What Causes Too Much Stomach Acid?

Internal layers of the stomach produce a hormone termed as gastrin. This hormone stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid. Acidity of the stomach is important to prevent bacterial growth, as food resides in the stomach before it is digested and hence, serves as a good medium for bacterial growth. Acid produced in the stomach is also important for digestion, as it breaks down very complex molecules.

Despite the above benefits of acid production in the stomach, it is unbearable if the acid production extends beyond the limits. The burning sensation is due to the action of the acid on the internal layers of the stomach. The following are some of the causes that are responsible for increased acid production in the stomach.

• Diet, increased consumption of spicy foods and oily foods increases the extent of acid production.

• If you consume foods that are very rich in fiber content, it takes a long time for the food to pass through the stomach. As a result, the acid production continues until the stomach is emptied, resulting in increased amount of acid in the stomach.

• Stomach ulcer or cancers that increase the production of gastrin automatically increase the acid production.

• Stress is the major cause for a great number of ailments in the body. It is found that individuals who are severely stressed produce increased amounts of acid in the stomach.

• Bacterial infection by the bacterium H. pylori is also found to increase the acid production.

• Irregular meals like not having meals regularly at a particular time. Existence of a long gap between meals results in accumulation of the secreted acid in the stomach.

• In some people, lack of sufficient sleep also increases the acid production.

In majority of the cases, increased acid production is mainly due to dietary habits. To know if foods are responsible for increased acidity, cultivate the habit of noting down the foods you have taken and the time you have developed acidity. Correlation of both the details shows the presence of any existing relation between foods consumed and the cause of increased stomach acid. If having certain foods is repeatedly associated with acidity, quit the food to obtain relief from the problem.

If the daily routine is keeping you busy and preventing you from having timely meals, try to nibble something in the middle. This helps to keep the acid levels in the stomach under control.

In some cases, if the acidity is due to infection and if you have mistaken the acidity induced by foods and reduce the consumption of acid producing foods, it will only worsen the condition. As reduced acidity promotes bacterial growth and worsens the condition. Hence, before you start any treatment, even controlling the dietary habits, it is highly recommended to consult a physician and get yourself tested for the condition of increased stomach acidity. If the acid levels are not brought under control with the simple alteration of dietary measures, your physician may recommend antacids.

In most of the cases, positive results can be obtained without drug intervention, by controlling the dietary habits, having sufficient sleep and leading a stress free lifestyle.

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  1. I have often felt that a lack of sleep tends to make my problems worse. But until now have found no medical explanation stating this could be a contributor. Now I feel hope for my problem and I am going to try to get more rest. Thank you for your honesty. I have often felt like other sites just want to sell their latest greatest pill but now I feel reassured it can be corrected by a good lifestyle.

  2. Like the other readers, I feel that lack of sleep and irregular eating has greatly exacerbated my acid problem. If I'm up until 4 am I can literally feel the sickness coming on around 3 am and I wake up with that awful feeling. Since getting laid off, my eating and sleeping patterns have gone to the dogs. It's all starting to make sense now! Thanks for the information.

  3. The article is definitely very informative. It gives enough hints for controlling this ailment which is very common now-a-days.

    However I am looking for specific names of food items which cause acidity.

  4. "If you consume foods that are very rich in fiber content, it takes a long time for the food to pass through the stomach". This statement is incorrect, as it is well known that food rich in fiber content, both soluble and non-soluble, increases the speed at which food passes through the stomach and intestines.

  5. This information helps me a lot because l do have a problem of nauseas and l was told by a doctor that l have too much acid in my stomach, he mentioned some of the cause of it being stress, too much spices. Thanks a lot for this info!

  6. Am sure what am feeling is caused by stress, due to this, am going to live a stress free life as this pain in my stomach doesn't give me peace of mind. Thanks!

  7. Thank-you! I have finally found an answer to my extra acid problem. I have been eating very healthy and having GURD, I didn't know fiber was causing more acid. My Doc. didn't even tell me this. He told me to take more Prilosec. Thank-you again.

  8. Thanks! This article was very helpful. I didn't know that acid was the result of so many different things. Good to know.

  9. I would like to have read about long term consequences of too much stomach acid. My doctor told me I have LPR but has done nothing and said nothing further. I would love the opportunity to talk to someone who specializes in LPR.

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