Monday, July 26, 2010

How To Stop Heartburn With Medication

When it comes to the heartburn disorder millions of people within the United States suffer from it. It is possibly the single most income-creating medical problem for the pharmaceutical companies. Heartburn is a problem that generates a burning pain initiating behind the breastbone and spreading out upwards. The stomach acid, backing up the wrong way from the stomach, enters the esophagus and inflames and irritates the esophagus. The lower esophagus sphincter, either through weakness or getting relaxed due to alcohol or drugs, allows this leak.

There are a few diverse things you can do to manage this complication. The antacids provide a simple temporary cure. These medications, mainly made of calcium carbonate, aluminum and magnesium, neutralize the acid in the stomach. They act very fast, but are effective only for short periods (1 to 2 hours). Antacids like Pepto-Bismol coat the esophagus so that the acid does not come in contact and cause heartburn. Medications just like Gaviscon create a barrier of foam between the esophagus and stomach area.

The second form of medications used to stop heartburn problems is the H2 blockers. Drugs like Cimetidine, Ranitidine, Nizatidine and Famstidine provide relief from the heartburn by suppressing acid production in the stomach. They take around an hour to start working and last around 12 hours.

The third type of medication to deal with heartburn complications is Proton Pump Inhibitors. PPIs like Omeprazole and Lansoprozole turn off acid production by a different method from H2 blockers. PPI interferes with the proton pump in the mucus lining of the stomach at the last stage of acid production. It is helpful in just a single hour and the effect lasts for at least 24 hours. There is also a combination medicine: Antacid for fast relief and H2 blocker for longer relief.

We do not know, by any systematic study, how helpful herbal treatment methods are or how they really work. But a variety of physicians accept and recommend them as supporting medication. Ginger root, aloe vera juice, basil leaves, bitters and aromatics all have their proponents.

Self-treating heartburn with OTC drugs is quite reasonable, up to a point. But if the problem persists for longer periods than recommended by the drug manufacturer or if the patient finds no relief with the medication, it is time to consult a physician. The heartburn condition could be a symptom of a much more serious underlying issue.

If you're suffering with heartburn, there are a number of extremely effective Cures For Heartburn that will put an end to this problem permanently in 8 weeks. Click Here if you are serious about ending this nightmare once and for all.

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