Treatment For Heartburn

Man in his late thirties having a dose of heartburn or pains in his chest.

Millions of Americans suffer from the pain of heartburn, many on a daily basis. If you are one of them, you may be unsure of how to manage your symptoms or prevent an attack. There are actually several ways to treat heartburn. Try them all and see which works best for you.

Over-the-counter drugs

If you have mild heartburn, over-the-counter drugs usually do the trick. Antacids like Tums work by neutralizing the stomach acid that causes heartburn. Most include sodium bicarbonate or calcium bicarbonate as the main active ingredient. Take these as soon as heartburn starts for instant relief.

If you are eating a food that you know regularly leads to heartburn, it never hurts to eat an antacid right after the meal to preemptively prevent an attack.

Stronger drugs

If antacids do not work, a stronger drug may do the trick. Zantac and Pepcid are the most common H2 antagonist drugs. These actually block the prevention of stomach acid and are effective in patients that suffer from recurring or long-term symptoms.

Factors

Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol can contribute to heartburn symptoms. If you participate in these activities, know that curbing them may reduce your symptoms. Eating spicy foods and those that are high in fat is also likely to lead to an attack. Stress can also cause heartburn. If you are undergoing a stressful period in your life, it is wise to pay closer attention to what you drink and eat because you are more susceptible to heartburn symptoms. If you suffer from attacks at night, sleeping with a fuller pillow may help, as it keeps the head elevated and prevents stomach acid from rising in the esophagus.

Treating heartburn is not as complicated as it sounds. Since this is a common ailment, doctors and patients have come across many cures and treatments. It is all about figuring out what works for you.

Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol can contribute to heartburn symptoms