Unnatural or forced losses of fluids can contribute to excess stomach acid. Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia can therefore also contribute to excess stomach acid buildup. When the body does not receive enough food or is forced to regurgitate ingested food, stomach acid can increase. Altering your lifestyle to deal with these issues is an effective way to combat excess stomach acid.

Note the possible symptoms associated with excess stomach acid.Knowledge of the symptoms of an acidic stomach will help you identify whether the pH of your stomach is the culprit behind your symptoms.
Possible symptoms of excess stomach acid include heartburn, bloating, excess gas, indigestion, nausea, fullness or the presence of ulcers.

Other symptoms may include bad breath, hair loss, belching or nasal congestion.
All of these symptoms may be indications that the stomach acid of your stomach is disproportionate and should be regulated.
Understand the contributing factors to excess stomach acid. The foods that you eat can increase stomach acid levels if the food is difficult to digest or highly acidic in content. Spicy foods and salty foods can also contribute to excess stomach acid buildup.
Eliminate bad habits related to your health which can contribute to excess stomach acid buildup.

Refraining from smoking, which can cause buildup of stomach acids and raise the acidic content of the stomach. This can result in prolonged heartburn and other stomach problems.

Refraining from or reducing alcohol consumption, which can also increase the acidic content of the stomach and lead to stomach acid issues and symptoms.

Consume meals on a regular basis and try to eat a wide balance of healthy food items instead of junk food or foods with high sugar and salt contents.Foods that are high in fiber can help to regulate the digestive system and may decrease stomach acid levels.

Avoid eating very large meals. Over-eating to "very full" makes the stomach pump out even more acid to digest all that food, and because the stomach is full, acid has an even better chance of splashing up on the esophagus.

By eating slower in the previous tip, you'll recognize you are "actually full" sooner than you would be if you "ate until you were full."

Avoid carbonated beverages and legumes which can also increase the amount of gas produced in the stomach. Increased gas levels may not contribute to acid overload, but this gas can deliver the acid to parts of the body that are sensitive to the high acidity of stomach fluids.

Engage in relaxation techniques and stress relieving activities. Elevated stress levels can trigger an increase in stomach acid production. Ulcers, sores and lesions on the inner lining of the stomach and esophagus are often attributed to high stress levels.

Exercise regularly. Exercise is important for maintaining overall body health and will contribute to easing symptoms of indigestion, especially as a source of reducing stress buildup. Be sure to keep well hydrated when exercising.

Some Home Remedies to Cure Acidity:

Bananas: Are high in potassium which is an alkalizing mineral that has a high pH value. The higher the pH value, the lower the acidity, which is why the banana is a formidable antidote for acidity. They also have a component that makes the stomach lining produce more mucous. This mucous protects the inner lining of the stomach, reducing the damage caused due to acidity. It is high in fibre content, which helps speed along digestion thus reducing the further recurrence of acidity. To make this remedy even more effective try and eat overripe bananas during an attack of acidity. They have higher amounts of potassium making it even more effective.

Tulsi: Has compounds that make it an effective digestive agent. It stimulates the stomach to produce more mucous and has potent anti-ulcer properties. It also reduces the effect of peptic acids in the stomach thereby preventing excessive acidity. They also reduce gas formation. Eat five to six basil leaves after your meal to get instant relief.

Cold milk: Milk has a high amount of calcium that helps it prevent acid build up and absorbs the excess acidproduced thereby reducing the symptoms; the fact that it is cold also provides instant relief from the burning sensation one feels during acid reflux. It is essential that one has this cold and without any additives like sugar. Mix it with a spoon of ghee to make the remedy even more effective. 

Saunf: Called fennel in English and popularly used as a mouth freshener, saunf has many hidden benefits. Among them are aiding digestion reliving constipation. Rich in volatile oils containing flavanoids, plamitic acid and many others, it is known to have very potent anti-ulcer properties.Apart from that saunf acts as a coolant for the lining of the stomach helping it heal faster. In fact, this is why saunf is served after meals at restaurants. In case you’ve a sudden bout of acidity, boil a few seeds in water and leave overnight, drink this water when you feel uneasy.

Jeera: It has properties that stimulate the production of saliva which helps in better digestion, improves metabolism and relieves gas and other gastric troubles . In Ayurvedic traditions, it’s believed to have a calming effect on irritated stomach nerves and helps in healing ulcers formed due to acid secretion. One can either chew on it to relieve acidity or a better method is to boil it in water and drink the water when it has cooled down.

Clove: It is a natural carmitive and helps improve peristalisis (the movement of food down the stomach) and also increase the production of saliva. It has a pungent taste when bitten into, and the taste buds react to this taste and secrete excess saliva, which in turn aids digestion. In case you’re suffering from acidity, bite a clove once so that the juice is released and then keep it in the mouth. The slowly escaping juice will immediately lower acid reflux and give you some relief.

Elaichi: In Ayurvedic traditions, cardamom is believed to be one food that balances all three doshas – kapha, pitta and vata. It is known to stimulate digestion and relieve people of stomach spasms. It soothes the mucous lining of the stomach helping it ward off the effects of excess acid produced in the stomach. Due to its sweet taste and slight cooling effect it also relieves the burning sensation associated with acidity. To relieve acidity crush two pods of cardamom (with or without the skin), boil the powder in water and drink the cooled juice for instant relief.

Mint leaves or pudina: These leaves have been used for ages as a mouth freshener and also for garnishing for various foods.This humble leaf has amazing properties that make it just the medicine to treat acidity. It also lowers the acid content of the stomach and improves digestion. Plus its cool effect helps to reduce the pain and burning associated with acid reflux. If you feel an attack coming on chop some mint leaves, add them to a pot of boiling water and drink this water after it cools.

Ginger: A regular ingredient in most Indian households, ginger improves absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients and aids in digestion. It also helps break down the proteins in your food. Ginger protects your stomach against ulcers by promoting mucus secretion thereby reducing the effect of the acid on the stomach. You can chew a piece of ginger for relief. If you find that too pungent, you can try boiling it in water and drinking the decoction. Another remedy is to crush ginger, mix it with a small piece of jaggery and keeping sucking on it allowing the juice to slowly reach the stomach.

Amla: Is a kapha and pitta pacifier apart from having high amounts of vitamin C that helps in healing the injured stomach lining and oesophagus. Have one teaspoon ofamla powder twice a day to help keep acidity way.

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