Acid reflux that leads to the symptom of heartburn occurs when the digestive juices in the stomach rise back into the foodpipe. Acidity is a general term used for indigestion, and comprises of many symptoms like bloating, heartburn, burping and heaviness in the stomach region. Heartburn and acidity are thus often used interchangeably.

Symptoms of acidity includes a burning pain or discomfort that may move from your stomach to your chest, or even up into your throat, a sour or bitter taste due to acid backing up into your throat called as regurgitation, bloating, sensation of food being stuck in your throat, hiccups, dry cough, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat.

Yes, long-term acidity can lead to stomach ulcers. The bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori can enter your body and live in your stomach. They damage the mucosal lining of the oesophagus, which makes it more susceptible to damage by stomach acid.

Acidity is typically diagnosed by a heartburn symptom. Doctor will ask you about your lifestyle, eating habits, addiction and any medication that could be responsible for acidity. Other tests such as barium swallow can check for ulcers; oesophageal manometry can check the function and movement of the oesophagus, an endoscopy can check for problems in your oesophagus or stomach.

Eating heavy meals, lying down immediately after a meal, being overweight or obese, having certain foods such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, or spicy or fatty foods, drinking beverages, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea, smoking, pregnancy, taking medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen can cause acidity.