Treatment

There are many heart burn remedies on the market. There are many heart burn home remedies, as well. Any may be effective. Here we look at some of each.

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the throat or chest that may or may not be accompanied by gas or bloating. It happens when stomach acid, which is normally confined to the stomach, bubbles up or leaks into the esophagus and is also referred to as indigestion. Effective heart burn remedies neutralize the acid and soothe the burning sensation. Some heart burn remedies will also relieve the gas and bloating. Many over the counter heart burn remedies contain calcium carbonate. One popular product even advertised itself as an effective calcium supplement. Effective heart burn home remedies include using peppermint or other mints to relieve the symptoms. Most over the counter heart burn remedies are mint flavored, but not all contain peppermint oil. The ones that do may be more effective in relieving gas and other symptoms of indigestion.

It is not uncommon to experience heartburn symptoms after a very large meal. These meals often make one feel sluggish as well, but taking a nap may bring on or worsen heart burn symptoms. Some people find that heart burn home remedies are unnecessary if they take a leisurely slow or sit quietly for a while following the meal. Even after symptoms are present, relaxing in a sitting position or strolling around the neighborhood may be effective heart burn home remedies.

Over the counter heart burn remedies include antacid products like Tums or Rolaids. There are other products that will relieve gas and bloating. Calcium carbonate is usually effective for neutralizing the stomach acid, but may leave a chalky taste in the mouth. Products that contain mint oil or peppermint may be a little harder to find, but will leave a pleasant taste in the mouth. Heart burn home remedies containing fennel and other herbs have been used by Native Americans and Europeans alike to relieve the symptoms of indigestion. It is possible to make a soothing tea using fennel seeds. Drops containing fennel and other herbs are also available from companies that sell natural products. Relief may also be found in chewing on a piece of rhubarb or non-fruit flavored gum. The saliva created by the chewing action will help neutralize the acid. Smoking will worsen the heartburn symptoms, because it dries out the saliva in the mouth and throat. Experiencing frequent heartburn is one of many reasons to quit smoking.

Chronic heart burn may be a symptom of another more serious medical condition. For instance, a hiatal hernia pushes up against the stomach, causing the stomach acid to leak up into the esophagus. Anyone experiencing symptoms of heartburn more than once a week should have their symptoms evaluated by a physician. Heartburn may be a result of stress, overeating, drinking too much coffee or eating fried or acidic foods, but if heart burn remedies do not provide relief or if the heartburn is frequent, it could mean something else is going on.

Antacids

If you only suffer from the occasional episode of heartburn, over-the-counter antacids available at your pharmacy or supermarket may bring relief. Antacids relieve heartburn by neutralising stomach acid. If you still experience heartburn or other reflux symptoms even though you take antacids, you should talk to your doctor.

H2-receptor antagonists

These medications work by stopping the action of histamine, a substance that stimulates acid production in your stomach. Some H2-receptor antagonists can be bought over-the-counter at low doses, but a doctor's prescription is needed for higher doses.

Proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors work by blocking the system that 'pumps' acid into your stomach. These medications are only available on prescription from your doctor.

Medicines that reduce acid in your stomach, reduce heartburn and other symptoms of reflux and allows any damage to your oesophagus to heal.

Prokinetics

The third line of medical treatment is a family of drugs known as prokinetics and as their name implies they improve the movement or function of the muscles of the esophagus, thereby clearing the esophagus of refluxed acid, bile and food. Logically and theoretically this group of medications should be the best line of medical treatment because it attempts to restore an impaired function or to improve a normal function. Unfortunately the two medications available at the present time in the USA have some major side effects. Reglan the medication first available has many side effects but most patients were unable to tolerate it due to the depression it produces and physicians were afraid to prescribe it on a long term basis due to its propensity to produce tardive dyskinesia a condition in which the face neck and body develop involuntary repetitive movements, something similar to parkinsonism but drug induced. Propulsid was initially hailed as the best line of medical treatment but its numerous side effect of changes in the heart wave, numerous interactions with medications and even with grapefruit prompted the FDA to have the company issue an alert to all medical professionals and to the media 0n January 25th., 2000.

The next group of drugs to be tried is called histamine-2 blockers. Examples include ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and nizatidine (Axid). These tablets decrease the amount of acid your stomach produces. Many of these drugs can be bought over-the-counter at low doses but need a doctor's prescription for higher doses. They provide relief of symptoms within 30 minutes and are taken twice a day.
If you continue to have heartburn, the doctor may recommend adding a drug such as metoclopramide (Reglan). This type of drug empties food and acid quickly from the stomach so less can travel back into the esophagus. Reglan also helps tighten the LES muscle.
If you still have symptoms, the doctor will then recommend drugs called proton pump inhibitors. Examples of these drugs include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), and pantoprazole (Protonix). These compounds prevent the stomach from secreting acid. They are very effective and are typically taken only once a day. These drugs are usually only prescribed if other drugs have not helped.

Surgery

If prescription drugs are not relieving heartburn, or if you have serious complications of heartburn, surgery may be required. The surgery is relatively simple and is called fundoplication. Its purpose is to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. The stomach is tied in such a way as to prevent acid from flowing backward into the esophagus. This surgery is successful for more than 85% of people.

Laparoscopic or Minimally Invasive fundoplications are essentially identical to the open operations and have yielded comparable results to the open cases approaching the 10 years. There is no reason to believe that the two approaches should not have similar long-term results. The major advantage laparoscopic surgery has over the open surgery is that now we can address the less than satisfactory results earlier since the pain and morbidity is much less than with the open approach. We are now accumulating a lot of experience reoperating patients who have previously had open or laparoscopic surgery. To redo a laparoscopic surgery is somewhat easier because fewer adhesions exist than after open surgery.