What Does “Acidity” Really Mean?

One of the most common questions patients ask is, “What exactly is acidity?” In everyday conversations, acidity is often used as a blanket term, but in medical practice, it can mean very different things for different people.

In India, Ayurvedic concepts such as pitta and amlapitta are deeply ingrained from childhood. Because of this, many patients walk into a doctor’s clinic and simply say, “I have pitta” or “I have acidity,” assuming that the doctor will automatically understand what they mean and prescribe the right treatment.
However, this assumption often leads to confusion.

Why the term “acidity” is misleading

Patients use the word acidity to describe a wide range of symptoms:

• Some experience burning in the chest, which is actually acid reflux or GERD.
• Others complain of burning or pain in the stomach.
• Many patients use acidity to describe frequent loose motions, often because it sounds more socially acceptable than saying they have diarrhea.
• Some patients refer to hard or infrequent stools, which is constipation, as acidity.
• A few patients report headaches with nausea and vomiting and label it as acidity, when it could actually be migraine.
• In other cases, people describe itching or small rashes on the hands and feet as acidity, even though these are allergic skin reactions.

Although these problems are completely different, they are all grouped under one word—acidity.

The problem with self-diagnosis

Doctors do not possess divine knowledge. When patients diagnose themselves and use vague terms, it becomes difficult to immediately identify the real cause of their symptoms. Temporary relief from antacids can further confuse the situation, as the root problem may remain untreated.

For example, migraine requires evaluation by a neurologist, and skin allergies should be assessed by a dermatologist. Treating everything as acidity can delay the right diagnosis.

What patients should do instead

The first step toward proper treatment is clear communication. Rather than naming a condition, patients should describe:

• What exactly they feel
• Where the discomfort occurs
• How often it happens
• Whether it is related to food, bowel habits, or stress

This helps the doctor reach an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.

Key takeaway

Avoid using broad terms like acidity or pitta. Explain your symptoms in simple, direct words. This small change can significantly improve the quality of diagnosis and care.

If you would like more information or have questions related to digestive health, you can share them in the comments section.