For heartburn after eating, doctors most often recommend antacids. These are medicines that neutralize the acid in the stomach. The chemical reaction produces salt and water.
Antacids are Classified as Absorbable and Non-Absorbable.
The most famous absorbable antacid is regular baking soda. From the pharmacy, you can name Rennie, Tams. Baking soda neutralizes hydrochloric acid very quickly, but its effect ends just as quickly (15-30 minutes after ingestion).
Frequent “Extinguishing” with Heartburn Soda is Dangerous:
- influence on electrolyte metabolism (this can lead, for example, to the occurrence of edema and increased blood pressure, the formation of kidney stones)
- the phenomenon of “rebound” or “recoil” (the secretion of gastric juice builds up again very quickly)
Therefore, soda can be used only as an ambulance, one-time. It is contraindicated in edema, heart failure, renal failure, cirrhosis, hypertension.
Examples of Non-Absorbable Antacids are:
- phosphalugel
- maalox
- almagel
- talcid
- hastal
- topalkan, etc.
Nonabsorbable antacids can act for up to 2.5–3 hours. They are devoid of the disadvantages of their absorbed counterparts. And they often have additional medicinal properties (for example, they bind bile acids, eliminate flatulence). True, they do not begin to act immediately, but after about 7-10 minutes. This is because non-absorbable drugs dissolve more slowly.
The Main Component of Heartburn Remedies are Metal Salts:
- calcium (Rennie, Tams)
- aluminum (Phosphalugel)
- combined drugs (for example, aluminum with magnesium or magnesium with calcium, etc.) Combined drugs are maalox, talcid, almagel neo.
Calcium carbonate antacids neutralize hydrochloric acid in the stomach, producing large amounts of carbon dioxide. This can lead to flatulence and belching. Aluminum-based products can cause constipation, and magnesium-based products can cause diarrhea. Therefore, at present, experts recommend giving preference to combined drugs. In addition to metal salts, they also contain additional components. For example, simethicone for the prevention of flatulence or sorbitol for the prevention of constipation. A significant disadvantage of combined drugs is their price. They tend to be more expensive than single-ingredient drugs.
Medicines for heartburn are recommended to be chosen taking into account the cause of the ailment and the nature of the stool. So, with a tendency to constipation, experts recommend drugs with a predominance of aluminum (for example, phosphalugel). And with a tendency to constipation – drugs with a predominance of magnesium (rennie). Sometimes, to normalize the stool, you have to alternate the intake of different drugs.
Heartburn drugs are used to prevent and treat gastroesophageal reflux. This is because neutralizing the acid increases the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (muscle clamp between the esophagus and stomach).
Antacids can be taken immediately when heartburn occurs or 1 hour after a meal. If you take the medicine 1 hour after a meal, the neutralizing effect will last longer, up to 3 hours.
The most popular forms of heartburn remedies are suspensions and tablets. Suspensions dissolve faster than tablets, respectively, begin to act faster. If you often have to take drugs for heartburn, experts recommend staying on suspensions. You can take pills during the day, and use suppositories at home.
To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, the heartburn medication tablet must be chewed thoroughly and washed down with a glass of water.
Antacids significantly reduce the effectiveness of other drugs. Therefore, experts recommend taking your heartburn medicine 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking another medicine.
Another group of drugs for heartburn are antisecretory drugs. They reduce the synthesis of acid in the stomach by blocking the work of special stomach cells. The action begins 1 hour after ingestion and lasts for 6-12 hours. These drugs: as a rule, are contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, children under 12 years of age.
Examples of these Medicines are:
- famotidine
- ranitidine
- cimetidine, etc.
If heartburn needs to be removed quickly, these drugs are not suitable. It is best to use antacids.
If heartburn bothers you often and antacids have to be taken several times a day, it is advisable to consult a doctor to take an antisecretory drug. Healthlinear has discussed about different drugs and their side effects in a detailed manner.
Many experts recommend eliminating heartburn during pregnancy with antacids (maalox, almagel, etc.). Many of them are safe for both the fetus and the pregnant or lactating woman. However, frequent and prolonged use of antacids without a doctor’s recommendation is undesirable.
For Heartburn, Start Treatment with Non-drug Methods:
- Don’t lie down for 2-3 hours after eating
- Avoid caffeine, fatty foods, tomatoes, chocolate, mint
- Wear loose clothing
It is undesirable to take medicines for heartburn on your own for more than 2 weeks. If heartburn persists, see a doctor for an examination.
Many people are experiencing urinary tract infections and complications nowadays. It may be due to a number of factors discussed above and some more. A small amount of mucus in urine is not worrisome but if you notice mucus threads in urine, you should consult doctor immediately.
