Sour stomach, also known as acid indigestion, is a common ailment that many people experience from time to time. Essentially, this type of stomach pain can come about when there is an excessive amount of hydrochloric acid present in the stomach and digestive tract. Acid reflux and heartburn sometimes accompany the condition. Frequent bouts with sour stomach can also lead to the development of ulcers if not treated in a timely manner.
There are a number of reasons why the level of hydrochloric acid rises and causes a stomachache of this type. Many of these underlying causes have to do with lifestyle choices. This means it is possible to alter habits and behavior and minimize the recurrence of sour stomach in many cases.
One of the most common causes of this phenomenon has to do with consuming too much food within a couple of hours of retiring for the evening. Many people who choose to eat late in the evening do not allow enough time for their bodies to process the food before positioning themselves in a prone position. This makes it easier for the acid to back into the digestive tract and cause a burning sensation that makes it very difficult to rest. The obvious solution here is to eat earlier in the evening and engage in some light activity, such as walking to help stimulate the digestive process.
Along with consuming too much food too late in the day, the type of food consumed can also lead to a sour stomach. Excess consumption of fatty foods can irritate the stomach and lead to a great deal of pain. While taking an antacid may help ease the discomfort, a better option is to consume less animal fats and consume more nutrient-rich options, such as green vegetables.
The root cause for sour stomach in some cases has nothing to do with the type or amount of food consumed. Instead, the stomach is irritated by the consumption of substances that could be minimized or avoided altogether. Smokers increase their chances of developing a sour stomach. In addition, tobacco consumption can exacerbate any tendency to develop an ulcer. Choosing to quit smoking and avoid the use of tobacco products in general can save the individual a lot of pain and also minimize the chances of developing a peptic ulcer.
Stress can also be involved in the creation of a sour stomach. The emotional state of an individual will often impact the ability of various systems in the body to perform at peak efficiency. Someone who is constantly worried or fearful often find they experience a tightness in the stomach area that leads to indigestion no matter what or when they eat. Often, counseling or engaging in activities to minimize stress levels will also lead to a decrease in problems with indigestion as well.
While a sour stomach in only one of several causes of ulcers, a recurring problem of this type can be a strong indicator that something should be done immediately. When left unchecked, frequent bouts with sour stomach can lead to considerable damage to the stomach lining, and the esophagus. If you experience this condition frequently, see your doctor immediately and find out what you need to do in order to rid yourself of this type of discomfort.
|
anon323588
Post 30 |
I got this the last time I was pregnant too, even with avoiding all the triggers. Has anyone else found that Tums/Rolaids makes it worse?
|
|
anon323461
Post 29 |
Finally, a group of people who get the misery of a sour stomach (or before I understood what it was I called it the "rotten egg burps" -- so brutal). I think this is the absolute worst. I had it a lot as a kid, then it phased out, but has come back after several years. I was told to get an Upper GI to see what the trigger was because OTC products don't seem to help. I do agree that baking soda works to empty your stomach fast but it's not a pretty ending. I saw someone mentioned using vinegar (with the mother). I'm guessing that's apple cider vinegar? Anyone else have this help them? I've never been able to tie it to any sort of foods, quantity or time of day. Guess maybe I just need to get that Upper GI and hope for some more answers. |
|
anon323355
Post 28 |
Half a teaspoon of baking soda and a cup (8 ounces) of water will give some relief. |
|
anon311766
Post 27 |
Take apple cider vinegar, in pill form or four tablespoons in half a cup of water. |
|
anon308429
Post 26 |
I seem to get sour stomach a lot. I always take a little bit of baking soda and water. I wait about 5 minutes, and finally when I start burping, I stick my finger down my throat to make myself vomit. I know that's not the best way, but it gets all the food that is backed up out. Makes me feel a lot better. |
|
anon299341
Post 25 |
I had a sour stomach and I drank two sips of baking soda and water and I vomited not even two minutes later, so yeah, that works really good. |
|
anon254355
Post 24 |
I have a bad stomach too. I had pepper jack cheese and it hurts so bad. I can even feel where it is going down my system. |
|
anon251859
Post 23 |
