New Delhi: Did you know that your child's recurring throat infection could be because of acidity? For reasons that are lifestyle-related and, therefore, well within our control, occurrence of acidity among youngsters is rising steadily and should be addressed with a visit to the doctor if it hampers daily life to avoid its long-term implications.

A gastroenterologist at the Apollo Hospital, Ajay Kumar, attributes this rising trend among young children to their daily routine. "A school-going kid has an early breakfast, which he or she eats half-heartedly because of time constraints. After a long break it's tiffin time, but he or she hardly eats from the lunchbox, preferring to eat from the canteen instead," he explained.

"It's seen that a lot of mothers try to pack appetising food for their children, like fried cutlets, or even a packet of chips. At the end of the day, you have moved from a high- fibre diet to a high-calorie diet. Obesity in kids therefore is rising, as also are cases of acidity," Ajay Kumar told IANS.

It's a similar story for professionals. Long gaps between meals, junk food, no physical exercise and odd working hours all add to giving one that burning sensation in the stomach.

"Stress also plays a big role in causing acidity. It accentuates the problem," Deepak Lahoti, head of the gastroenterology department at Max Hospital, Patparganj, told IANS. A job that always keeps you on the tenterhooks or a gnawing problem at home can, therefore, also lead to acidity.

What's more, smoking and alcohol, both of which are increasingly becoming an accepted norm in society, can cause an acid reflux.

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