Acid Indigestion in Adults

Seventeen million Americans suffer with heartburn daily, according to Discoveryhealth.com. Acid indigestion is synonymous with the term "heartburn," but despite the phrase, this condition actually has nothing to do with your heart. It is named as such due to the location of the burning sensation, often experienced by those who suffer from this condition.

Symptoms

Symptoms for acid indigestion are separated into two categories: mild to moderate and severe. Mild to moderate symptoms include: a burning sensation under the breastbone and gastro upset after you eat. Severe symptoms include: persistent gastro pain, mild symptoms that occur more than twice a week and heartburn that is still persistent after taking appropriate medications. In addition, people with acid indigestion tend to frequently belch, causing acid to reach the throat. This sometimes seeps into the mouth causing a bitter or sour taste.

Causes

After you swallow your food it goes down a pipe called an esophagus. The esophagus is roughly 10 inches long and leads right into the stomach. The barrier at the end of the tube and beginning of the stomach opens to let the food into the stomach, and closes to ensure the acids and the food stays inside. When this passage doesn't close back properly or is too relaxed in closing, the acid can reflux back up through the esophagus, causing the burning feeling associated with acid indigestion.

Prevention

Besides changing your diet and heartburn triggers, there are some things you can do to prevent acid indigestion. Small changes such as eating foods high in protein and low in fat, avoiding tight fitting clothes that put pressure on your abdomen, eating two to three hours before lying down and elevating your head six to nine inches when you go to bed may help.

Treatments

The first line of defense is usually with the use of OTC antacids. Antacids work by neutralizing the acids in the stomach, and can only be taken for a short while. Taking antacids too regularly can cause constipation and diarrhea. Several antacids are available over the counter, including Maloox and Milk of Magnesia. You can also take prescription medications for the treatment of acid indigestion, such as Tagament, Zanac and Pepcid.

Complications

Overeating can make heartburn worse, by putting pressure on your stomach causing the food and acid to reflux. According to pepcid.com, certain foods can make acid indigestion more prevalent as well, including orange juice, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, lemonade, lemons, tomatoes, onions (raw), marbled meat, poultry skin, sour cream, milk shake, cottage cheese, creamy cheeses, ice cream, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauce, liquor, caffeine, wine, rich sauces and gravies, fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint and sugary desserts. These foods may not be a trigger for everyone, so keeping a food journal and reactions afterward can help you identify your personal trigger.