Medications For Treating Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is a condition in which the patient mainly experiences a burning sensation in their lower chest. t is a prevalent condition that can occur to anyone. However, if the symptoms last more than a week, it may lead to the symptoms getting severe or complicated. Therefore, it is best to let the doctor handle it at the onset of the disease before any acid reflux medication is taken.
A person with acid regurgitation has to face undesirable sour taste in their mouth. This is caused by acid that flows up back to the throat, heartburn, frequent hiccups, bloating, bad breath, and prolonged cough. As a consequence of a sore throat, their voice becomes raspy.
It starts when the acidic juices in your stomach go back to your esophagus. If this movement of acid in the opposite direction occurs often, it is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
In most cases, lifestyle factors contribute to this condition. Furthermore, a person of any age may suffer from this disease. Other causes that increase GERD possibilities include obesity, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, and several connective tissue disorders.
Acid Reflux Medication for Babies
As mentioned before, acid reflux can affect any age group. However, infants are more likely to experience it as their lower end sphincter (that plays a crucial part in the transportation of acid) is underdeveloped.
In addition to that, overfeeding and lying in the same flat position can also cause this condition. The symptoms include loss of appetite, puking, breathlessness, weight loss, frequent coughing, difficulty in sleeping, etc.
Even though acid reflux is prevalent in babies, it may stunt your child’s growth if it is not treated correctly. Usually, doctors prescribe proton pump inhibitors for infants. As it works on an empty stomach, you should give it to them before food.
Safest Acid Reflux Medication
very person reacts in a certain way in response to a medication. Antacids and alginate drugs provide relief, but they also have adverse effects. Because those side effects are not life-threatening, we can count them as safer options.
Alginate drugs, like Gaviscon, coat the stomach and prevent it from the damage caused by acid reflux. On the other hand, antacid contains elements like calcium and aluminum hydroxides useful for soothing symptoms of acid reflux. Both of these drugs are shown to be highly effective when combined with other medications used for a similar purpose.
OTC Acid Reflux Medication
There are several over the counter acid reflux medications that you can use to treat acid reflux. You should, however, keep in mind that every medicine works differently for everybody. An acid reflux medication usually curbs the production of acid in the stomach.
Generally, antacids are readily available in the markets with different brand names. We can use them to ease the symptoms, but they don’t repair or block acid production. You should take them after eating a meal to avoid chest discomfort.
That being said, if they are overused, they may cause constipation or diarrhea.
Also, antacids are used in combination with some H2 blockers and proton inhibitor pumps. This is because it increases the efficacy of the medication.
Side Effect
Effect of Acid Reflux on the Throat
We know that, in acid reflux, a strong acid that is formed to breakdown food comes up to the throat, due to which its tissues are damaged. The patient may encounter irritation, pain, and difficulty in swallowing food due to inflammation. With such discomfort, it is very tough to eat, sleep, or perform your daily activities. It happens if acid reflux reaches the upper esophageal sphincter.
Similarly, acid reflux can also affect your voice, making it sound breathy, strained, and leaving an acidic taste in your mouth. Acid can cause ulcers in the tissue lining of the esophagus. These damages are linked with an increased probability of esophageal cancer.
According to research, in western countries, more than 20 percent of people face this condition. Lying down immediately or after one or two hours after eating food are the most common things that trigger acid reflux. You can prevent it by changing some of your lifestyle habits.
Side Effects of Acid Reflux Medication
Taking the medicines, as mentioned earlier for a long time, may expose you to some other ailments. Antacid contains substances that can cause constipation, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. In contrast, if you overuse or overdose on H2 blockers, you will face side-effects like constipation, diarrhea, sleeplessness, dryness, headaches, etc. Recently, a cancer-causing H2 receptor blocker was identified and removed from the market.
People who have other underlined issues should never use PPI for more than a few weeks. Recent studies have suggested that long term use may cause adverse effects. The side-effects include risk of bone fractures, Clostridium difficile watery stools, vitamin B12 deficiency, kidney disorders, pneumonia, and memory loss.
Best Prescribed Acid Reflux Medication
We suggest you make an appointment with a doctor if the symptoms are persistent even after trying alternative treatments that were discussed above. The medications block acid production for a period, which helps in accelerating the healing process.
Many people use H2 receptor blockers as they provide more extended relief. These medications lower the production of acid for several hours. Famotidine (Pepcid) and nizatidine are generally used because they are well-tolerated if used carefully.
Millions of people use proton pump inhibitors because the risk of side effects is low, and they are proved to be useful for such disorders. Esomeprazole, lansoprazole, and omeprazole are used under brand names Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium, respectively. These are prescribed to patients who show severe symptoms.
Remember, these are high strength medications, so you should never use them without asking your doctor.
Acid Reflux Medicine: Omeprazole
Omeprazole is used to treat disorders that are related to the stomach. It has a history of treating stomach ulcers. Besides that, it is widely used all over the globe for many years due to its effectiveness in curing indigestion and heartburn.
It is available in many forms because all age groups use it. Only those who are allergic to it or who have liver ailments should not consume it. Patients who are on omeprazole don’t show any side effects. However, if you experience any adverse effects, it is often mild and will go away when you stop taking it.
If your symptoms are not cured after a few days, you must assume that you need the special care of a doctor.
How To Cure GERD Permanently
Fortunately, GERD can be treated by medications. Also, the adoption of some healthy practices such home remedies can help in relieving the symptoms. Nevertheless, GERD is a severe condition that shouldn’t be left untreated for long.
There are surgical treatments that are used to cure GERD if the medications are not working for you. In the surgical procedure, a ring-like device that is made up of metal is used. The device is called a LINX device. It is made of titanium wires, and it is placed outside the esophagus. It prevents the acid from traveling back to the throat.
In another surgical method, the objective is to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter by wrapping the top of your stomach. This method is called the Fundoplication. By this operation, the stomach muscles are tightened, which prevents reflux.
Recently, a new procedure has been introduced, which is entirely non-invasive. The process is known as Transoral incision-less fundoplication. As the name suggests, it is performed with the help of an endoscope that enters the body through the mouth. Polypropylene fasteners are used to tighten the LES by creating a partial wrap around it.
Foods That Acid Reflux Patients Should Avoid
A balanced diet plays an essential role in minimizing the symptoms of acid reflux. Certain foods are known to cause problems, and you should eliminate them from your diet. For instance, people with acid reflux may observe their symptoms acting up after they eat spicy food.
Food that contains high-fat content, such as fried food, various dairy products, and sugary products, should be avoided. Likewise, you should cut down your caffeine intake as it increases the acidic content of the stomach. Many studies showed us that chocolate relaxes our muscles, which can also trigger acid reflux.
The benefits of fruits are known to many, but we advise the patients to stay away from citrus fruits, for example, lemon, orange, tomato, grapefruit, etc. Mint may also bother you more than any citrus fruit, so if you have a habit of eating breath mints and chewing gums, get rid of it.
Final Words
By now, you have understood that there are many lifestyle moderations and medications to treat acid reflux. If your symptoms are not cured after a few days, it is best to assume that you need the special care of a doctor.
Apart from that, before consuming anything for the first time, you should ask a professional to make sure that you’re not allergic to it. For further safety, don’t use these medications for more than 2 to 3 weeks.