From PPIs to Alginates: Every Alternative for Healing Your Esophagus and Stomach Acid
Feeling that familiar burn in your chest or a sour stomach? You're not alone! Tummy troubles, especially from stomach acid, are super common. Luckily, there are a few main types of medicines that can help. Here is a simple breakdown of how they work.
1. The Quick Fix: Antacids
Think of it like: A fire extinguisher for your heartburn.
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What they do: Antacids are like little neutralizing agents. When you take them, they rush straight to the stomach and mix with the acid that's causing the problem. This instantly makes the acid less strong (neutralizes it), which stops the burning feeling.
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When to use them: They are best for quick, occasional heartburn or indigestion.
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How fast they work: Very fast! You often feel relief within seconds or minutes.
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Examples: Tums, Rolaids, Maalox.
2. The Acid Slowdown: H2 Blockers
Think of it like: Turning down the tap on your stomach acid.
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What they do: Your stomach has special "receptors" that tell it to make acid. H2 blockers, or Histamine-2 blockers, get in the way and block those messages. This means your stomach makes less acid in the first place.
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When to use them: Good for heartburn that is more frequent or lasts longer than what an antacid can handle. You can take them to prevent heartburn before a meal.
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How fast they work: They take a little longer than antacids—about 30 minutes—but the effect can last for up to 12 hours.
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Examples: Famotidine (Pepcid), Cimetidine (Tagamet).
3. The Strong Stopper: Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Think of it like: Shutting off the main acid-making factory.
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What they do: PPIs are the strongest acid reducers. They target and stop the tiny "pumps" (called proton pumps) inside your stomach cells that are responsible for releasing acid. They significantly reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces.
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When to use them: These are typically for more serious or long-term issues like Chronic Acid Reflux (GERD) or stomach ulcers.
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How fast they work: They are slower to start; it can take a few days to a few weeks to feel the full effect, but their effect is long-lasting (up to 24 hours). They are often taken daily for a set amount of time.
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Examples: Omeprazole (Prilosec), Esomeprazole (Nexium), Lansoprazole (Prevacid).