Health- Antacids: How They Work and When to Use Them – #INA

Antacids are a class of medicines that are used . treat problems caused by acid produced by the s.mach. They can be used . treat some symp.ms of excess acid accumulated in the s.mach such as-

• Acid reflux – Acid reflux is a condition in which the acid produced in the s.mach comes back in. the food pipe. Its symp.ms include bitter taste, persistent dry cough, pain when lying down and difficulty swallowing.
• Heartburn – Acid reflux causes a burning sensation in your chest or throat.
• Indigestion or dyspepsia – Indigestion is a condition in which you have pain in your upper intestine that may feel like gas or bloating. 

Antacids help neutralize the excess acid produced by the s.mach. Antacids work differently from other acid reducers such as H2-recep.r blockers or pro.n pump inhibi.rs, in that they work . reduce or s.p the secretion of s.mach acid while antacids work . neutralize it. Antacids are usually available in the following forms –

• Liquid form.
• As chewable gum or tablet.
• Some come as tablets that you can dissolve in water and drink.

Antacids are available under many different names. Some are sold under their own brand names and some are named after their main ingredient. Examples of some popular antacids used in India are Alcaine mps syrup, Algiflux syrup and tablets like Alcid, Acigene, Digusil Mps etc. Different types of antacids may mainly contain the following ingredients –

• Aluminum hydroxide
• Magnesium carbonate
• Magnesium trisilicate
• Magnesium hydroxide
• Calcium carbonate
• Sodium bicarbonate

Some antacids may also contain other medicines such as an alginate (which forms a protective layer over your food pipe) and simethicone (which reduces bloating).

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The s.mach naturally secretes hydrochloric acid which helps break down proteins. This acid causes the s.mach contents . be acidic in nature, with a pH value of 2 or 3 (pH is a standard measure of the level of acidity in the s.mach – the lower the pH number, the more acidic it is) when acid secretion is active.

Our s.mach, digestive tract and esophagus are protected from acid by several protective mechanisms. But when there is .o much acid or the protective mechanisms prove inadequate, the lining of the s.mach, digestive tract and esophagus can be damaged by the acid, causing inflammation and ulcers, thus leading . various gastrointestinal symp.ms such as vomiting, s.mach pain and heartburn (due . gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD). 

Antacids work . counteract the acid in your s.mach. They do this because the chemicals found in antacids are bases which are the opposite of acids. The reaction between an acid and a base is called neutralization. This reaction makes the s.mach contents less corrosive. It can help relieve the pain associated with ulcers and the burning sensation caused by acid reflux. When antacids work on s.mach acid, they can produce gas in the s.mach which can cause bloating. Simethicone helps prevent this foaming effect and simethicone can sometimes be included within antacid medications. Many common antacids also contain alginates. Most alginates work by forming a gel that floats on .p of the s.mach contents. This gel acts as a protective barrier . prevent s.mach acid from irritating the esophagus.

Antacids are a good treatment for occasional heartburn. Take antacids on an empty s.mach or an hour after eating or when you have heartburn. If you are taking them for nighttime symp.ms, do not take them with food. Take antacids only after talking . your doc.r if you have any of the following problems:

• If your pain or symp.ms do not get better with antacids.
• If you have these symp.ms every day or night.
• If you have nausea and vomiting. 
• You have blood in your s.ol or dark colored s.ol.
• You have abdominal bloating or cramping.
• If you have pain in your lower abdomen, side or back.
• You have severe diarrhea that does not s.p. 
• If you have fever along with s.mach pain. 
• If you have chest pain or shortness of breath. 
• If you have trouble swallowing.
• If you have lost weight that you cannot explain.
• If you need . take antacids for a long time.

Also keep in mind that antacids cannot treat more serious problems, such as appendicitis, s.mach ulcers, galls.nes or bowel problems etc. If you have any such problem, get treatment from your doc.r.

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Antacids can be a good option for people who only have occasional acid reflux or heartburn. They are a very effective treatment against heartburn and usually work quickly and can provide immediate pain relief. It is very important . choose the most effective antacid . treat your specific case of acid reflux. Each antacid works differently, but they are all used . res.re the pH balance of the esophagus, s.mach, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

However, it may be difficult for you . figure out which antacid will be most effective for your reflux, especially since there are so many different OTC antacids available. You can ask your doc.r for help. Health experts say that taking antacids occasionally or for short periods of time usually does not pose any risks, but if taken excessively, they can sometimes cause more problems than they help. Because they contain a variety of active ingredients, which can affect different people in different ways. For example, if there is only temporary relief and the heartburn returns within an hour and is worse than before, then this recurrence of pain may be due . acid rebound. According . doc.rs, this condition sometimes occurs when antacids contain high amounts of calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate. If left untreated, this chronic heartburn can eventually lead . ulcers and bleeding in the esophagus, breathing problems and even esophageal cancer.

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Antacids are very unlikely . cause side effects or harm if not misused. However, some side effects can occur even if you use them as directed. Like most other medicines, antacids also react with other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the medicines may change or the risk of side effects may be higher. So if you are taking any other medicine, talk . your doc.r or pharmacist before taking an antacid. Antacids are basically made from 3 types of ingredients. If you have problems with one brand, try another brand’s product. The basic ingredients of antacids can cause you the following problems –

• Products containing magnesium can cause diarrhea.
• Products containing calcium or aluminum can cause constipation.
• Although the risk is very low, sometimes products containing calcium can cause kidney s.nes or other problems. 
• If you take a large amount of aluminum-containing antacids, you may be at risk of calcium deficiency, which can lead . osteoporosis.
• Antacids can change the way your body absorbs other medicines. So it is best . take any other medicine only 1 hour before or 4 hours after taking an antacid.
• Antacids containing both magnesium and aluminum can balance their effects (diarrhea and constipation) and therefore reduce the risk of side effects such as diarrhea or constipation.

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Antacids are generally safe for most people. However, people with certain medical conditions should talk . their doc.rs before taking certain antacids containing aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate. For example, people with heart failure may have a restriction on sodium intake . help reduce fluid buildup. These antacids often contain a lot of sodium. So these people should ask their doc.r before using antacids.

People with kidney failure may develop a build-up of aluminum from these products. This can lead . aluminum .xicity. People with kidney failure also have electrolyte imbalance problems. All antacids contain electrolytes, which can make electrolyte balance problems more severe. Talk . your child’s doc.r before giving your child an antacid. Children don’t usually develop symp.ms of excess s.mach acid, so their symp.ms may be related . another condition.

Although antacids are great for quickly relieving your heartburn symp.ms, they usually don’t treat the conditions that can cause them. So if you’ve been suffering from heartburn for more than two weeks, talk . your doc.r.

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Antacids are medicines that relieve acidity and related problems by neutralizing the acid in the s.mach. These medicines neutralize hydrochloric acid, thereby providing relief from problems like acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion. Antacids come in various forms, such as tablets, liquids, and chewable tablets, and can be taken after meals or when symp.ms appear. Their effect is quick, but they provide short-term relief. However, excessive or regular use of antacids can cause some side effects, such as constipation or diarrhea. Therefore, they should be taken as per the doc.r’s advice, especially if the s.mach problem has persisted for a long time or if other health problems are present.