Which Antacid Works the Best?

Which Antacid Works the Best?

Heartburn is a condition characterized by a burning feeling in the chest and a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. Heartburn usually develops when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back, or regurgitate, into the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Approximately one in ten adults experience heartburn once a week. Heartburn is more common in pregnant women because of the pressure the expanding uterus exerts on the stomach.

When you swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter, a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus, relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. When it relaxes at the wrong time, stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus, even though you're in an upright position. The acid backup is worse when you're bent over or lying down.

Some factors that can cause the sphincter to relax abnormally include:

 Fatty foods

 Chocolate, caffeine, onions, spicy foods, mint and some medications

 Alcohol

 Large meals

 Lying down soon after eating

 Tranquilizers, such as benzodiazepines including diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax)

 Theophylline (Slo-Bid, Theo-Dur), an asthma medication

 Being overweight

 Hiatal hernias

 Oral contraceptives

 Heart medications

The amount of gastric juice produced by the stomach varies from person to person. People that produce more gastric acid are referred to as ‘hyper secretors’. People that produce less gastric acid are known to be ‘hypo secretors’. Antacids can also be used to help heal duodenal ulcers. These ulcers occur in the upper part of the intestines. They can also be combined with other medications to help treat gastric ulcers and acid reflux.

Heartburn is generally diagnosed with a complete description of the symptoms. In severe cases, a physician may order a barium X ray of the stomach and esophagus to rule out other problems. A physician may also examine the esophagus with an endoscope, an instrument that can view the interior of the digestive tract, and take tissue and fluid samples.

There are several treatments for heartburn. In mild cases, over-the-counter medications such as antacids can relieve occasional bouts. Chronic heartburn can be treated with medications that prevent the production of acid in the stomach. Several of these medicines are now sold over the counter; others are available only by prescription.

Antacids are medicines that neutralize hydrochloric acid in the stomach, thus, relieving heartburn. Although there are other ingredients in the stomach, antacids only react with hydrochloric acid. They are able to do this because they are bases. Water’s pH is 7. Bases have a higher pH, and acids have a lower pH. Bases, which have a high pH, cause an acid’s pH to rise, thus bringing the pH closer to water. The mixture that results is one of salt and water. Antacids differ in their reaction time, neutralizing capacity, and side effects. For the most part, liquid antacids are more efficient than tablets.

There are four main different types of ingredients in antacids. Each differs in reaction time and power. They are Aluminum hydroxide (Al (OH3)), Calcium carbonate (CaCO3), Magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH2)), and Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3).

Aluminum hydroxide preparations vary in their solubility and neutralizing ability. The aluminum chloride salt that is formed in the reaction with gastric acid is insoluble and can cause constipation. Tetracycline is absorbed from this antacid also. Phosphate also can also be rendered in absorbable due to salt formation and cause a bone condition called osteomalacia.

Calcium carbonate is a very effective antacid and reacts more slowly than sodium bicarbonate. Some ten percent of the ionic calcium is absorbed and may infrequently cause hypercalcemia (high calcium in the blood), which can cause kidney failure. It is also used as an antidote to corrosive acid poisoning.

Magnesium hydroxide, also known as milk of magnesia, is relatively insoluble, and thus is an antacid of greater gastric longevity and usefulness. It is fast reacting and only a small amount of ionic magnesium is absorbed into the blood stream. Magnesium salts remain in the intestines and have a laxative effect. Magnesium and aluminum