Stomach Acid: Causes, Symptoms, and Simple Fixes
Stomach acid helps digest food and kills germs. But when acid is too high or moves the wrong way, it causes heartburn, sour burps, and a bitter taste. You don’t need medical training to spot common problems — a few simple changes often make a big difference.
Common problems and symptoms
High stomach acid often shows up as burning under the breastbone (heartburn), regurgitation of sour fluid, burping, and chest discomfort that gets worse after meals. Low stomach acid can cause bloating, gas, feeling full fast, and poor digestion of proteins. Sometimes symptoms overlap, so how you feel after eating gives strong clues.
Watch for alarm signs: trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, or black stools. Those need urgent medical care. For most people, symptoms are annoying but not dangerous and respond to basic fixes.
Practical fixes and when to see a doctor
Start with habits. Eat smaller meals and stop eating 2–3 hours before bed. Raise the head of your bed 6–8 inches if nighttime reflux wakes you. Cut back on alcohol, coffee, very fatty foods, and big citrus or tomato portions — these can trigger reflux. Smoking makes acid problems worse, so quitting helps quickly.
Over-the-counter options work well for many: antacids (Tums, Maalox) give fast short relief, H2 blockers (famotidine) reduce acid for several hours, and proton-pump inhibitors (omeprazole, esomeprazole) lower acid for longer. If you use PPIs, try to follow a doctor's plan — stopping abruptly can cause rebound symptoms. If you’re on other medicines, check with a pharmacist about interactions.
If lifestyle changes and OTC meds don't help after a few weeks, see a doctor. Tests can check for H. pylori infection, stomach acid levels, or damage to the esophagus. An endoscopy or a 24-hour pH test gives a clear picture when symptoms are severe or unclear.
If you have repeated reflux or take acid suppression medicines long-term, ask about side effects like low magnesium or B12 changes and whether you need periodic monitoring. A short course of testing or switching meds might be all you need.
Quick takeaway: adjust meals and sleep position, avoid trigger foods, try antacids or H2 blockers for mild symptoms, and see a clinician if you have alarm signs or persistent reflux. Small changes often stop stomach acid from ruining your day.
