Tag: heartburn

Results Are In: How to Immediately Stop Heartburn

Do you suffer from heartburn? Here is the answer for your relief: We’ve found the very best over the counter, maximum strength, heartburn medications proven to be the most effective amongst competitors.

Unfortunately, approximately 20% of Americans are affected by heartburn. Fortunately, there are plenty of available treatment options to stop your suffering. We’re here to help provide you with fast, effective relief from that lingering stomach acid causing your heartburn to flare up.

After taking a deep dive into the most reputable clinical research to identify the best possible treatments, we’ve got answers for you. As it turns out, the best treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are. There are three active ingredients that have been proven effective to protect against heartburn – Antacids, H2 blockers and PPIs, or proton pump inhibitors. But what do these really mean?

Antacids

Antacids are packed full of ingredients that are moderately effective at neutralizing your stomach acid. In fact, that’s us putting it lightly. Ever taken an Alka Seltzer? We’re sorry to report that baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, does nothing for you.

Research shows that Alka Seltzer is actually very ineffective at neutralizing your stomach acid. It is also full of high sodium content, another no-no. Sorry to break the news, but if you’re taking Alka Seltzer for your heartburn you’re probably not experiencing any real relief.

H2 Blockers

H2 is what tells your stomach to produce acid. There are three H2 blockers: Cimetidine, Ranitidine, and Famotidine. These fight to prevent heartburn by blocking your body’s response to the chemical that tells your stomach to produce acid.

The downside? In some rare cases, Cimetidine has been linked to gynecomastia (breast enlargement in males). You should also be very cautious if you’re on any prescription medication, as it is also more likely to interfere with it. Ditch any heartburn products that have Cimetidine and try to stick to Ranitidine or Famotidine.

PPIs

These are much more potent than any H2 blockers because they completely stop your stomach from producing any acid. Approved by the FDA back in 2001, Esomeprazole is the newest PPI, but has extensive research that is quite impressive.

In fact, esomeprazole was found to promote faster healing than other PPIs – So much so, that a single dose is more effective than a double dose of competing PPIs! With that being said, we are dumping all other ingredients and exclusively providing you with esomeprazole-based heartburn medications.

Now that you have a better understanding of the active ingredients that are proven to be effective, here is our list of the very best over the counter, maximum strength, heartburn medications:

1. Tums Ultra Strength 1000 – Best for Mild Heartburn
2. Rolaids Ultra Strength Soft Chews – Runner-Up for Mild Heartburn
3. Zantac 150 – Best for Moderate Heartburn
4. Nexium 24HR – Best for Intense Heartburn

August 16, 2019
Acid Reflux: Common Causes and Best Treatments

Acid reflux is a serious pain for people who suffer with the discomfort and embarrassment it brings. Today we’re looking at the common causes of acid reflux, and the best ways to find relief. While this condition is quite discomforting, there are steps you can take to ease your symptoms.

Acid Reflux

Causes

Acid reflux occurs when lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, is too slow to close, allowing stomach acid to splash up into your esophagus. This stomach acid, as you might expect, is incredibly uncomfortable to have rolling around in organs it wasn’t meant to be in. The presence of this acid can lead to chest pain commonly known as heartburn.

Some common reasons the LES could be failing to keep your stomach acid down are hiatal hernias, lying down after a large meal, smoking, being overweight or being pregnant. There are other factors that could contribute to acid reflux, as well. If you experience heartburn more than twice a week, you may have acid reflux disease.

The Science

When your stomach acid is where it’s supposed to be (you know, your stomach) it doesn’t cause you any discomfort due to your stomach lining. The stomach is constantly creating a thin mucus membrane that resists the acidic properties of the very chemical it makes to break down food. Your esophagus, however, doesn’t have such natural protection.

Treatments

Eating smaller meals more frequently is one quick way to address heartburn. Big meals are a common trigger for acid reflux, so eating lighter meals at a higher frequency is advised for common sufferers. If you smoke, consider quitting, as it will have a number of health benefits. This includes potentially curbing heartburn.

Make sure you don’t eat too close to bedtime. Generally, you want to eat at least two hours before it’s time for bed. Additionally, when you’re eating, avoid wearing tight clothes. If your symptoms come from being overweight, taking steps to lose weight could also lead to a decrease in heartburn.

Medications

If lifestyle and diet changes are having no effect, there are a few medications you could try. Namely, antacids are a way to help neutralize stomach acid and calm down the worst symptoms. H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors and foaming agents are all popular choices.

