Treat Acid Reflux With Acid Reducers
August 1st, 2011 | 
Author: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as acid reflux, is a stomach dysfunction that involves the leaking of fluids from the stomach to the esophagus. Acid Reflux has many known symptoms. Some of these symptoms include swollen throat glands and pain, heartburn, impeded swallowing and breathing. A few acid reflux sufferers only experience these symptoms after meals or at bedtime. However, there are the unlucky majority who constantly suffer from the aforementioned symptoms. This constant suffering can cause disorders that are more serious. For example, persistent acid reflux sufferers are more susceptible to Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer. To stop acid reflux from escalating from a nuisance to a serious disease, acid reflux sufferers should take medication.
Typical acid reflux medication will regulate the stomach’s gastric acid. Since acid reflux is usually caused by too much pepsin and digestive fluids in the stomach, it is often treated the same as an ulcer or gastritis.
Acid reflux is most commonly treated by antacids. Antacids serve to relieve the symptoms for people with acid reflux. However, there are some drawbacks. Antacids can only work temporarily and will only work on mild cases of acid reflux.
Acid reducers are much more effective than antacids. Acid reducers are often referred to as H2 blockers or H2 receptor antagonists . Acid reducers actually decrease the strength and occurrences of heartburn and acid reflux symptoms. Unlike antacids, which only work for a couple of hours, acid reducers can stave off acid reflux for the whole day. Acid reducers are available in prescription strength and over the counter.
Also, one can take acid reducers for any length of time. Ranitidine is the acid reducer that is most often described. Ranitidine is quite useful in cases of acid reflux that is not complex. In fact, ranitidine can vanquish acid reflux symptoms of most people after a six week course. Cimetidine or Famotidine is prescribed for more serious cases of acid reflux. Ongoing treatment with acid reducers usually reveals mild side effects. Some examples of these side effects include headache, exhaustion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. Fortunately, reducing or suspending the acid reducer, as a treatment will cause the symptoms to disappear.
Acid reducers will not work for every person who has acid reflux disease. Acid reducers will not usually work on esophagitis or Garrett’s esophagus. In these cases, proton pump inhibitors are often prescribed. Proton pump inhibitors block the stomach’s gastric acid production temporarily.
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