Taking Acid Reflux Medication
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios

Defined Tag: 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.

BIG Mike is a well known author, developer and Adsense expert as well as the owner of Niche Maniacs - a unique Adsense Marketing System designed to build long-term passive income streams from Adsense, YPN, Chitika and other PPC services.