The majority of people have experienced heartburn at some point in their lives. This unpleasant sensation can be caused by a variety of factors and if it happens rarely and doesn’t affect the quality of your life, it’s not something to worry about. At the same time, there is no need to suffer if you are prone to heartburns. There are many effective medications that can help you avoid heartburn after meals.
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Heartburn And What Causes This Problem
Heartburn is characterized by the burning sensation that is experienced in the chest behind your breastbone. A person experiencing heartburn will often notice increase production of saliva and acidic or bitter taste in the mouth. In most cases, heartburn occurs right after a meal and can also be worsened if you lay done after eating or exercise. Heartburn is especially common at night when a person’s body is in a horizontal position.
A person gets heartburn when stomach acid goes up the esophagus, which is the tube through which food passes from your mouth to your stomach where it can be digested. Stomach acid plays an essential role in proper digestion but can cause erosion and uncomfortable sensation when it travels up to your esophagus.
Chronic heartburn is referred to as GERD – gastroesophageal reflux disease. Such a problem can severely affect a person’s life and quality of sleep and requires undergoing diagnostic procedures and treatment. GERD includes more severe symptoms compared to occasional heartburn and can include bad breath, chest pain, breathing difficulties, and more.
In this case, over-the-counter heartburn drugs may not be enough and you need to consult a specialist. If you start getting heartburn more than twice a week and you also get other gastroenterological symptoms, it’s time to visit a doctor.
Non-prescription Drugs For Heartburn Relief
If you are someone who gets occasional heartburn, it’s a great idea to have a heartburn medication at your house. In this case, you won’t have to suffer or run to the nearest drugstore at the most inconvenient time.
When it comes to non-prescription heartburn medications that you can easily purchase online and offline, there are three categories – antacids, histamine blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.
What Are Antacids?
Drugs in the group of antacids are created to neutralize the acid developed by your stomach. As a result, you will get relief from heartburn and acid indigestion. Most commonly, the chemical compound used in antacids is calcium carbonate. The medication neutralizing effect by affecting the pH levels in your stomach. When using an antacid to relieve heartburn, you are able to get quick results, as the drug starts working in your stomach immediately after you take it.
Some of the popular drugs in this category include the following:
- Rolaids
- Tums
- Pepto-Bismol
- Alka-Seltzer
- Gaviscon
- Alternagel
- Gelusil
- Mylanta
It’s important to read how each drug has to be consumed. Such heartburn medications should be consumed only when needed – when you start experiencing symptoms or when you suspect that you will soon get heartburn. In general, they are taken after meals, which is the time when people tend to experience heartburn.
Histamine Blockers – Another Effective Drug Category
Another category of medications that can be used to get rid of heartburn is called histamine blockers. Such drugs work by blocking a form of histamine in the body and this, in turn, leads to a decrease in the production of stomach acid. Thanks to such influence, stomach acid can no longer reach the esophagus and thus doesn’t cause burning sensations associated with heartburn.
Medications in this category that can be purchased online and offline are:
- Zantac
- Tagamet
- Axid AR
- Pepcid
Proton Pump Inhibitors – Longer Relief From Heartburn
The third group of heartburn meds that should be mentioned includes proton pump inhibitors. The role of proton pumps in the body is to keep normal levels of acid in the stomach. The problem is that such pumps can become irritated due to the consumption of certain foods. Proton pump inhibitors are designed to block the action of proton pumps that produce stomach acid and they help minimize the amount of acid.
Drugs in this category that are often used to treat heartburn include:
- Prevacid
- Nexium
- Prilosec
What makes such drugs different from antacids is that they are not intended for immediate heartburn relief. Those suffering from frequent heartburn are prescribed a treatment course using a proton-pump inhibitor. The average duration of treatment is 14 days. While the PPI drugs don’t work immediately, they provide longer relief, which is great for people who get heartburn often.
Get a timely refill for your go-to heartburn drug, and you are all set for when the acidity strikes. The upside of getting stock in one bigger batch is bigger savings, and Canadian Meds Pharmacy is where you can save biggest on refills, and always be certain in the quality of the products you are getting, the pharmaceutical guidance that accompanies it, and a reliable delivery service.
Choosing The Right Drug For You
Occasional heartburn is something that can be easily treated with the help of over-the-counter drugs. Because there is no need for a prescription, you can buy such drugs online and save your money. It’s essential to be careful when buying drugs online so that you buy only high-quality products and avoid dealing with fake ones. Once you decide on the drug, you can select the right quantity.
It’s important to note that if you don’t get relief from taking mentioned heartburn medications, you need to consult a medical professional. It may be that you require a different approach to your treatment, a combination of several drugs, or a higher dosage. Such factors can be determined by a medical specialist so if you don’t get results in 2 weeks, it’s best to not postpone your visit to a doctor.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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