I can think of a few reasons why antacids are being normalised nowadays
In today’s time of fast culture, one neither has the time nor energy to prepare proper home cooked meals . People are getting accustomed to eating junk and restaurant foods which are either heavily spiced or use adulterated ingredients for cooking.
Delayed meal timings – As a doctor this is a problem that seems inevitable to me and I’m sure there are many people from various other walks of life who face such similar problems, they either get busy with work or work in conditions that won’t even give them the luxury to have one peaceful meal during work hours . The office administration/ HR need to ensure timely lunch breaks for all employees.
Yeah it’s right the use of antacid nowadays is like eating a candy. Main causes for these are.
Inactive lifestyle, use of spicy oily foods, stress, daily use of chai and coffee( relaxes lower esophageal sphincter) are the main contributors of acidity and these can be addressed by maintaing appropriate life style like avoiding use of gatrictriggers.
Marketing factor- Adds provided in television and the sale of antacid without prescription are also important reason as most of the patient belief that it is OTC drug and they can get it very easily.
Right!
Acidity is now very common in daily life, and many people self-treat it with antacids. Taking antacids without a doctor’s prescription is normal in our society. Due to poor eating habits, stress and poor sleep leads to increase in acidity.
Lifestyle & dietary changes, sedentary work life, improper sleeping timings, stress all either directly or indirectly contribute to the increased problem of acidity . Over reliance on medications is not the solution. Minor modifications in our everyday routines can solve the problem.
Yes caring antacid became more common than maintaining healthy eating habit cause most of us prefer to eat junk rather than healthy cause for them taste is prior than health.
In today’s generation, acidity has been normalized because “skipping breakfast has almost become a trend among students and young adults”. Since our bodies have been fasting all night, skipping that first meal in the morning leaves the stomach with a high concentration of acid and nothing to process, which is the major cause for heartburn.
This habit, combined with a preference for highly spicy junk foods, has made acidity a daily struggle for many. It’s become so common that people treat antacid syrups and tablets like chocolates or quick fixes rather than addressing their actual eating habits. Because these medications are so easily available OTC.
"The society has shifted towards just managing the pain with a bottle in their bag instead of prioritizing a healthy, consistent meal schedule".
Our nocturnal habits also contribute to acidity/GERD, very common with people working hospital night shifts or those working night shifts in general. Easy access and quick relief makes them pop antacids like candies! There’s no alternative so they have to comply as it’s a part of their job.
In today’s fast pace life, people are looking for quick fixes for their problems rather than understanding the root cause. In my opinion this is one of the main reasons for normalizing the regular use of antacids.
carrying antacids became very common in India. the moment you feel heart burn and acid reflux taking antacids became very common in our country. practically drug stores and pharmacies are over flowing with antacids. those syrups, fizz drinks, chewable tablets we reach after heart burn or acid reflux became a part of our daily routine. long term use of antacids can harm stomach lining. though, they temporarily relives the symptoms, they cannot cure the root cause. prolonged usage of antacids can lead to vit B12 - iron deficiency also cover ups major issues like ulcers and infection.to prevent this excess consumption of antacids has to limited. Modifying our diet and avoiding alcohol and tobacco can improve gut health.
Quick tricks: 
Sodium → fast relief
Magnesium → diarrhea
Aluminium → constipation
Calcium → rebound acidity sometimes
Simethicone → reduces gas/bloating
Simethicone → for gas relief
