Why Do I Keep Getting Recurring Indigestion or Acidity?

Indigestion and acidity are things that many of us deal with, but if they happen frequently and not occasionally they can impact your quality of life. If you are reaching for antacids, or feel bloated and uncomfortable with every meal you are probably experiencing repetitive indigestion & acidity and  may be wondering what the problem is.

Identifying recurring indigestion and acidity triggers is an important step to finding relief from the bad symptoms you are experiencing but more importantly also any underlying issues that could worsen with time. 

Common Recurring Indigestion and Acidity Causes

Let’s explore the top reasons behind recurring indigestion and acidity:

1. Poor Eating Habits

The usual suspect is poor food choices and inconsistent eating times. Eating too quickly, overeating, skipping meals, and eating greasy, spicy, or processed foods can all lead to indigestion. 

Recurring indigestion and acidity causes often include:

• Late-night dinners
• Excess caffeine or carbonated drinks
• Lack of fiber in the diet
• High intake of sugar and refined carbs

2. Stress and Anxiety

Stress impacts not only your mind, and mental health, but also your gut. While you are stressed, your body produces higher levels of acid which can lead to greater acidity. With excess acidity equals excess gas, a sluggish gut, bloating, and gas. 

If you have found that you have symptoms at their worst during times of emotional stress, this could be a strong link between your recurring indigestion and varying levels of acidity.

3. Eating Habits and Posture

Lying down after you eat or not sitting upright while eating can lead to increased chances of acid reflux and your indigestion. Eating in a hurry or distracted while you're eating can also result in inadequate and poor chewing, and digestive process. 

It is important to be mindful of your posture while you eat, and after you eat so you can eliminate the culprit of recurring disruptions with indigestion and acidity.

4. Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking leads to decreased saliva production, and reduces the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which can allow acidity to escape the stomach. Similarly, alcohol irritates the stomach lining and promotes acid production which leads to recurring indigestion and acidity.

5. Obesity and Lack of Physical Activity

Excess weight increases the pressure on the abdomen, which forces stomach acid into the esophagus. Laziness also makes it harder for the stomach to digest food and increases your bloating. Taking care of your weight is an important factor to minimize your indigestion and acidity. 

6. Medications

Many medications can irritate the stomach lining, or promote the production of acid. Examples include painkillers (NSAIDs), antibiotics, or iron supplements. If you have symptoms after taking new medications, be sure to speak to your doctor. 

7. Underlying Medical Conditions

Sometimes, the recurring indigestion and acidity causes are linked to deeper health problems, such as:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Peptic ulcers
• Gallstones
• H. pylori infection
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Hiatal hernia

These conditions may require medical diagnosis and treatment, not just lifestyle changes or OTC medication.

When to See a Doctor

If you have symptoms other than twice a week or your symptoms affect your daily life, or if the symptoms are not improving from a change in diet, you may want to see a specialist. Symptoms that return referred to a doctor when you aren't eating a lot or using any medication can become worse and create complications that can lead to esophageal damage or nutritional deficiency. 

Seek immediate help if you experience:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent vomiting
• Blood in vomit or stools
• Severe chest pain

Preventive Tips for Managing Recurring Indigestion and Acidity

You can make simple changes to reduce or even eliminate recurring indigestion and acidity causes:

• Eat small, frequent meals
• Avoid trigger foods (spicy, fatty, acidic)
• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and smoking
• Don’t lie down immediately after meals
• Practice stress-relief techniques like yoga or meditation
• Stay active and maintain a healthy weight
• Drink plenty of water
• Get regular sleep and avoid eating close to bedtime

Although some degree of acidity is normal, repeated symptoms of indigestion and acidity should not be ignored. Symptoms may be indications that your lifestyle could be a problem, or that you have a medical occurrence that you can't observe. Knowing what is leading to symptoms is the first experience to a longer lasting relief. 

Is this the point where you want more than a temporary fix as a solution - real reality?? Your answer to this could be one phone call. The team of experienced gastro specialists at GEM Hospital assists individuals to diagnose their low GI tract symptoms, supports individuals to correct separate symptoms with focused tool kits and assigns individuals to a specific treatment plan.  

Make an appointment  with GEM Hospital today and end your issues with frequent indigestion and acid production.