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Acid Reflux Medication
Introduction
There are many acid reflux medications, both over-the-counter and
prescription that are used to treat gastro esophageal reflux disease
(GERD).
Changes in the lifestyle along with acid reflux medication like acid
reducers and proton pump inhibitors prescribed by the health care
professional, or nonprescription medications like antacids, are
usually tried first to treat symptoms that are probably caused GERD.
Acid reflux medication is used in the treatment of GERD to alleviate
symptoms of heartburn or bitter taste. They are also used to allow
the esophagus to heal and prevent any further complications.
Nonprescription acid reflux medication can be tried for the placid
and occasional symptoms. Conversely stronger prescribed acid reflux
medication will probably be required if symptoms are more vicious.
Depending on the severity of the problem, these medicines may
require to be taken on daily basis or only occasionally, when
heartburn or acid reflux symptoms occur. Enduring acid reflux
medication treatment is generally needed for GERD symptoms that are
nastier, as symptoms tend to return when the acid reflux medication
is discontinued. Surgical treatment is the only other viable
alternative to prevent acid reflux symptoms from recurring.
Available Medications
The subsequent nonprescription and prescription acid reflux
medication may be used to cure gastro esophageal reflux disease:
Antacids - There are many antacids (such as Chooz, Tums, Gaviscon,
Di-gel, Mylanta, Rolaids) available over-the-counter. These antacids
work by neutralizing acid in the stomach. Antacids neutralize
stomach acid on contact and relieve heartburn. This acid reflux
medication is usually tried first when symptoms are infrequent and
mild.
Acid reducers / H2 blockers - This type of acid reflux medication
works by reducing the amount of acid the stomach produces. Acid
reducers also called H2 blockers (such as Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet and
Zantac) are generally used to treat conditions in which the stomach
produces too much acid and conditions in which acid comes up into
the esophagus and causes heartburn.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix,
Nexium and Aciphex are a group of prescription acid reflux
medication that prevent the release of excessive acid in the stomach
and intestines. Health care professionals usually prescribe PPIs to
treat people with severe GERD symptoms or esophagitis, ulcers of the
stomach or intestine, or excess stomach acid.
Promotility agents such as Reglan or Maxolon are used to improve
GERD symptoms for patients with slow gastric emptying. They speed
digestion or increase the rate at which the stomach empties, which
prevents acid from staying in the stomach too long. But the use of
this acid reflux medication is limited by numerous and at times
severe side effects.
Conclusion
Health care professionals typically prefer treatments that use
requisite amount of acid reflux medication to control your symptoms
but not so much that side effects become a predicament.
As a final point, acid reflux medication combined with lifestyle
changes can do wonders for curing GERD, not to mention improve
overall body-fitness.
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