Medicaments for Acid Reflux: the FACTS about Acid Reflux Medicaments
Jeff Martin
April 11, 2008
Usually, after swallowing, the LES or lower esophageal sphincter opens to let food pass to the stomach and then shuts to stop acid from returning into the esophagus. Heartburn, also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), comes about when the valve in the esophagus (the LES) loses its strength and instead of blocking in the other direction, lets stomach content go back into the esophagus. Acid reflux patients experience a particular burning feeling under the breastbone, often coming at night. It is this backward flow of acid coming from this acid reflux and resulting in a burning sensation that is called heartburn.
Acid reflux is a dangerous condition requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment. If neglected, acid reflux can badly damage the lining of the esophagus causing chronic inflammation and possibly even cancer of the esophagus. Persistent acid reflux with its common symptoms of heartburn can be distressing and painful enough to handicap your daily activities and significantly impact the esophagus.
Acid reflux medicaments are not necessarily the best remedy, even if they appear to be the most readily available treatment for heartburn. There are four principal sets of acid reflux medicaments for use with acid reflux:
1. Antacids take effect by neutralizing acid in the esophagus and do this for up to a few hours. They can be bought in different formats such as liquid, chewing gum or tablets and so on.
2. Alginates "wrap up " the stomach contents and lessen reflux.
3. H2-receptor antagonists block your gastric system by imitating the production of acid in the stomach. Their effect can be for up to twelve hours and they begin to work half an hour to one hour after you take them.
4. PPI (Proton pump inhibitors) inhibit the cells in the stomach releasing the stomach acid.
These medicaments all have a common element, even if they vary in the way in which they work, as well as for their duration and effect:
1. They are of temporary effect. Acid reflux is complicated, being created by a group of factors of the environment, lifestyle and diet. However, most acid reflux medicaments focus on treating the immediate short-term causes of acid reflux, so they only bring temporary relief and sidestep the real causes of heartburn.
2. Long-term use of these drugs can also cause many different side effects. PPI therapy is usually more negative than positive concerning side effects. The most frequent ones include bad headaches and diarrhea, and PPI has also been suspected in cases of osteoporosis. The prolonged intake of antacids can worsen the damage from acid reflux: gastric acid is needed for both immunity and good digestion and abuse of antacids harms both processes.
Most medications for acid reflux will do no more than bring temporary respite but with many side effects. This is because conventional medication therapy for heartburn is based on the approach that, in comparison to the holistic approach, does not care for the body, but seeks only to remove the disease's symptoms. Alternative treatments for acid reflux such as homeopathic solutions, changes in lifestyle and diet, herbal remedies, and detoxification, will sort out the cause inside of acid reflux to safely and effectively prevent it from returning.
Jeff Martin is a medical researcher, certified nutritionist, health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Heartburn No More- Open The Door To an Acid Reflux Free Life". Jeff has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
To Learn More About Jeff Martinīs Unique 5-Step Holistic Acid Reflux Cure System Visit: Heartburn No More.
For further information visit: Acid Reflux Medication
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