Stomach Acid: What It Does and How to Keep It Balanced
Stomach acid helps digest food and kills germs, but when levels are off you can get heartburn, bloating or feel full all the time. This page gives clear, practical steps to spot problems and try fixes that work for most people.
High acid often shows as burning in the chest or throat after meals, sour taste, burping, or coughing. Low acid can feel like bloating, indigestion, or a sense that food sits heavy. Causes range from diet and stress to medicines like NSAIDs, antibiotics, or proton pump inhibitors. Age and certain medical conditions also change acid production.
Simple lifestyle moves that help
Start with meals: eat smaller portions, slow down, and avoid lying down for two to three hours after eating. Cut back on trigger foods — spicy dishes, citrus, tomato sauce, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol often fuel reflux. Try swapping high-fat meals for lean proteins and vegetables, and avoid big late-night snacks. Losing even a little weight and quitting smoking cut reflux a lot.
Sleep smarter: raise the head of your bed by 6 to 8 inches or use a wedge pillow to keep acid from rising at night. Manage stress with short walks, breathing exercises, or apps that guide relaxation. Stress doesn't just make you feel bad — it can change digestion and acid patterns.
Medicines and when to use them
Over-the-counter antacids like Tums or Maalox give fast relief for heartburn. H2 blockers (famotidine) reduce acid for several hours and work well for mild symptoms. Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, esomeprazole) cut acid more strongly and are best for frequent reflux — but they should be used carefully and usually not every day long-term without a doctor’s review.
If you suspect low stomach acid, don't take acid blockers without testing. Low acid can lead to poor digestion and nutrient gaps; simple tests or a trial with betaine HCl under a doctor’s care can help diagnose it. If you’re on multiple medicines, check interactions with a pharmacist.
Quick tips you can try today: chew food well, skip tight belts, drink water between meals not during big bites, and note which foods trigger you. Keep a short diary for two weeks to spot patterns — what you eat, sleep, and stress level next to symptoms.
See a doctor if you have trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, black stools, persistent vomiting, or severe chest pain. Those signs need prompt attention and may require endoscopy, imaging, or lab tests to find the exact cause.
Balancing stomach acid often comes down to a few practical changes plus the right medicine when needed. Try the lifestyle fixes first, track what helps, and ask your healthcare provider for tests or treatment if symptoms persist.
If tests show H. pylori infection, antibiotics plus acid suppression usually cure it. Always tell your doctor about supplements and herbal remedies — some raise acid or interfere with treatment. Regular follow-up keeps treatment working and prevents relapse. Check progress yearly.
