Author: MJT
How to know which Heartburn Medicine is Right for You
Heartburn is a condition that nearly everyone suffers from
at one time or another. In the majority of cases, heartburn is not considered a
serious condition and can be treated effectively at home with over the counter
medications. If heartburn becomes a more persistent or chronic condition, you
may decide to visit your doctor to ensure that you are not suffering any
permanent damage to your esophagus as a result, and to find more effective
heartburn medicines to treat your condition. The key to comfort in the case of
heartburn is to find the best heartburn medicine that will meet your individual
needs.
Over the Counter Heartburn Medicines
Most people that suffer from occasional heartburn will be
able to treat the symptoms effectively with the large selection of over the
counter (OTC) medications available. The most common medicine to start with is
the antacids, such as Maalox or Rolaids. These heartburn medicines work by
neutralizing the acid in the stomach, which can bring quick and effective
relief to the occasional heartburn sufferer. However, if you experience
frequent or chronic heartburn, these heartburn medicines will not be able to treat
or heal an esophagus that has been damaged by recurring exposure to the stomach
acids.
If you know that certain foods are going to cause your
heartburn symptoms to flare up, another choice in heartburn medicine is an
H-2-receptor blocker. These medications go by names like Tagamet or Pepcid, and
used to be available by prescription only. Now heartburn sufferers can find
these medications at OTC doses that can be highly effective in curbing
heartburn symptoms. Instead of neutralizing the acid like antacids do, these
heartburn medicines actually reduce the amount of acid that the stomach
produces. They are generally not as quick as the antacids, but can be highly
effective in preventing heartburn symptoms, and will last for a longer period
of time.
If you have experienced frequent heartburn that has caused
damage to your esophagus, another OTC heartburn medicine that you can try is a
proton pump inhibitor, like Prilosec. This is another prescription heartburn
medicine that is now available in OTC strength. This medication actually blocks
the production of acid, in order to allow your esophagus time to heal from the
damage that has been done. If you think that you need this type of heartburn
medicine, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor first to determine the
extent of damage to your esophagus.
Heartburn can be an uncomfortable condition to deal with,
particularly if you experience the symptoms on a frequent basis. The good news
is that there are plenty of good OTC heartburn medicines that can effectively
treat your symptoms and allow you to enjoy more pain-free days and nights.
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