Acid Reflux Medication: Keeping Heartburn at Bay

By Raymond Harper

Digestion Process

A normal digestive process starts in the mouth. Have you ever been told to chew your food when you where young? Nearly everyone has. The reason for chewing your food is not only so that you can taste it properly but by chewing you are not only breaking the food up into smaller particles for digestion you are also coating it with saliva which also helps in the digestive process. The partially digested food is passed to the stomach were further digestive juices work and then forwarded by muscular movements from the stomach to the intestines. However, for some people, the stomach contents travel back to the esophagus from the stomach. This condition is known as acid reflux and acid reflux medication may be needed to combat it.

 Common symptoms of this disease include heartburn, difficulty in swallowing, regurgitation, chest pains, dental erosion, hoarseness, asthma, dyspepsia, vomiting, to name but a few.

 If not properly treated, acid reflux can last a lifetime. An essential part of acid reflux treatment for a patient is lifestyle changes which your doctor can advise on and certain acid reflux medicines.

 The most common medications to combat heartburn and other symptoms include the following:

 Antacids

 These drugs are used to neutralize the acids in the digestive tract and are primarily taken in for relief of mild symptoms, such as occasional episodes of indigestion and heartburn. They also act to incite the defensive mechanisms of our stomach by building up the secretion of mucous and bicarbonate. Most antacids can be bought over the counter even without a medical prescription. Moreover, these drugs are one of the first to be recommended by professionals to lessen the pain brought about by heartburn or mild symptoms. The three basic ingredients of antacids are magnesium, calcium, and aluminum. They are not recommended to be taken over a long period and if acid reflux symptoms persist you are advised to see your doctor for further diagnosis.

Antacids also have a short period when they work and the action of taking them may only last for about one to two hours on your heartburn symptom, they would need to be taken frequently throughout the day to neutralize your acid

 H2 Histamine Antagonists

 Acid suppressants such as histamine blockers are also commonly used. They are called H2 histamine antagonists as they obstruct the production of stomach acids by alienating the actions of histamine. Histamine is a chemical in the body that promotes the production and secretion of acids in the stomach. Histamine attaches and stimulates the stomach cells that produce acid. H2 histamine antagonists work by blocking the receptor of histamine at the stomach cells therefore preventing the histamine from stimulating the acid producing cells.

Anti-histamines are available without prescription and is a good acid reflux medicine offering relief for patients with frequent acid reflux symptoms. Patients may have to wait for 30 to 90 minutes for these drugs to take effect. But their effect also lasts normally about 12 hours which is a vast improvement on normal antacids. In cases of severe symptoms, a patient may have to take two doses a day. In some researches, histamine blockers have shown to improve asthmatic symptoms in those who endure from both acid reflux and asthma.  Some H2 histamine antagonists include Zantac and Tagamt.

 However, in a study dated 2001, it was suggested that H2 histamine antagonists occasionally impart complete relief of symptoms for dyspepsia and heartburn. Although they are a heartburn medication what they do not do is treat the inflammation of the esophagus or other complications.

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 Proton pump inhibitors

 Proton pump inhibitors (PPI, s) are the newest form of acid reflux medicine specifically designed for acid related diseases. They block  the production of stomach acids by reacting with the cells found in the stomach wall which produce secrete acids into the stomach. The advantage of Proton Pump inhibitors have over H2 antagonists is that they shut off acid production more effectively and they last over a longer period of time. PPI,s are not only the best medicine for treating heartburn but are also good for the protection of the esophagus from acid and in so doing lets and inflamed esophagus heal.

PPI, s are used if the acid reflux symptoms are not relieved properly by h2 antagonists. They are also used with GERD complications such as erosion of the esophagus, Barretts Esophagus, and healing ulcers. Some PPI, s are Nexium and Prilozec.

 Foam barriers

Another form of acid reflux medication are foam barriers are not usually the first treatment when fighting acid reflux disease GERD for short. Foam barriers work by using an antacid and a foaming agent in tandem. Usually taken after meals the foam forms a barrier to the reflux of acid while the antacids are neutralizing the stomach acid. They are usually used in conjunction with one of the other drugs when the other drug has not effectively relieved the acid reflux

 Pro-motility agents

 One problem that can promote an acid reflux symptom is Gastro paresis a disorder where the stomach empties slowly. Symptoms are feeling of fullness, vomiting or nausea after eating.  If the stomach empties slowly then there is more chance of stomach acid lying in the stomach or refluxing and causing heartburn, Pro motility agents help the stomach empty more quickly by stimulating the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract; this includes the stomach, esophagus, small intestine and colon. One such drug is Reglan and is also used to fight GERD. The drug can increase pressure in the lower esophagus on the valve called the lower esophageal sphincter and also on the muscles of the esophagus themselves. By doing this and emptying the stomach more quickly it is a drug to be used in the fight against GERD. This drug is associated with side effects that limit it’s use but can generally be used to enhance acid reflux treatment with other drugs.

 It is best to see your doctor for a diagnosis before taking any medicine. Any or all Acid reflux medication may have side effects. As GERD can be with you for life you doctors diagnosis and advice on which acid reflux medication you should take is necessary.