I guess overeating is the main cause of a sour stomach, because I ate some steak for lunch then about three hours later ate at subway. That equals for me a painful sour stomach that stopped me for eating for almost a day, so the best bet for anyone is eat in intervals of six to eight hour intervals. That should solve almost anybody's problem. |
|
anon228884
Post 22 |
I think some yogurt pretzels gave me sour stomach. Guess I should lay off the junk food. |
|
anon228883
Post 21 |
Wow, I ate Almond M&M's for bed last night. Something I haven't had for years. That must be why I have a sour stomach this morning. |
|
anon225505
Post 20 |
Tums work! |
|
anon219142
Post 19 |
If you go the baking soda route, I suggest you get it in tablet form so you don't have to taste it. Just ask your pharmacist for Sodium Bicarbonate.(no prescription needed) I get 100 pills for $2.00 and take four each time I have indigestion. |
|
anon177020
Post 18 |
Could spicy foods cause a sour stomach? I recently had a spicy chicken sandwich with pepperjack cheese on it and now have a sour stomach. |
|
anon148166
Post 17 |
I don't eat much. I just don't eat at all or just not when I'm supposed to eat. I don't eat meals on time, but it's not like I do it on purpose, sometimes I'm just not hungry and I won't force myself. Does this cause a sour stomach? |
|
anon140563
Post 16 |
I tried the baking soda, and immediately after i experienced some minor vomiting. Could I have possibly used too much baking soda then? |
|
anon140088
Post 15 |
I have a hiatal hernia which caused severe acid reflux. It affected me so badly that I was throwing up from pain and my stomach hurt all the time. Once I finally found out what it was, I went on prilosec otc. It's expensive and they said i would have to take it for the rest of my life, basically, so I asked for a natural alternative. They said baking soda (about a teaspoon in a 8 ounce glass) or vinegar (all natural with the "mother"). Never take both, or you'll have an unfortunate chemical reaction. I like taking the vinegar because they said it's easier on the stomach. You have to be careful to brush your teeth after you drink it because it can wear away enamel. Other than that, it works great. I also take acidophilus and that seems to help everything, too. |
|
anon121181
Post 14 |
For the amount to take of baking soda and water it usually tells you on the box. Look on the narrow sides for antacid relief. I do know that you need to dissolve it completely before drinking. |
|
anon114194
Post 13 |
Nobody answered, how much water and baking soda? |
|
anon112492
Post 12 |
I find the baking soda and water works great, but usually within the hour I have bad diarrhea and the next day, due to dehydration from the diarrhea, I have nasty muscle aches. My doc says that yes, the baking soda will suck all the nutrients and vitamins out of your body and hence the muscle aches. |
|
anon99787
Post 11 |
does drinking a lot cause it?
|
|
anon94003
Post 10 |
As I get older, my problems with stomach acid get worse. It seems like even plain cool water gives me acid indigestion. I eat four to six very small meals every day and am vegetarian. I have tried OTC and prescription meds, but nothing works better than good old Alka Seltzer. |
|
anon85177
Post 9 |
Alka Seltzer works also (Plop-Plop-Fizz-Fizz). |
|
anon63871
Post 8 |
nice definition of sour stomach. |
|
anon62553
Post 7 |
Nuts are, in general, a fatty (and sometimes salty food), which as stated in the above article leads to irritation. Baking soda and water is a good home remedy but is not treating the underlying cause and is only neutralizing the excess acid *at that time and that time only.* It won't help if you've got a problem caused by the excess acid making the sour stomach worse or if you don't know why you've got the excess acid in the first place. So, no, most of these comments left are not made by people who know more than the ones who wrote the article (which was specifically about causes, not remedies).~Becky |
|
anon61620
Post 6 |
It appears to me the posters know more about sour stomach than wisegeek. When something sous my stomach, usually veggies)the soda cure works. |
|
anon52817
Post 5 |
This is great info. I drank some baking soda, and and I burped for so long because I have been eating peanuts and other items. |
|
anon46710
Post 4 |
So I ate some cream cheese at midnight last night. Fatty *and* late at night. Thanks for the 411! |
|
anon43758
Post 3 |
Thank for the info about consuming nuts in large amounts. Guilty here. Will now heed your advice. |
|
anon38593
Post 2 |
How much water and soda? |
|
anon29569
Post 1 |
The baking soda trick is by far the best remedy I have found for sour stomach. Almost immediately after drinking the water and baking soda combination, the sour stomach is gone. I have had it return a few times, but another dose of the baking soda and water usually does the trick. I have on one occasion, had to take 3 doses to completely relieve the indigestion. I have also found that consuming nuts in large amounts will cause sour stomach. I try to keep the amount I eat now in check, to prevent this problem of sour stomach. |
