Antacid

Antacids are an over-the-counter medicine created to counter the symptoms of heartburn. Several kinds of antacids are commercially available, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Most antacids are best-suited for short-term symptom relief and may cause complications if overused. When long-term relief is necessary, doctors may prescribe one of several antacid alternatives.

What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn is a common illness characterized by a painful burning sensation in the chest, usually behind the sternum, which is the breast bone. Heartburn occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to close properly. The LES is located at the bottom of the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach. The LES opens to allow food to pass through during swallowing and closes to stop that food from reentering the esophagus. When the LES fails to close properly, the powerful acids used to break down food in the stomach may splash into the esophagus. This damages the esophagus, causing the painful burning associated with heartburn.

Heartburn may be exacerbated by a variety of unhealthy lifestyle habits. A large amount of abdominal body fat puts pressure on the stomach, causing more stomach acid to be squeezed into the esophagus. For this reason, many doctors advise overweight patients suffering from heartburn to lose weight for long-term relief instead of taking daily doses of antacids. Additionally, heartburn is often made worse by eating excessively large portions in a single sitting, as well as by lying down immediately after eating.

Most adults experience occasional heartburn. However, an estimated 14 percent to 20 percent of adults in the United States suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Sufferers of GERD experience heartburn several times a week. Those afflicted with severe GERD may experience heartburn every day. GERD is caused when the esophagus is exposed to stomach acid for a long period of time. Untreated GERD may result in esophageal scarring, difficulty swallowing, or open sores in the esophagus.

Types of Antacids

Antacids come in many forms, and function in a variety of different ways. While the earliest modern antacids were not created and sold until 1928, reports of heartburn and remedies for its symptoms can be traced back to ancient Greece. One Greek doctor recommended grinding coral into a powder, and then administering it in medicine. Surprisingly, coral has a high calcium content, which helps soothe the stomach. Coral powder may have functioned as a crude yet effective ancient antacid.

Sodium bicarbonate-based antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer and Bromo Seltzer, contain baking soda as their active ingredient. Baking soda reduces the amount of acid in the stomach. Sodium bicarbonate-based antacids are best for quick, temporary relief and should not be used to treat chronic heartburn. Overuse of sodium bicarbonate-based antacids may cause high blood pressure, nausea, bloating, or gas.

Calcium carbonate-based antacids, such as Tums, Alka-2, and Titralac, function by calming the stomach and helping the LES tighten more effectively. Like sodium bicarbonate-based antacids, they are best used for temporary relief. Overuse of calcium carbonate may cause constipation or kidney stones.

Aluminum-based antacids, such as Amphojel, are weaker and work more slowly than other types of antacids. Overuse of aluminum-based antacids may cause constipation, calcium loss, or kidney problems. Because of the calcium loss, women past menopause should consult their doctor before taking aluminum-based antacids.

Magnesium-based antacids, such as Milk of Magnesia, normally contain magnesium salts as their active ingredient. These salts have a mild laxative effect, which sometimes helps soothe stomach problems. For this reason, Magnesium-based antacids have a tendency to cause diarrhea.

Many antacids, including Maalox, Mylanta, and Riopan, combine aluminum and magnesium. These ingredients complement each other, reducing the likelihood of constipation and diarrhea, as well as providing both immediate and longer-lasting relief. Several of these medications are supplemented with the chemical simethicone, which helps break down gas bubbles in the stomach. On rare occasions, antacids may also be supplemented with a foaming agent. This creates a film that floats on top of the stomach acid, reducing the likelihood that the acid will splash into the esophagus.

Alternatives to Antacids

Antacids do not treat damage to the esophagus. If the esophagus has already sustained damage from stomach acids, the afflicted person will likely continue to experience pain and discomfort. However, antacids may stop further damage from occurring, giving the esophagus time to recover from its injuries. Eating and drinking acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and coffee drinks, will irritate a recovering esophagus, causing a person to suffer more pain.

When antacids fail to provide relief, doctors turn to other types of medications. They often prescribe H2-blockers to treat GERD. These medicines reduce the acidity of the stomach over a long period of time. While H2-blockers offer longer-lasting relief, they do not provide immediate relief. If H2-blockers provide no relief, doctors may prescribe proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump inhibitors reduce the production of the enzyme responsible for creating stomach acid, which reduces the amount of acid present in the stomach. If both of these medications fail, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

Bibliography

Cox, Lauren. "Acid Reflux (GERD): Symptoms & Treatment." Livescience. Purch. Web. 20 Nov. 2015. http://www.livescience.com/34727-gerd-heartburn-symptoms-treatment.html

EMedTV. "What Are the Different Types of Antacids?" EMedTV. Clinaero, Inc. Web. 20 Nov. 2015. http://gerd.emedtv.com/antacids/antacids-p2.html

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. "Antacids." International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Inc. Web. 20 Nov. 2015. http://www.iffgd.org/site/manage-your-health/diet-treatments/antacids

Oqbru, Omudhome. "Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)." MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet, Inc. Web. 20 Nov. 2015. http://www.medicinenet.com/proton-pump‗inhibitors/article.htm

WebMD. "Nonprescription Medicines and Products – Antacids and Acid Reducers." WebMD. WebMD, LLC. Web. 20 Nov. 2015. http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/nonprescription-medications-and-products-antacids-and-acid-reducers