Most Popular Acid Reflux Treatment Medications

Histamine-2 Blockers (H2 Blockers)

Histamine 2 is found in the body and is one of the factors that is used to tell the stomach how much acid to produce. The H2 Blockers work by blocking that histamine from telling the cells in the stomach to produce more acid. These blockers typically start working in as little as 30 minutes and can from 6 to 12 hours. The most common forms of these medications are Famotidine (Pepcid), Ranitidine (Zantac) and Cimetidine (Tagamet).

Photon Pump Inhibitors (PPI)

Rather than blocking the histamine that causes stomach cells to produce acid. PPIs actually inhibit the acid pump from being able to produce acid. It does this by changing the enzymes that are required for the pumps to be able to fire. Photo Pump Inhibitors are stronger than H2 Blockers and their effects last for 24 hours or more but can take a few days to begin working. Popular forms of these drugs include Esomeprazole (Nexium), Pantoprazole (Protonix), Omeprazole (Prilosec), and Lansoprazole (Prevacid).

It is a fairly common practice for a doctor to start a patient with a H2 Blocker and only move up to a PPI in the event that the H2 Blocker is insufficient in controlling symptoms and reliving the damage done by the acid production.

It is recommended that one takes these acid reflux medicines under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner only. Most often these medicines are well tolerated but can cause additional problems or drug interactions.

Simple Acid Reflux Treatment

Try drinking distilled water and see if it helps. One of the simplest among acid reflux home remedies is the humble potato. Potatoes are naturally alkaline and

neutralize the effect of acid. Eating pieces of raw potatoes helps. However, do not boil it, else the essential alkaloids will get flushed out by the water sued to boil the potato. Fennel seeds are well renowned for its digestive powers. It also contains anethole, a compound that suppresses spasms of the gastrointestinal tract.Chew half a teaspoon of fennel seeds after taking your meals. It will help you to combat your digestion problems and is also one of the acid reflux home remedies.You might also try drinking carrot juice for a few weeks.

Many people also have success with drinking diluted apple cider vinegar because the acid that is in vinegar helps break down food in the stomach before other harmful stomach acids have a chance to accumulate. This can reduce the acid reflux by allowing the stomach to empty itself naturally.

In adults, poor posture could play an important role in acid reflux.  A slouched posture does not create a straight path between the esophagus and the stomach.  Therefore, muscles around the esophagus may start to spasm, causing acidity and gas can get blocked resulting in acid reflux.

You may find yourself asking, what causes acid reflux?  Well, there are certain risk factors associated with the disease, including:

• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Taking medicine like aspirin, ibuprofen, blood pressure medication or some muscle relaxers
• Drinking coffee, tea, soda or alcohol
• Laying flat or bending at the waist right after eating large or heavy meals
• Eating too close to bedtime

Many times, changes in your lifestyle play a huge role in treatment for acid reflux.   I have some simple steps you can take to get you on the road to recovery:

• Don’t eat two to three hours before lying flat
• Quit smoking
• Put raisers under the head of your bed to raise it 4- 6 inches
• Refrain from wearing tight clothes or belts
• Eat small meals throughout the day
• Take a nap sitting upright in a chair
• Exercise daily, and take steps to lose weight
• Talk to your doctor about any medications you’re taking.  Some medicines may cause heartburn or other acid reflux symptoms

There are also over the counter antacids that should bring you temporary relief in treating your acid reflux.  If those medicines don’t help and symptoms persist two or more times a week, it’s time to see your doctor, he or she can prescribe the right medicine to meet your needs.

Heartburn, or pyrosis, is a common symptom of acid reflux.  It can be defined as burning pain in your esophagus and chest.  The discomfort or pain associated with heartburn can move from your stomach to your, chest and even your throat.  Regurgitation is another symptom of acid reflux.  It can be defined as a sour or bitter taste in your mouth.  That sour taste is acid backing up into your throat and mouth, and sometimes it can even burn.

Heartburn and regurgitation are the most common symptoms of acid reflux.  There are other symptoms associated with the disease that include:

• Bloody or black stool
• Bloody vomiting
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Sudden weigh loss for no apparent reason
• Burping
• Chronic hiccups
• Dry cough
• Chronic sore throat
• Dysphagia (a narrowing of the esophagus that creates the feeling of food stuck in your throat)
• Trouble or pain associated with swallowing
• Excessive salivation
• Chest pain or pressure

If you experience any of theme symptoms they can be a sign of something more serious and you should consult your doctor or a medical professional immediately.

Acid reflux affects adults and children alike.  But diagnosing infants and children is more difficult.  The symptoms of acid reflux, or GERD, in children vary from adult acid reflux symptoms.  Some common symptoms of pediatric reflux is:

• Constant crying, known as colic
• Gassy
• Irritability and pain causing sudden screaming while asleep
• Coughing at night
• Acidy smelling bad breath
• Rancid smelling diapers
• Frequent loose bowel movements
• Feeds for comfort or refusing to feed
• Bad sleep habits
• Arching their beck and backs while and after feeding
• Burping frequently
• Hiccupping frequently
• Frequent ear infections
• Sinus congestion
• Excessive vomiting

If your child experiences any of theme symptoms they can be a sign of something more serious and you should consult your doctor or a medical professional immediately.

Pediatric GERD, or childhood acid reflux is a common problem that needs to be monitored by your child’s pediatrician.  Many pediatricians suggest that your child will outgrow reflux by six months of age, or when they can sit up.  If you suspect your child is suffering from acid reflux, contact your pediatrician as soon as possible.

• Coffee
• Tea
• Soft drinks, or sodas
• Other caffeinated beverages
• Limit alcohol
• Juices containing excessive amounts of vitamin C
• Fatty foods
• Fried foods
• Tomatoes
• Citrus fruits and citrus fruit juices
• Onions
• Garlic
• Spinach
• Peppermint
• Chocolate
• Avoid milk 2 hours before bed
• Spicy foods

Every person is different, and some foods may be more likely to trigger your acid reflux.  I recommend keeping a food journal, and recording your acid reflux symptoms.  You may find that tomatoes and caffeine don’t affect you the same way fatty foods and onions do.

If diet and lifestyle changes have not helped your acid reflux, and you are still having symptoms two or more times a week, contact your doctor.