Stomach Acid Prevention

Stomach acid is needed to break down and dissolve food when it enters your stomach. The stomach produces the acid needed, but consumption of certain foods and other conditions can cause the stomach to produce excess acid. This can cause heartburn, acid reflux and stomach ulcers. Left untreated the excess stomach acid can lead to stomach bleeding and increase your risk of stomach cancer.

Foods

Certain foods contribute to heartburn and an overproduction of stomach acids. Acidic foods such as tomatoes, oranges, grapefruit and vinegar should be limited. Spicy foods such as chili peppers and hot sauce or greasy foods such as hamburgers and french fries can also cause extra stomach acid to build up. Alcohol, caffeine beverages and carbonated drinks can also trigger extra stomach acid.

Medications

Over-the-counter antacids such as Mylanta or Maalox can reduce stomach acid and prevent inflammation of the stomach lining. Antacids may not be enough to provide relief, so your doctor may prescribe acid blockers such as Tagamet and Zantac. These medications reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces. Medications such as Prilosec and Prevacid are proton pump inhibitors. These medications help to shut off acid production more completely and for longer periods of time.

Lifestyle Changes

Keeping the digestive tract healthy is important to your overall well-being. Eat smaller portions instead of stuffing yourself and eat at regular times. Maintain a healthy weight as being overweight can increase heartburn and bloating. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day helps to move food waste through the body more quickly. Stress can cause your stomach to overproduce stomach acid. Reducing stress in your life with meditation or relaxations tapes, yoga or with medication can reduce stomach acid triggers.

Solutions

You can decrease the amount of acid your stomach produces by following certain guidelines. Besides being unhealthy, smoking can irritate the protective lining of your stomach and can lead to stomach cancer. Pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen can cause stomach irritation. Switch to acetaminophen, which is more stomach friendly. Limit alcohol consumption, which can erode the stomach lining. Consult your doctor on any exercise or medication treatments to prevent stomach acid.