Medications like Pepcid, Gaviscon and Aciphex are commonly taken by sufferers to help abate symptoms. Remember, don’t take more than one type of antacid medication: they’re not meant to be mixed together.

March 25, 2019
Best Medicine for Heartburn: Keep the Party Going

Nothing kills the idea of a fun night out with friends faster than remember your acid reflux could act up. Overactive stomach acid can put a damper on any party. When you want to just have fun and enjoy your friends, what are your options? Today we’re going over some of the best medicine options for heartburn to help you keep the party going.

Best Medicine for Heartburn

Oral Suspension Medicines

Oral suspension medicines include brand names like Pepto Bismol. These medications work by coating the inside of the esophagus, offering up protection from short-term heartburn symptoms. Generally speaking, Pepto and the like is more ideal for people who suffer acid reflux symptoms less frequently. That’s because once the coating wears off, it loses its effectiveness.

Antacids

Antacids are a common medicine used to combat the worst heartburn symptoms. Brands like Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta and Maalox are all antacids. These medicines work by neutralizing the stomach acid that is over-acting in your stomach and causing you discomfort.

Generally speaking, antacids are used for fast relief from acute symptoms. For instance, if you’re out to dinner with friends and you begin feeling heartburn, you can pop a Tums to try to settle your stomach. Generally, antacids are used by infrequent sufferers because they give fast relief but aren’t ideal for long-term use.

Make sure you don’t take too many antacids in a short period. Taking too many can lead to diarrhea or constipation, so make sure you only take the ones you need.

H-2-Receptor Blockers

These medicines were once only available by prescription, though they are now available over-the-counter. Pepcid AC and Zantac are examples of brand names of this variety of medicine. Generally speaking, these receptor blockers are slower to act than antacids but work over a longer period.

That’s because receptor blockers stop the production of stomach acid, allowing people with mild symptoms of heartburn to treat their symptoms proactively. These medications are taken over a long period, instead of being taken in response to the appearance of symptoms.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Medicines like Prilosec and Nexium fall under this category. These medications keep your stomach acid neutralized and can even heal damaged esophageal lining. These medications are ideal for people who suffer from more severe heartburn symptoms that are quite frequent. The trade-off is that these medications tend to be more expensive and require you to take them regularly.

March 8, 2019
Fast Relief for Heartburn

Heartburn is a major pain for people who deal with it regularly. It’s very difficult to find relief for your heartburn symptoms, so today we’re going over the best ways to find fast relief.

You never know when heartburn might strike, so it’s important to know how to get relief quickly. Here are some of our top picks for heartburn relief.

Fast Relief for Heartburn

Posture

Upright posture is really important for getting relief from heartburn. Heartburn tends to occur when the contents of the stomach rise up into the esophagus. As such, standing up straight can help with heartburn. If you’re lying or sitting, try standing up as straight as you can.

Gravity should do its work to help keep your stomach acid down.

Baking Soda

Take a spoonful of baking soda and dissolve it into a glass of water. Then, stir the water slightly and drink it slowly. In general, make sure you drink everything slowly when you’re struggling with heartburn.

Baking soda, in particular, can help to settle the stomach and calm down stomach acid.

Sip Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has been noted to have some properties that can help to settle the stomach. Slowly sipping on a bit of apple cider vinegar has been stated by some people to calm heartburn.

The ideal way to do this is to slightly dilute the apple cider vinegar with water and then drink it slowly after a meal. Try this if certain meals tend to give you heartburn.

Gum

Chewing gum after a big meal could also be helpful for getting heartburn relief. Chewing gum stimulates saliva, as well as swallowing.

As such, it could help to dilute and neutralize stomach acid, making it less likely for you to experience heartburn symptoms.

Antacids

If you need fast relief, it’s helpful to have antacids on hand. TUMs and Pepto are two preferred antacid brands, and they work by directly neutralizing stomach acid.

Additionally, antacids can be helpful with a variety of gastrointestinal issues, including nausea and diarrhea. As such, they make ideal medications to keep on hand.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking, of course, is bad for you health. However, cigarette smoke can also lead to heartburn. As such, if you’re suffering from heartburn, don’t smoke while you’re trying to get relief.

Likewise, stay away from people who are smoking, as even secondhand smoke can cause heartburn to flare up. Generally, just stay away from cigarettes.

March 4, 2019