Heartburn sucks and often times your only choice to fight it is acid blockers! If you haven’t had it before, I am so glad for you. Heartburn feels like hot pressure in your chest and sometimes leads people to believe they are having a heart attack. Some people may occasionally experience this after eating too much salt, sugar or fat; some people suffer from a number of chronic illnesses like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is when your stomach produces so much stomach acid that it backs up into your esophagus, sometimes it is like an eruption and can cause coughing and vomiting; long-term out of control heartburn can cause throat infections, ulcers, difficulty or pain when swallowing and increased chance of throat cancer.

Medical Causes for Heartburn

Pregnancy
Bulging of the stomach into the chest cavity, also called hiatal hernia
GERD
Ulcers
Certain bacteria
Taking certain medications, especially antibiotics, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Aleve or Advil

For occasional heartburn, antacids neutralize stomach acids to help relieve heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion and stomach upset by blocking the secretion of stomach acids. Some antacids contain simethicone, to help eliminate gas. Examples of over the counter antacids include: Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Milk of Magnesia, Rolaids, Tums or Pepto-Bismol. If you choose to use OTC antacids make sure you talk to your doctor about it and always follow the instructions on the package label. Plus, don’t miss your checkups and call your doctor if you are having problems after following their instructions.

For people who have more severe symptoms, like GERD, there are two types of drugs that work to reduce the production of acid in the stomach: histamine antagonists (H2 antagonists or H2 blockers) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). H2 blockers are available in OTC and prescription forms. H2 blockers reduce the production of stomach acid and makes the stomach acids to be less irritating in order to allow the esophagus to heal. PPIs are used to relieve symptoms of GERD when H2 blockers do not work.

Examples of H2 blockers are:

Axid AR (Nizatidine)
Pepcid AC (Famotidine)
Tagamet HB (Cimetidine)
Zantac 75 (Ranitidine)

Examples of Proton Pump Inhibitors are: All are available by prescription

Prevacid 24HR (lansoprazole)
Prilosec OTC (omeprazole)
Nexium 24HR (esomeprazole)

Acid blockers do not cure GERD or other chronic illness, they only treat symptoms. Long-term use of Acid Blockers may lead to serious complications, including increased risk for pneumonia and Clostridium difficile, and decreased absorption of vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and iron which may increase the chance of fracture. Although these symptoms are frustrating on their own, for some people, the benefits of using antacids may outweigh the side effects.

Other side affects of using Acid Blockers may include: Constipation, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Headache, Hives, Nausea or vomiting, and Problems with urination. In extreme cases, trouble breathing and swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat have happened. If this happens to you call 911 right away

How to take acid blockers

The FDA has approved OTC PPI’s to treat frequent heartburn for 14 days. If you are taking these medications you should talk to your doctor about how they would like you to take them.

Ways to Avoid Heartburn

Sometimes we suffer with heartburn, mainly because we are eating the wrong way. Heartburn can be caused by:

Eating large portions of food (over-eating)
Eating foods that cause inflammation of the stomach like onions, chocolate, peppermint, citrus fruits, garlic, tomatoes and other Night Shade fruits, vegetables and spices, as well as foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar.
Drinking citrus beverages, alcohol, caffeinated and carbonated drinks (even ginger ale)
Eating before bedtime
Being overweight
Smoking
Wearing tight-fitting clothing or belts
Lying down or bending over, especially after eating
Not having enough good bacteria in our intestines following a bout of diarrhea, or after fasting and cleansing

>>>Read: Learning About Nightshades

If you address these issues and find relief, we suggest that you limit your diet to easier to digest foods, in smaller amounts. If you choose to stop using Acid Blockers, you should talk with your doctor.

Here are some suggestions that might help you have success:

Remove foods and beverages that are triggers for heartburn symptoms from your diet, especially processed foods and foods high in fat, salt, sugar and caffeine. Everyone is unique and your list might be different than someone else’s. Gluten, Dairy, Legumes and some Fruits, Veggies & Nuts are common triggers for many people.
Stop smoking.
Create a wellness plan to lose excess weight.
Prop your head up 4-6 inches when sleeping.
Take supplements containing B12, calcium, magnesium and iron.
Take probiotics.
Rebuild good gut bacteria >>>Read: Love Your Guts
Consider dietary use of certain herbs to help repair the lining of the gut:
- Marshmallow (althea officinalis): can be ingested as tea, up to 5-6 grams daily, or as a tincture, 5 mL after meals.
- Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra): best taken as deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) 380 mg tablets, 2-4 tablets taken before meals. Glycyrrhizin acts as a mineralocorticoid and can cause hypertension, hypokalemia and edema with prolonged use, so deglycyrrhizinated licorice is recommended.
- Slippery elm (ulmus fulva) root bark powder: one to two tablespoons of the powder mixed with water and taken after meals and before bed. To increase palatability, mixture can be sweetened with honey.
- Chamomile (matricaria recutita): used for inflammation and spasmodic effects. 1-3 grams steeped as tea, 3-4 times a day.
- Throat Coat tea (Traditional Medicinals): contains all the above herbs (licorice root, slippery elm, marshmallow root), but in smaller amounts. Can be taken with meals.
Research other natural ways to help your body be more balanced
Remove stress; consider journaling, counseling or yoga
Taper off Acid Blockers slowly with the counsel of your doctor

In the end, Wellness Works NW hopes that this article encourages you to become aware of all the costs and benefits of using Acid Blockers so that you can make an educated decision as to what is necessary for you, to best enjoy your path toward wellness.

If you feel you need a little help creating a Wellness Plan, please Contact us for a free consultation. Karen G Clemenson would love to help you with your Weight Management needs.

Feel free to leave your questions and comments below.

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Summer D Clemenson co-owns Clemenson Enterprises and Wellness Works NW with her wife, Karen G Clemenson. Their personal motto is Creativity, Honesty & Positivity are a must! This mantra helps them stay community and wellness minded in all they do. Summer also writes poetry and inspirational blogs @ ClemensonEnterprises.com. Her crochet art can be viewed and purchased @ KnottyWares.com & she loves special orders!