Untreated or incorrectly treated acid reflux heartburn can lead to a more serious condition such as gastoesophageal reflux disease or GERD. In fact my pastor was already starting to have some of the symptoms GERD as a result of not correctly taking his medications. He also related that another pastor of a nearby church was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus and his prognosis was very guarded. Apparently he was also not taking his medications according his doctors orders over the past several years. Many people just do not like to take any kind of medication and as soon as the symptoms of their medical condition improve they quit taking their medicine. In addition they never bother to inform their physician of their decision until the condition become so serious that they need more intensive treatment options.

The lack of communication with your physician in conjunction with not taking your acid reflux heartburn medication correctly can lead to serious or even deadly consequences. Recent reports indicate that the number of people diagnosed with esophageal cancer is on the rise in America. In addition it also reported that the number of people who are diagnosed with gastro-esophageal reflux disease has also increase over the last ten years. The sad truth is that much of the suffering related to serious acid reflux disease is preventable with proper use of medications along with a change in life style. Changing your life style can be tough and will require lots of discipline and patience but taking your acid reflux medication is really not that hard. You can continue to suffer from the symptoms of heartburn and risk contracting a more serious condition or you can take your acid reflux medications, the choice is yours.

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Category: Antacids
Antacids work on the principal that you can neutralize acids into salts by providing an alkali compound for the acid to react with. Most antacids are built around a magnesium base (milk of magnesia), aluminum, or calcium. The drawback of antacids is that when they’re gone from the stomach, the stomach will build up acid again. So, the best way to take antacids is either just before a meal, or immediately after. Drinking milk with a meal also works as a mild antacid. Most antacids will give relief for about an hour after ingestion, up to two hours with a meal.

Category: Histamine Antagonists
Histimine antagonists are a relatively recent category of drugs that block the receptor that triggers the stomach into making more acid. Brand names include Zantac and Protectic. This category of drug is now available as an over the counter drug, generally called renitidine. This category of drug generally takes 30-60 minutes to take effect, and can be moderately expensive.

Category: Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton Pump Inhibitors block the hydrogen/potassium enzyme system, which is the last step in getting the stomach to produce acid. This drug can have irreversable effects (greatly reducing the amount of acid the stomach produces) and is generally prescription only because of this. This category of drug (sold under the brand names Prilosec and Nexium) is not available as an over the counter agent, but does have effects that persist for days (the cells that they inhibit eventually are replaced by the body’s healing agents.)

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