Consuming stomach acid medicine is the easiest and fastest way to treat stomach acid disease. However, the use of this drug should not be done carelessly and be adjusted to the cause of the acid reflux that you are suffering from.
At the bottom of the esophagus, there is a valve that makes it easier for food and drink to enter the stomach. This valve will close naturally so that the contents and stomach fluids do not come back up into the esophagus and mouth.
For certain conditions, the esophageal valve can weaken and not close completely, so that the contents of the stomach and stomach acid fluids easily rise into the esophagus. This condition is known as acid reflux disease or GERD.
Some Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease
Acid reflux can be experienced by anyone, especially obese people, pregnant women, and active smokers. This disease can cause several symptoms, including:
- A burning, painful, or burning sensation in the chest or upper abdomen (heartburn)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Throat pain and discomfort or blockage
- It's hard to swallow
- The mouth feels sour or bitter
- Dry cough, especially at night
- Bad breath
- Sudden increase in the amount of saliva
In people with acid reflux disease, these symptoms will usually appear after eating. If left untreated, stomach acid disease can cause various complications, such as inflammation of the esophagus, laryngitis, sleep disturbances, and recurrence of asthma symptoms.
Several Options for Gastric Acid Medicine
When experiencing symptoms of acid reflux disease, you should consult a doctor. To confirm the diagnosis of acid reflux disease, the doctor can perform a physical examination and supporting examinations, such as X-rays and endoxopy.
After the diagnosis of stomach acid has been confirmed, the doctor will provide several options for the following stomach acid drugs:
1. Antacids
Antacids are a type of medicine that works to neutralize stomach acid. This stomach acid medicine can be consumed before eating or just after eating. Antacids are available in liquid suspension and chewable tablet form and can generally be purchased over the counter without a doctor's prescription.
However, antacids are not recommended for long-term use. This acid reflux drug can also cause some side effects, for example diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, and increased magnesium levels in the body.
Therefore, you should consult a doctor if stomach acid disease does not go away even though you have used this drug.
2. H2 antagonists
H2 antagonists or histamine 2 blockers are a type of medication that works to reduce stomach acid production.
H2 antagonists work more slowly, but can relieve symptoms of acid reflux for a longer time. In addition to gastric acid disease, this drug can also be used to treat stomach ulcers, gastritis, and stomach ulcers.
In contrast to antacids that can be purchased over the counter, H2 antagonists, such as ranitidine, cimetidine, and famotidine, are prescription drugs. This means that the use of stomach acid drugs must be according to the doctor's prescription and instructions for use.
Although rare, H2 antagonists can sometimes cause side effects such as headaches, skin rashes, diarrhea, and heart rhythm abnormalities.
3. Proton pump inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors or proton pump inhibitors are drugs that also work to lower stomach acid.
Gastric acid drugs that can only be obtained through a doctor's prescription are often used to treat several disorders of the stomach and esophagus due to stomach acid, such as esophagitis and peptic ulcers.
Several types of drugs that are included in the class of proton pump inhibitor drugs are omeprazole, esomeprazole, and lansoprazole. This drug is available in capsules and injections.
Just like other stomach acid drugs, this drug can cause side effects in some people, such as headaches, nausea and vomiting, and flatulence.
4. Prokinetic
Prokinetics are a type of medicine that can help empty the stomach faster and keep the valve function between the stomach and esophagus, so that stomach acid does not easily get up into the esophagus.
These stomach acid drugs can only be obtained through a doctor's prescription. Some examples of prokinetic drugs are bethanechol and metoclopramide.
Some Other Ways to Overcome Gastric Acid
Apart from using stomach acid medicine medically, stomach acid disease can also be prevented and overcome in the following simple ways:
- Avoid foods and drinks that can trigger stomach acid, such as spicy and fatty foods, and caffeinated drinks.
- Eat food slowly and in small portions, but more often.
- Don't go to sleep or lie down right after eating.
- Maintain an ideal body weight and lose weight if it is excessive.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes or pants because it can press on the esophagus and make stomach acid easily rise.
- Stop smoking habits and limit consumption of alcoholic drinks.
If giving stomach acid medicine and the above preventive measures are not effective in treating or preventing stomach acid disease, immediately consult a doctor to determine the appropriate treatment.
You also need to see a doctor immediately if stomach acid disease is severe or causes other symptoms, such as vomiting blood, black bowel movements, or weight loss.
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