Heartburn occurs due to excessive acid in the stomach that goes up to the esophagus, making you feel nauseous and experience chest pains. Although heartburn can disrupt daily activities because of severe pain, you can easily treat this condition using a variety of heartburn medications available in the market today.
When looking around for heartburn medication, many people get confused about the plethora of options available. Since there is no general medication for heartburn, you should understand that the best heartburn medication for you might not be effective to other people.
Choosing the best heartburn medication will depend on factors such as symptoms, duration of heartburn, pain level during a heartburn episode, when the episodes occur and other heartburn medications you used before that could not treat your condition.
When you shop around for heartburn treatments, be aware that over-the-counter medications are not for everyone. Since some drugs could cause harmful side effects or interact with other drugs or supplements you’re taking, it is best that you consult your doctor before taking any non-prescription medications for heartburn.
Heartburn Medications: Know your Options
When looking for heartburn medications, you have to consider that each kind of drug work for different levels of heartburn. For this reason, it is best that you understand each kind of heartburn medication before taking them.

The most used treatment for heartburn are antacids.  These over-the-counter medications for heartburn help in neutralizing stomach acid that is the main cause of heartburn. Antacids work best for people who experience heartburn occasionally. Although they act quickly, the effects don’t last long. Therefore, after a fatty or spicy meal, it is best to take antacids to prevent heartburn episodes.

Another heartburn medication is H2 blockers (Histamine 2 Receptor antagonists). These over-the-counter medications help in reducing acid production by “blocking” the signals that tell your stomach to make excess acid. The effects of h2 blockers can last up to twelve hours and could prevent the symptoms associated with heartburn. However, you will not feel the results immediately after taking them because they need to enter your bloodstream for the medication to take effect.

The last type of heartburn medication is PPIs (or Proton Pump Inhibitors). PPIs work by blocking the actions of your cells that pumps acid into your stomach. These over-the-counter medicines could last up to 24 hours. This kind of drug is ideal for people who experience frequent heartburn episodes. However, PPIs could cause side effects or interact with other drugs.

When choosing heartburn medication, experts do not recommend on buying without consulting your doctor, even if you know what each drug can do. When you experience heartburn, ask your doctor about possible treatment options based on your condition.

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