|
|
|
How Acid Reflux Medications Work
How Acid Reflux Medications Work
If you have been suffering fromHow To Deal With Your Acid RefluxHow to Deal with Your Acid Reflux Dealing with acid reflux is never easy in the beginning. Many people do not even know what they are ..... How Acid Reflux Medications Work
If you have been suffering from heartburn or acid reflux symptoms for a while, you should definitely see your doctor. In fact, you might
want to visit several types of doctors. Aside from your general physician, consulting specialists like internists and gastroenterologists
may be beneficial to you. Internists are doctors who specialize in internal medicine while gastroenterologists treat ailments of the
stomach and the intestines. Between these two medical professionals, you should be able to come up with an idea of what ails you, as
well as what can be done to alleviate the symptoms that you suffer from. Most of the time, acid reflux sufferers will have to make a few
simple lifestyle changes, but in the more serious cases, surgery may be required.
Some of the lifestyle changes you can make to control acid reflux include the following:
Eating smaller meals. Smaller portions consumed at regular intervals are less likely to induce a bout of indigestion or heartburn.
Avoid acidic and high-fat foods. Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits increase the chances of an acid reflux bout. High-fat foods like
chocolate and ice cream are likewise risky.
Stop smoking. The four thousand harmful compounds on tobacco smoke will always assure you of poorer health overall.
Stop drinking. Like citrus products, alcohol is very acidic, and is very much capable of upsetting the delicate balance of your stomach.
Alcohol, when taken excessively, also impairs the general functioning of the body and mind.
Lose weight if needed. Generally, slimmer people are healthier then well-proportioned ones. Losing a few pounds will most likely improve
your overall condition, even when it comes to indigestion.
Wear loose-fitting clothes. Make sure you are able to breathe well, and are relatively comfortable.
Avoid lying down for 3 hours after a meal. Raise the head of your bed by about five to seven inches.
Acid Reflux Medication
There is a wide variety of acid reflux medicine available, so you should learn about how each one works and how it affects your body.
Examples of acid reflux medication include:
Antacids
Antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepto-Bismol, Rolaids, and Riopan, are drugs that are used to neutralize the acids in
your stomach. Most antacids come with three different salts – aluminum, calcium, and magnesium. Most antacids simply combine
these salts using different dosages and formulations. Combined with bicarbonate ions, these salts serve to render harmless the acids in
your stomach, at least for a period of time. But beware: Antacids can cause constipation, especially when taken excessively.
Foaming agents
Foaming agents, such as Gaviscon, prevent acid reflux by covering your stomach with foam. Usually, these drugs are only prescribed to
those who have suffered little or no damage to their esophagus because if acid reflux.
H2 blockers
H2 blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), nizatidine (Axid AR), and ranitidine (Zantac 75), are
substances that slow down the production of acids. H2 blockers have been proven to be very effective when it comes to providing
short-term relief, but they do not work for everyone and must not be sued for more than a few consecutive weeks. H2 blockers are often
more effective when taken before sleeping in combination with a proton pump inhibitor.
Proton pump inhibitors
These include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and esomeprazole
(Nexium). All these drugs are available with a prescription. Proton pump inhibitors are more effective than H2 blockers and can help just
about everyone suffering from acid reflux. or acid reflux symptoms for a while, you should definitely see your doctor. In fact, you might
want to visit several types of doctors. Aside from your general physician, consulting specialists like internists and gastroenterologists
may be beneficial to you. Internists are doctors who specialize in internal medicine while gastroenterologists treat ailments of the
stomach and the intestines. Between these two medical professionals, you should be able to come up with an idea of what ails you, as
well as what can be done to alleviate the symptoms that you suffer from. Most of the time, acid reflux sufferers will have to make a few
simple lifestyle changes, but in the more serious cases, surgery may be required.
Some of the lifestyle changes you can make to control acid reflux include the following:
Eating smaller meals. Smaller portions consumed at regular intervals are less likely to induce a bout of indigestion or heartburn.
Avoid acidic and high-fat foods. Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits increase the chances of an acid reflux bout. High-fat foods like
chocolate and ice cream are likewise risky.
Stop smoking. The four thousand harmful compounds on tobacco smoke will always assure you of poorer health overall.
Stop drinking. Like citrus products, alcohol is very acidic, and is very much capable of upsetting the delicate balance of your stomach.
Alcohol, when taken excessively, also impairs the general functioning of the body and mind.
Lose weight if needed. Generally, slimmer people are healthier then well-proportioned ones. Losing a few pounds will most likely improve
your overall condition, even when it comes to indigestion.
Wear loose-fitting clothes. Make sure you are able to breathe well, and are relatively comfortable.
Avoid lying down for 3 hours after a meal. Raise the head of your bed by about five to seven inches.
Acid Reflux Medication
There is a wide variety of acid reflux medicine available, so you should learn about how each one works and how it affects your body.
Examples of acid reflux medication include:
Antacids
Antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepto-Bismol, Rolaids, and Riopan, are drugs that are used to neutralize the acids in
your stomach. Most antacids come with three different salts – aluminum, calcium, and magnesium. Most antacids simply combine
these salts using different dosages and formulations. Combined with bicarbonate ions, these salts serve to render harmless the acids in
your stomach, at least for a period of time. But beware: Antacids can cause constipation, especially when taken excessively.
Foaming agents
Foaming agents, such as Gaviscon, prevent acid reflux by covering your stomach with foam. Usually, these drugs are only prescribed to
those who have suffered little or no damage to their esophagus because if acid reflux.
H2 blockers
H2 blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), nizatidine (Axid AR), and ranitidine (Zantac 75), are
substances that slow down the production of acids. H2 blockers have been proven to be very effective when it comes to providing
short-term relief, but they do not work for everyone and must not be sued for more than a few consecutive weeks. H2 blockers are often
more effective when taken before sleeping in combination with a proton pump inhibitor.
Proton pump inhibitors
These include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and esomeprazole
(Nexium). All these drugs are available with a prescription. Proton pump inhibitors are more effective than H2 blockers and can help just
about everyone suffering from acid reflux.
| |
|
Medical Disclaimer
The authors of e-books, newsletters and other site content of MedicalEnglishSite.com are competent, experienced writers or health care specialists within their own field. They have taken every opportunity to ensure all information produced is correct and up to date at time of writing. No documentation on this site has been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and no documentation on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Any information given on MedicalEnglishSite.com is to be used for educational and information purposes only. It should never be substituted for the medical advice from your own doctor or other health care professionals. MedicalEnglishSite.com is not responsible or liable for any self or third party diagnosis made by visitors based on the content of this website. Neither does MedicalEnglishSite.com in any way endorse any commercial products or services linked from other websites to this website. Please always consult your doctor or health care specialist if you are in any way concerned about your health.
We do not dispense medical advice, prescribe drugs or diagnose any illnesses with our literature
Medical English (c) Acid Reflux 2006 - Author List - Sitemap
|