Aciphex (Rabeprazole)

Different Remedies For Heartburn

Acid Reflux/Heartburn - Simple Steps to Relief
 by: Andrew Kelly 

You’ve seen the advertisements: Acid reflux is a horrible disease that can cause damage to the oesophagus and lead to cancer. Are these claims realistic, or simply exaggerated to sell over the counter medications? The fact is that doctors don’t even agree on the causes, treatments, and long-term risks related to heartburn, so you can believe what you want about the ads.

What Does Heartburn Feel Like? What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is the uncomfortable feeling resulting from acid reflux, or GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease (try saying that out loud a few times). It can feel like a burning sensation (hence, the name), but can also feel like pressure in the chest, which is why it is sometimes confused with feelings associated with heart attacks.

Acid reflux occurs when the muscle between the stomach and the oesophagus gets weak or relaxes at the wrong time. The result is that the stomach contents, including the acid, move up into the oesophagus. Because the oesophagus doesn’t have the protective lining that the stomach does, the acid literally burns the oesophagus. Some people will try home remedies for heartburn or other types of heartburn cures.  

Try this For Heartburn Relief

What Works?

Several non-prescription drugs may be effective for mild to moderate acid reflux, such as antacids, which neutralize stomach acids. These include well-known over the counter medications such as Tums and Rolaids. Another option is H2 receptor antagonists, which reduce the production of stomach acids. These include Axid AR, Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, and Zantac 75. Pepcid complete is the only of these that combines an antacid with an H2 receptor antagonist. Which is the best treatment? One study found that Pepcid complete performed better than either an antacid alone or an H2 receptor antagonist alone.

Prescription drugs prescribed to treat acid reflux are called proton-pump inhibitors. These include Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix. While these are equally effective, one study did find that Nexium may heal esophageal sores faster.

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