coffee, and mustard.
2. Maintain a regular eating schedule and try to eat smaller meals more frequently, avoiding situations where we become so hungry that our stomachs hurt. If we feel hungry or uncomfortable, we can eat some snacks first.
3. If there is excessive stomach acid, consume more starchy foods as they can dilute stomach acid and the alkaline content can neutralize stomach acid. Milk, soy milk, porridge, etc., can dilute stomach acid and protect the gastric mucosa.
4. When there is excessive stomach acid, consume alkaline-containing foods such as dairy products, blood, soy sauce, fresh vegetables like spinach, rapeseed, and cabbage, as well as fruits. Consume fewer acidic foods such as legumes, peanuts, vinegar, and fatty foods.
5. Eat meals at regular times and avoid excessive snacking, as snacks can stimulate increased stomach acid production. Avoid overeating to prevent excessive stomach acid production. The diet should consist of easily digestible foods, and meat should be fully cooked while vegetables should not be undercooked.
6. Avoid consuming very cold or hot foods and drinks. The temperature of the diet should be moderate, and tea, water, and soup should not be too hot. Avoid consuming excessive amounts of spices, spicy or salty foods. The diet should be light rather than heavy, as a heavy diet can stimulate stomach acid secretion.
【Chinese Medicine Treatment for Excessive Stomach Acid】
1. 3g Fructus Evodiae, 3g Coptis Rhizome, 9g Scolopendra, 9g Talcum, 9g Calcined Gypsum, decocted in water and taken twice a day, morning and evening.
Effect: This formula is effective in soothing the liver and stomach, warming the middle, resolving dampness, and dispersing stagnation to relieve pain.
2. 6g Massa Fermentata Medicinalis, 6g Magnolia Officinalis, 5g Tangerine Peel, 2g Coptis Rhizome, 3g Aurantium Fructus, 9g Poria Cocos, 6g Cyperus Rotundus, 12g Dioscorea Opposita, 1.5g Gentiana Scabra, 3g Licorice Root, decocted in water and taken twice a day, morning and evening.
Effect: This formula has the effect of suppressing acid reflux and relieving stomach discomfort. Taking five crushed Sichuan peppercorns with warm water, followed by 20 peanuts, can provide immediate relief. If there is difficulty digesting hard-to-digest foods such as beef, taking 5-8 crushed Sichuan peppercorns and swallowing them, followed by 20 peanuts, can provide immediate relief.
Note: Do not eat watermelon, as it is cooling and should not be consumed. Do not eat bananas, especially on an empty stomach, as they are also cooling and can cause stomach acid and discomfort. Do not eat sour plums and other sour foods.
3. 9g Codonopsis Pilosula, 9g Poria Cocos, 6g Tangerine Peel, 6g Pinellia Ternata, 6g Atractylodes Macrocephala, 6g Amomum Cardamomum, 6g Cyperus Rotundus, 3g Paeonia Lactiflora, 3g Baked Licorice Root, decocted in water and taken twice a day, morning and evening. This can be taken regularly and has remarkable effects.
