Heartburn is a problem that plagues many people today. If you suffer from heartburn problems, there are many ways to treat the condition. Since there are a lot of medications available for heartburn patients, many people usually have a hard time choosing a specific type of medication that will work best for them. For you to get the right heartburn medication for your specific condition there are several issues that you first have to address.
For one, you will have to determine what exactly is aggravating your digestive system for these attacks to occur. The primary cause of heartburn attacks is eating meals which have high acidic and fat levels. If you want your medication to work, then you should get rid of food that has been fried in fat or has spices or citric acid.
Once you have figured out the cause of your heartburn you can go ahead and get medication for it. You should think about seeing a doctor if your heartburn problem is too severe. The different kinds of heartburn prescriptions and over the counter drugs are antacids, H2 blockers, Proton Pump inhibitors and Prevacid and HCL related remedies.
Antacids are very effective in offering instant relief to heartburn pains and discomforts. The antacids normally act as a neutralizing agent for the stomach acids that cause heartburn. This heartburn medication is made from alkalis such as calcium carbonate, aluminum carbonate and magnesium carbonate. These substances help to neutralize the acidic situation in the stomach. Antacids should not be used too much as they can cause bigger problems. Use them sparingly and you will see the results.
H2 blockers are those heartburn drugs that stop the production of HCL in the stomach. If you want to realize the best results using this medication, ask your doctor to recommend a dosage. These drugs can take as little as one hour to take effect, which lasts for about 12 hours. Do not over use H2 blockers because an overdose can cause worse problems that the heartburn you are experiencing.
The other type of heartburn medicine that is frequently used is the HCL related drugs. Apart from to much acid, another cause of heartburns is the lack of the acid. Lack of enough HCL acid in the stomach can cause food that is already in the stomach to ferment which results in heartburn attacks. When your heartburn is a result of lack of HCL acid, then the best medication for you would be drugs that contain HCL. You can also find HCL rich supplements off the shelves.
Prevacid and the drugs known as Proton pump inhibitors are also a recommended Heartburn medication. Proton pump inhibitors contain substances that actually inhibit the production of HCL acid in the stomach. Though these drugs are very effective in reducing heartburn occurrences, they also cause a few side effects such as stomach pains and discomfort, nausea as well as diarrhea. You should therefore seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
Natural remedies for heartburn problems can also be taken together with medical prescriptions and over the counter drugs. Aloe vera, ginger root, basil leaves, marshmallow roots, chamomile tea, raw cabbage and cinnamon offer relief to heartburn.
It is important to understand how each of the heartburn medication options works before you take them. Some of these medications cause side effects which you should know about. There are some people who cannot use certain heartburn drugs since they might interfere with their current medication or conditions. You doctor will help you determine whether or not certain heartburn medication is right for you.