CBSE Class 10 Answered

Our stomach produces acid to digest the food that we eat. This is a regular and natural process.

Problem occurs when these cells produce large amount of acid, more than your stomach needs. When this happens, you will suffer from stomach acidity.

Effects:

You may feel a burning sensation just above the stomach, or right below your breastbone. 

Other people experience acid regurgitation. 

You may have a sour taste in your mouth.

Acid regurgitation many a times results to heartburn, or that pain near the heart area.

Causes:

Sudden onset of acidity is usually triggered by foods that you eat. Fatty and spicy foods are harder to digest than most food; this, in effect, prompts the cells that pump acid to produce more acid than is necessary.

Sudden onset of stomach acidity is also known as acute stomach acidity attack. This can easily be cured by taking over-the-counter (OTC) antacids to relieve the stomach from pain.

However, there are acidity conditions that persist. This is more known as a chronic acidity condition. Stress and underlying medical conditions are usually the cause of chronic stomach acidity.

Some diseases may also cause hyperacidity.

Cure:

The most popular cure is taking antacids that can be bought over-the-counter. For those who are suffering from complications brought about by stomach acidity (such as ulcer and GERD), doctors prescribe medicine such as Ranitidine,  Lansoprazole or Omeprazole to treat hyperacidity