Acid Reflux Non Prescription Medicine
In a normal digestive process, the partially digested food is being forwarded by muscular movements of the stomach to the intestines. However, for some people, stomach contents travel back into the esophagus from the stomach. This condition is known as acid reflux.
Common symptoms of this disease include heartburn, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, chest pain, dental erosion, hoarseness, asthma, dyspepsia, vomiting, and many others.
If not properly treated, acid reflux can last several months. However, drug therapy may play an essential part in the treatment process of a patient.
The most used drugs are:
Antacids. These medicines are used to neutralize acids in the apparatus digestive tract and is mostly taken for relief of mild symptoms such as occasional episodes of indigestion and heartburn. They also act to incite defense mechanisms of the stomach by creating the secretion of mucus and bicarbonate. Most antacids can be bought without a prescription, even without a prescription care. In addition, these drugs are one of the first to be recommended by professionals to lessen the pain caused by heartburn or mild symptoms. The three ingredients basic antacids are magnesium, calcium and aluminum.
Acid suppressants such as histamine blockers are also commonly used. Blockers block histamine production of stomach acids by alienating the actions of histamine. Histamine is a chemical in the body that promotes production and secretion of acid in the stomach. Antihistamines are available without a prescription and even offers relief of symptoms in most patients with frequent acid reflux. Patients have to wait 30 to 90 minutes of these drugs take effect. But its effect lasts for six to 24 hours. In cases of severe symptoms, the patient may have to take two doses a day. In some investigations, histamine blockers have been shown to improve asthma symptoms in supporting both acid reflux and asthma.
However, in a study dated 2001, it was suggested that histamine blockers occasionally impart complete relief of symptoms of dyspepsia and heartburn.
Inhibitors of proton pump are also used as medicine. They act to cut output of stomach acids by reacting with the cells found in the stomach wall which produce and release acids in the stomach. However, investigations have shown that the use of inhibitors of proton pump raises some concerns. Side effects, although uncommon, include diarrhea, headache, itching and nausea. In addition, these drugs also stayed away from pregnant mothers and infants.
Another drug that is generally handled is the use of agents that protect the mucus lining the gastrointestinal tract. This type of drug-related acts by the ulcer crater so that will be guarded from damage caused by digestive acids. It is advisable for people undergoing maintenance therapy with mild or moderate acid reflux conditions. It has minor side effects, including constipation.
Antispasmodic drugs are also used to prevent acid and even non-acid reflux. The gamma-amino butyric acid agonist, an anti-spasm is usually used to reduce muscle spasms. Unlike most medicines used for acid reflux, can also decrease non-acid reflux and amplify the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach and prevents the backup of stomach contents.
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Medications for Acid Reflux
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