Acid Reflux Medicine - Finally Key Information About Your Different Options
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a very common disease condition, which affects millions of people of all age groups.
GERD is caused when the stomach contents and the digestive acids present in the stomach, tend to leak back into the esophagus, against the natural path of peristaltic movement of the alimentary tract.
There are several different options of acid reflux medicine available which include antacids, acid suppressants, acid blockers, anti spasm medicines as well medicines that protect the mucosal lining of the esophagus.
Factors such as overeating, tight clothing, nicotine containing substances (such as tea, cigarettes, etc), coffee and other caffeine containing products, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin and ibuprofen), spicy foods (containing garlic, onion, etc), oil-dripping fatty foods, peppermint, mint, chocolates, etc, act as triggers and encourage acid reflux in the body.
The reflux of digestive acids into the esophagus creates a burning sensation in the chest, right behind the sternum, which is referred to as heartburn.
The most common symptoms of heartburn include - painfulness or a burning sensation in the chest and the throat, sourness or bitterness in the mouth, chronic coughing, difficulty in swallowing, and respiratory complications such as wheezing or asthma-like symptoms.
Apart from severe heartburn, some of the other common symptoms of heartburn include a persistent sore throat, problem in swallowing and chronic dry cough problem.
There are also some very strange GERD symptoms such as - hoarseness in voice and a persistent feeling as if there is still food sticking on in your throat.
These strange GERD symptoms are seen in people of all age groups, however, pickiness about foods and refusal to eat, (caused due to a persistent sore throat) are some of the symptoms which are most commonly seen in children.
The different kinds of acid reflux medicine include -
GERD is caused when the stomach contents and the digestive acids present in the stomach, tend to leak back into the esophagus, against the natural path of peristaltic movement of the alimentary tract.
There are several different options of acid reflux medicine available which include antacids, acid suppressants, acid blockers, anti spasm medicines as well medicines that protect the mucosal lining of the esophagus.
Factors such as overeating, tight clothing, nicotine containing substances (such as tea, cigarettes, etc), coffee and other caffeine containing products, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin and ibuprofen), spicy foods (containing garlic, onion, etc), oil-dripping fatty foods, peppermint, mint, chocolates, etc, act as triggers and encourage acid reflux in the body.
The reflux of digestive acids into the esophagus creates a burning sensation in the chest, right behind the sternum, which is referred to as heartburn.
The most common symptoms of heartburn include - painfulness or a burning sensation in the chest and the throat, sourness or bitterness in the mouth, chronic coughing, difficulty in swallowing, and respiratory complications such as wheezing or asthma-like symptoms.
Apart from severe heartburn, some of the other common symptoms of heartburn include a persistent sore throat, problem in swallowing and chronic dry cough problem.
There are also some very strange GERD symptoms such as - hoarseness in voice and a persistent feeling as if there is still food sticking on in your throat.
These strange GERD symptoms are seen in people of all age groups, however, pickiness about foods and refusal to eat, (caused due to a persistent sore throat) are some of the symptoms which are most commonly seen in children.
The different kinds of acid reflux medicine include -
- A very important category of heartburn medication includes the antacids, which contain three basic components - magnesium, calcium, and/or aluminum in varying compositions.
The antacids (such as Amphogel, Alternagel, Alka-2, Maalox, Mylanta, Titralac, and Tums) neutralize the acidity of the digestive juices present in the stomach and therefore, aid in reducing heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms. - Another category of heartburn medication includes the H2 receptor antagonists such as Famotidine (Pepcid AC), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Ranitidine (Zantac), or Nizatidine (Axid), which aid in blocking the acid production.
Within an hour of taking these medicines, the patient gets relief from heartburn and related symptoms.
The effect lasts between 6 to 24 hours, but in the case of very severe heartburn, patients may also be asked to take these medicines twice a day. - The most reliable and effective category of heartburn medication includes the Proton Pump Inhibitors such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and pantoprazole (Protonix), which suppress the production of digestive acids in the stomach, as well as heal the sores and ulcerations on the esophagus, provide relief from laryngitis, and also calm down the nauseating feeling that occurs commonly due to severe acid reflux.
- Yet another category of acid reflux medicine includes those medicines that form a fine protective coating over the ulcerations present in the mucosal lining of the esophagus.
These medicines effectively prevent any further damage of the mucosal lining of the esophagus as well as the other portions of the entire alimentary tract and also provide respite from the symptoms of heartburn.
However, anti spasm medicine such as baclofen, can also be used for treating both acid as well as non-acid reflux.
It plays an important role in strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter muscle and in improving its functionality, as a result of which, the leaking of the stomach acids (as in the case of acid reflux) or bile juice (as in the case of non-acid reflux) into the esophagus is prevented.
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