Acid-reducers-in-the-treatment-of-acid-reflux
By Groshan Fabiola
Acid Reflux (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) is a very common disorder that involves the regurgitation of the stomach inside the esophagus. The disorder produces symptoms such as heartburn, throat inflammation and pain, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. Some people experience sporadic symptoms of reflux, which tend to intensify after meals and during the night. However, most reflux disease sufferers may experience ongoing, persistent symptoms. People who are confronted with reflux on a frequent time basis are very exposed to the development of serious complications such as Barrett’s esophagus and even esophageal cancer. In order to keep the disorder under control and to avoid further complications, people with chronic forms of reflux need an appropriate medication treatment.

The treatment of reflux includes medications that normalize the stomach’s production of gastric acid. Considering the fact that most cases of reflux involve overproduction of digestive fluids and pepsin at the level of the stomach, the treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease is very similar to the treatment of ulcer or gastritis.

The most common medications used in the treatment of reflux are antacids. Although they provide rapid symptomatic relief for reflux sufferers, these medications also have some minuses. Antacids have limited action and they can only act to temporarily control the acidity of the stomach. Also, they are not strong enough to ameliorate reflux symptoms in more serious forms of the disorder.

Unlike other reflux medications, reducers (also known as H2 receptor antagonists or H2 blockers) have proved to be more effective in decreasing the intensity and the frequency of heartburn and other specific manifestations of gastro-esophageal disease. Strong reducers can only be purchased with medical prescription, while less strong types of reducers are also available in nonprescription forms. While the effects of antacids are diminished

after only 2-3 hours, a single dose of reducers can prevent the occurrence of reflux during the entire day.

Acid reducers can be used either in short-term or long-term medical treatments. The most commonly prescribed reducer is ranitidine. This medication is effective in overcoming non-complicated forms of reflux disease. A 6-week course of ranitidine can completely eliminate the symptoms of reflux for most people with the disorder. For people with more serious forms of gastro-esophageal disease, doctors may prescribe cimetidine or famotidine. reducers have mild side-effects that are usually perceived by people who follow ongoing treatment with such medications. Long-term use of reducers can produce headache, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, constipation or diarrhea. These side-effects disappear after reducing the dose of medications or after temporarily interrupting the treatment.

It is important to note that reducers aren’t appropriate for all reflux sufferers. Patients with esophagitis or Barrett’s esophagus don’t usually respond to treatments with reducers. For this category of people, doctors may prescribe proton pump inhibitors, medications that temporarily block the stomach’s production of gastric acid.

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Groshan Fabiola
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