Heartburn medicine is a broad term that encompasses many different medicines available to treat and control this painful problem.

Heartburn medicine usually refers to drugs that can be taken for treatment of heartburn; this includes a range of acid reflux medication including antacids.

These heartburn medicine, known as proton pump inhibitors or acid-suppressive medications, are probably the most widely used acid-suppressive medicines used worldwide today. This is because they are known to be very effective and also relatively safe. However, there is some evidence that suggests that taking these drugs can increase the risk of various forms of cancer.

There are two types of heartburn medicine which include antacids and proton pump inhibitors. The antacid type is often prescribed when acid reflux medicine does not work or is considered ineffective; while proton pump inhibitors can be used when prescribed by the doctor.

Antacids are a type of acid-suppressive medication, which is taken in combination with a proton pump inhibitor. Antacids neutralize the production of stomach acid and can be taken in two forms – the single tablet and the liquid. The tablet form of the drug should be taken at least 12 hours after meals and the liquid should be taken before you go to bed. As the liquid form of antacid is more easily absorbed by the stomach than the tablet form, it is usually used when a person suffers from heartburn after having eaten.

The effectiveness of acid reflux medicine also depends on how much acid the body produces. If you have been diagnosed with heartburn because you have excessive acid production in your stomach, then it is recommended that you take an antacid regularly, to avoid acid reflux disease, which can be caused by too much stomach acid.

Antacids that contain antacids as ingredients are the most common type of acid reflux medicine available on the market.

Acidic foods such as tomato sauce, beans and tomatoes are known to increase the level of stomach acid. Similarly, alcoholic beverages, chocolate and other foods rich in fat also tend to produce acid in the stomach. Antacids reduce the production of stomach acid and prevent excess acid production, thus reducing the symptoms of heartburn.

Although taking acid reflux medicine will help control the symptoms of heartburn, it should not replace diet and lifestyle modifications. In order to completely stop heartburn, a person should first try to identify the root cause of their condition and then implement changes which may eliminate or reduce the causes. Acid reflux medicine is only one way to reduce the occurrence of heartburn.

Many people experience relief from acid reflux medicine within a couple of days, but this only lasts for a short time. When the symptoms persist, it is advisable to visit the doctor or pharmacist for further heartburn medicine. Although heartburn medicine can reduce the symptoms of heartburn, it is important that you continue with your regular lifestyle and eat foods which do not increase the production of stomach acid.

Some types of antacids can actually worsen the symptoms of heartburn and can even cause further damage to the esophagus and stomach lining. If you think you may be allergic to acid reflux medicine, then talk to your pharmacist or doctor about it.

You can ask them to give you a trial of antacid in order to determine if it will be suitable for your condition.

Although acid reflux medicine is helpful, it is important to realize that it is not a miracle cure. If you eat a healthy, balanced diet and live a healthy lifestyle, you can avoid getting heartburn. This type of medicine can only correct the cause of your heartburn and not the symptoms.

It is not unusual for people to get relief from heartburn medicines for several years, but to have no more bouts of heartburn after using acid reflux medicine. When the side effects of the medicine begin to fade, many people decide to stop taking it. Antacid is not a permanent solution to heartburn, but is useful for providing temporary relief.

For those who continue to suffer from heartburn, it is important to search for more natural ways to stop the symptoms. Many people have found that using garlic, baking soda and other natural remedies, along with daily lifestyle changes can provide long-term relief. Garlic, for example, has proven to be an effective antacid and it acts as an ant-side, killing the bacteria that cause acid reflux in the stomach. Baking soda and other natural ingredients can help dissolve excess stomach acid and prevent acid reflux.