Often, when there is burning sensation, heaviness or pain in the stomach, people sometimes mistake it for gas and sometimes for acidity. But the truth is that Gas / Bloating And Acidity / Acid Reflux Both are different problems. Due to misunderstanding, people take wrong treatment, which increases the problem instead of providing relief. Correct identification at the right time is very important. Know the real difference between the two and how to recognize their symptoms.
1. What is gas? (What is Gas/Bloating?)
Gas is formed in the stomach during digestion of food. When it starts getting produced in excess or is not able to pass, the stomach starts bloating.
Main symptoms of gas
- Bloating
- stomach pain or cramps
- excessive burping
- gurgling in stomach
- feeling heavy in the stomach
Why is there gas?
- wolfing down
- overeating
- Gas producing foods like beans, gram, kidney beans, onions
- carbonated drinks
- poor digestion
2. What is acidity? (What is Acidity / Acid Reflux?)
Acidity occurs when stomach acid comes back up into the esophagus (food pipe). This causes a burning and sour feeling.
Main symptoms of acidity
- burning sensation in chest and throat
- sour burps
- bitterness in mouth
- Chest pain
- feeling food up
- burning sensation more at night
Why does acidity occur?
- spicy and fried foods
- more tea-coffee
- lying down immediately after eating
- irregular eating
- stress and weakness
3. Main differences between gas and acidity
| point | Gas | Acidity |
|---|---|---|
| Reason | gas formation during digestion | stomach acid reflux |
| symptoms | flatulence, heaviness | burning sensation, sour belching |
| place | pain in the lower abdomen | burning sensation in chest and throat |
| How to get relief? | relief from burping | Relief from taking antacids |
| trigger | gas producing foods | spicy, fried foods |
4. What to do with gas?
- eat light and fiber rich food
- Consumption of buttermilk, fennel or celery
- eat slowly
- Avoid foods that cause excess gas
5. What to do in acidity?
- reduce tea and coffee
- Limit fried and spicy foods
- walk for 30 minutes after eating
- don’t stay hungry for too long
- drink enough water
Gas and acidity often seem similar, but their causes and symptoms are different. This is why correct understanding is very important. If you remove the misconceptions and identify the symptoms, you can get quick relief by adopting the right home remedies and diet. If symptoms persist for a long time, definitely consult a doctor.
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