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How Acid Reflux Medications Work
If you have been suffering from heartburn or acid reflux symptoms for a while, you should definitely see your doctor. In fact, you might want to visit several types of doctors. Aside from your general physician, consulting specialists like internists and gastroenterologists may be beneficial to you.
Internists are doctors who specialize in internal medicine while gastroenterologists treat ailments of the stomach and the intestines. Between these two medical professionals, you should be able to come up with an idea of what ails you, as well as what can be done to alleviate the symptoms that you suffer from. Most of the time, acid reflux sufferers will have to make a few simple lifestyle changes, but in the more serious cases, surgery may be required.
Some of the lifestyle changes you can make to control acid reflux include the following:
- Eating smaller meals. Smaller portions consumed at regular intervals are less likely to induce a bout of indigestion or heartburn.
- Avoid acidic and high-fat foods. Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits increase the chances of an acid reflux bout. High-fat foods like chocolate and ice cream are likewise risky.
- Stop smoking. The four thousand harmful compounds on tobacco smoke will always assure you of poorer health overall.
- Stop drinking. Like citrus products, alcohol is very acidic, and is very much capable of upsetting the delicate balance of your stomach. Alcohol, when taken excessively, also impairs the general functioning of the body and mind.
- Lose weight if needed. Generally, slimmer people are healthier then well-proportioned ones. Losing a few pounds will most likely improve your overall condition, even when it comes to indigestion.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes. Make sure you are able to breathe well, and are relatively comfortable.
- Avoid lying down for 3 hours after a meal. Raise the head of your bed by about five to seven inches.
Acid Reflux Medication
There is a wide variety of acid reflux medicine available, so you should learn about how each one works and how it affects your body. Examples of acid reflux medication include:
Antacids
Antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepto-Bismol, Rolaids, and Riopan, are drugs that are used to neutralize the acids in your stomach. Most antacids come with three different salts – aluminum, calcium, and magnesium. Most antacids simply combine these salts using different dosages and formulations. Combined with bicarbonate ions, these salts serve to render harmless the acids in your stomach, at least for a period of time. But beware: Antacids can cause constipation, especially when taken excessively.
Foaming agents
Foaming agents, such as Gaviscon, prevent acid reflux by covering your stomach with foam. Usually, these drugs are only prescribed to those who have suffered little or no damage to their esophagus because if acid reflux.
H2 blockers
H2 blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), nizatidine (Axid AR), and ranitidine (Zantac 75), are substances that slow down the production of acids. H2 blockers have been proven to be very effective when it comes to providing short-term relief, but they do not work for everyone and must not be used for more than a few consecutive weeks. H2 blockers are often more effective when taken before sleeping in combination with a proton pump inhibitor.
Proton pump inhibitors
These include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and esomeprazole (Nexium). All these drugs are available with a prescription. Proton pump inhibitors are more effective than H2 blockers and can help just about everyone suffering from acid reflux.
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