All you know is that your stomach feels as though it is on fire and you need relief. However, frequent heartburn and acid reflux can cause more serious problems. By all means if you have received treatment from your doctor for this problem, continue to take the medication prescribed until you can discuss this with your doctor. Many people are under the impression that acid reflux medicine means they do not have to change their eating habits. They still eat whatever they want and how much they want, never realizing that they are damaging their esophagus. The medicine becomes a cure-all for the poor eating habits they have acquired.

Antacids:

The first class of medicines most commonly used in the fight against it is antacids. You’ve seen the commercials on television for all kinds of fizzy tablets. These tablets are usually dissolved in glass of water and work best when taken about an hour after meals. There are many different brands that you can purchase that will help fight the acid production in your stomach.

Foaming Agents:

This medication works by providing a protective coating in your stomach to prevent the problem. Foaming agents usually work best when combined with other forms of treatment.

Histamine Antagonists:

In order to halt it, the production of stomach acid has to be decreased. Histamine antagonists do just that. These are found over-the-counter and can usually help treat only the symptoms tat belong to it. Long-term use is not recommended as the root of the problem won’t be addressed.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI):

This prescription medication is highly effective at limiting the symptoms. PPIs work in a similar but more effective way than histamine antagonists. There are many television commercials that feature information on PPIs. You’ve probably seen them.

Prokinetics:

The least used treatment, prokinetics are known to have unpleasant side-effects that limit their usefulness. However, for some people, this form of treatment seems to work. Prokinetics work by boosting the strength of your LES and supercharge your stomach’s ability to empty.

Two problems can arise from this way of thinking. One, using medications for long periods of time can cause serious side effects. This includes prescription medicine and your over-the-counter medicine. Due to the ingredients in these heartburn prevention medications, such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, and others they can actually cause harm if used for long periods of time. Long term use can cause problems with the kidneys, stomach, and chronic diarrhea. Sodium has been associated with heart problems, high blood pressure, and can result in death in the worst case scenario. So you may get rid of your heartburn or acid reflux, but are you exchanging that problem for another one.

Another problem is by the time you are experiencing heartburn or acid reflux, you have already begun damaging your esophagus. When you rely on the medication to take care of your problems without adjusting your diet and eating habits, you are asking for problems. Most people do not even take anything until they have a flare-up. So while you are suffering your esophagus is being damaged. Taking medicine may calm it down and keep it at bay for awhile, however the acid has already done damage.

Some people have symptoms of heart burn or reflux to the point they cannot do without medication. Others may keep it from getting this bad if they would change their eating habits. By doing this you keep your stomach from making too much acid and limiting where it can go once it starts churning. This may help you to take less medicine for acid reflux over time, thus going easier on your heart and stomach.

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