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Information on Acid indigestion and Heartburn
After you eat or drink, it's normal for your stomach to produce acid to help digestion. But certain things like overeating, eating
too fast, spicy or fatty foods, alcohol and tobacco can result in excess acid. That's what causes sour stomach, stomach upset (acid indigestion) or the burning sensation (heartburn) that starts in the stomach and moves
up through the upper chest into the throat.
In most cases, acid indigestion and heartburn can be reduced in frequency or stopped altogether by simple changes in diet, lifestyle, and the use of antacids or acid
controllers.
Heartburn symptoms occur when acid moves from its natural place in the stomach up into the food pipe or esophagus, causing burning pains. Heartburn can be felt as a burning pain under the breastbone
or at the bottom of the esophagus. Other symptoms include general discomfort and an uncomfortable feeling of fullness; all these symptoms can interfere with everyday activities. What causes heartburn?
Normally, the food you eat is swallowed and passes through the esophagus into the stomach. Once in the stomach, a circular band of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, called
the lower esophageal sphincter, closes and prevents food and stomach juices from re-entering the esophagus. If the sphincter relaxes abnormally or becomes weakened, stomach acid can wash back up (reflux) in the
esophagus and cause irritation.
While it's normal for the stomach to produce acid, especially after you eat, certain factors can cause excess acid or acid in the wrong place. What kinds of medicine relieve heartburn?
There are three kinds of medicine used for heartburn relief:
Antacids:
Antacids work by neutralizing acid in the stomach. Antacids neutralize acid on contact, providing fast, soothing relief within minutes.
Acid Reducers:
Also known as acid controllers, acid reducers reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach. Acid reducers go directly to the source of the stomach acid and inhibit acid production, the underlying cause of heartburn and acid indigestion. By lowering the rate of acid being released into the stomach before a meal, acid reducers can also prevent symptoms of heartburn. Acid reducers last for up to 12 hours, thus providing long lasting relief.
Proton-Pump Inhibitors:
Proton-pump inhibitors are also known as PPIs. They are obtainable only by prescription. They work by inhibiting the acid-producing cells in the stomach. Proton-pump inhibitors can cost more than twice as much as prescription acid reducers, depending on the dose.
I have heartburn regularly. Is something else wrong with me?
If you suffer from heartburn at least once a week, especially if your heartburn is severe or prolonged, consult your doctor.
If symptoms persist longer than two weeks, you
should consult your doctor. Symptoms lasting longer than two weeks may indicate a more serious underlying problem.
Researchers have found a strong link between heartburn and cancer of the esophagus. The risk of
developing a certain type of esophageal cancer, called esophageal adenocarcinoma, is more than 7 times higher among people who regularly suffer heartburn. Not all people with acid reflux will get esophageal cancer. But
anything that causes such a large increase in risk shouldn't be ignored. Intense symptoms such as vomiting or regurgitating blood, inhaling stomach contents while sleeping, or severe chest pain that lasts more than 15
minutes and does not respond to treatment - require immediate attention. (Note: Severe chest pain may also be a sign of heart disease or a heart attack.)
Medications for Acid indigestion and Heartburn
Tagamet (Cimetidine), Zantac (RanitidineHCL), and
Pepcidine (Famotidine)
are H2 receptor antagonists. They inhibit gastric acid secretion and reduced pepsin out put. They also have Cytoprotective properties. They are indicated in:
- The treatment of duodenal and benign gastric ulcer; gastroesophageal reflex disease (including conditions e.g. Heartburn and peptic esophagitis) ; recurrent ulceration of the upper gastrointestinal tract; stomal
ulceration and other conditions where reduction of gastric acid secretion has been shown to be beneficial.
- Prevention of recurrence of duodenal ulcer or benign gastric ulcer.
- Prevention and treatment of stress ulcer in critically ill patients at risk of hemorrhage ; management of pathological hypersecretion. (e.g. Zollinger Ellison Syndrome)
- Treatment of NSAID induced lesions (ulcer, erosions) and gastrointestinal Symptoms.
- Prevention of lesion recurrence in patients needing continual NSAID therapy.
- They have cytoprotective properties and therefore, have beneficial effect in maintaining the integrity of the gastric mucosal barrier.
Losec(Omperazole) and Prevacid(Lansoperazole)
are ' proton punp inhibitors' The promote healing of ulcer in stomach,duodenum and esophagus. They are of particular value in the treatment of patients who donot respond adequately to H2 receptor antagonist, especially with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Cytotec has properties in animals and humans that strengthen the intergriry of the mucosal barrier against damaging agents.
Cytotec
inhibits daytime and nocturnal basal gastric acid secretion and acid secretion stimulated by histamine, food and coffee . |
