If you have heartburn and consult with your doctor, ranitidine will be prescribed. It is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist, which prevents the production of stomach acid.
If you want to avoid costly prescription drugs, what are your alternatives?
Gaviscon is a cheap treatment for heartburn. It contains sodium alginate, a bicarbonate and calcium carbonate. They reduce stomach acid by creating a layer on the stomach contents and around the gullet (esophagus). This way, the acid cannot regurgitate from the stomach.
You may find the generic version of ranitidine over-the-counter which costs lower than the prescribed ones. Just ask your pharmacist. You can save a lot if you are using it on a long-term basis. If you are looking for an immediate relief of heartburn, try natural remedies like ginger and aloe vera juice.
If you are sufferring from acid reflux, you know how miserable it is. You can't sleep comfortably at night or eat the way you like it. The conventional ways to stop acid reflux are to use medicines and surgeries. Medicines work by diluting the stomach acid before it splashes into the esophage while surgeries aim to tighten part of the stomach around a lower esophageal muscle.
A few years ago, the FDA approves the use of LINX, a bracelet-like device to manage heartburn. It is believed that LINX can cure the digestive issues. After a recent study to show its safe use up to 5 years, doctors probably will recommend it as the first-line therapy for GERD.
The LINX device, which looks like a bracelet and is made with medical-grade titanium beads, each with a magnetic core, is about the size of a ring finger in diameter. It’s surgically tunneled into the body and clasped around the lower esophageal sphincter, where it physiologically helps the muscle open and contract before and after food is swallowed. By correcting that weak muscle, the device effectively prevents the regurgitation of stomach acid from racing up through the esophagus.
Some people use Zantac as an
immediate heartburn relief. But is it safe to consume it for several
months continuously? If you use H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors
for too long, your body will suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. As a
result, you may experience anemia, nerve damage, depression, fatigue,
and dementia if you're elderly.
I
have learned that naturally prepared remedies work better than
medications as they don't cause side effects. During my search for quick
relief for stomach bloating last year, I came across a digestive
supplement called Rezvera. Not only it stopped my heartburn but it also
repaired my damaged digestive system. I thought of writing about it, but
then I found someone had written a comprehensive review on Rezvera. I
couldn't do a better job than this writer. If you're interested in
natural supplements or looking for cures for your indigestion, irritable
bowel syndrome or GERD, I suggest you read her post at http://www.audreyadams.net/rezvera-reviews/.
If you've suffered from severe
heartburn, the symptoms can be painful. You feel the burning sensations
from the stomach to the esophagus. You also find almost impossible to
lie down. Other symptoms such as bloating and belching affect your daily
routine.
If you want immediate relief for your heartburn, try the following remedies.
The quick way to get rid of acid reflux is to use baking soda or sodium bicarbonate. It is a common baking ingredient. It neutralizes stomach acid very fast. It also keeps your body's pH level in balance and improves your digestion. Here is a simple recipe. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water. Drink it every two hours for instant relief. If you have hypertension, please consult your doctor first as it can elevate your blood pressure.
Garlic is an instant heartburn relief. It has been used for ages as a home remedy for poor digestive health. It soothes your stomach immediately, stopping acid reflux.
Ginger tea is an quick heartburn treatment. Grab a few slices of fresh ginger and add them to a glass of boiling water. Let it diffuse for ten minutes while. Then remove the ginger and drink the tea when it cools down. If you suffer from indigestion regularly, prepare your ginger tea early.
Apple cider vinegar is a popular fast heartburn remedy. Only use organic ACV. One tablespoon should be enough to relieve the discomforts. However, don't drink it straight. The vinegar's acidity may be too strong for your esophagus and tooth enamel. Always dilute ACV with water before consuming it. Remember to rinse your mouth to remove any excess vinegar from damaging your tooth enamel.
Eating apple can provide instant heartburn cure. It works better than antacids. When you go for your grocery shopping, pick only the crispy ones. McCoun, Gala, or Honeycrisp, would be an excellent choice.
If you have indigestion after meals, try drinking a glass of mixed lemon and honey. They contain enzymes that neutralize digestive juices immediately and reduce the overproduction of stomach acid.
Aloe vera juice can fix your acid reflux quickly. It soothes the inflamed intestines and prevents the excessive production of gastric acid. If you don't like the taste, you can mix it with other fruit juices
If you are a fan of popping medicines, try Alka-Seltzer. It counteracts the stomach acid almost instantly and calms an irritated esophagus. For severe heartburn, dissolve two tablets in cold water and drink it. You should feel less pain in less than 15 minutes. You should know that different people respond not the same to the same treatments. Don't depend on one remedy. You should try a few until you find one that gives a fast heartburn relief.
If you experience any side effect, you should stop using the remedy and check with your doctor. Maybe your acid reflux is more serious than you think.
Certain foods can be the reason why you have heartburn or GERD. Although some foods can aggravate heartburn, but there are others that can calm the stomach acid that is making its way through your esophagus.
Try the following foods if you want to manage your heartburn properly.
Whole wheat pasta with olive-oil or white sauces: Tomato sauce is acidic and a surefire way to serve you up some heartburn. So go for a light Alfredo sauce or olive-oil sauce instead. Choose whole wheat pasta over white pasta since high-fiber foods can help alleviate symptoms. Source: http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Foods-Prevent-Heartburn-4638004
Oatmeal is just about the best breakfast and any-time-of-day snack recommended by The Reflux Diet. It’s filling and doesn’t cause reflux. Even instant oatmeal with raisins is “legal” because the oatmeal absorbs the acidity of the raisins. Source: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20440834_2,00.html You’ll start your day off with fewer digestive issues if you blend an almond milk smoothie for breakfast. “If you tend to have reflux, almond milk is a great balancer,” Chutkan says. “It’s alkaline so it helps neutralize acidic foods. To make a filling smoothie that tastes great, try blending together 1 cup of strawberries, 1 frozen banana to make it creamy, one 1 of unsweetened almond milk and 1 cup of spinach.” Source: http://www.prevention.com/food/foods-soothe-heartburn
I hope these suggestions can help you to soothe your heartburn.
