Antacids for Acid Reflux

It is very easy to purchase antacids over the counter - and it is much cheaper to do this than to go to the doctor for prescription medication when you have a problem with heartburn.

But is it wise to simply pop an antacid pill whenever you feel that burning in your chest? Before taking antacids there are several things to consider.

* While taking antacids may appear to solve the problem of acid reflux, they are really only masking the symptoms of an underlying problem. A band-aid solution to mask symptoms does not solve the initial problem.

Wouldn’t it be better to find out what your problem is and go for a proper cure? Then there will be no symptoms to bother you.

* You may find that antacids give temporary relief, but they can actually make the problem worse in the long run.

Antacids neutralize the acid in your stomach, but this acid is necessary to deal with food and break it down. If there is not enough acid to do this, the stomach tends to produce even more - not the result you wanted.

* When the stomach acid is neutralized, food is not properly digested. This not only leads to more indigestion, but it means that you are not getting the nutrients you need from your food.

So long-term use of antacids may cause malnutrition, or it may mean that you are lacking certain nutrients you need for optimum health. You may feel tired and lacking in stamina and not know why.

* You may find that antacids often have unpleasant side effects such as constipation or diarrhea. If they are the types that contain magnesium salts, this can build up in the body and effect kidney function.

Minor side effects that are less likely to be as irritating are increased thirst, a chalky taste in the mouth and stomach cramps.

* Antacids frequently interact with other medications such as antibiotics, altering their affect in the body. In fact if you take other medication, you should always check with your doctor before you take antacids.

Your health-care professional should also be informed of antacid taking if he orders any medical tests, as antacids can alter or interfere with the accuracy of certain tests.

* If you have severe symptoms of acid reflux antacids may not help at all. People with only mild GERDS (gastro esophageal reflux disease) symptoms may find taking antacids helps temporarily, but if their symptoms are more debilitating, there will often be no noticeable ease at all. So really they are ingesting ingredients that can harm rather than help.

Acid reflux can be one of the symptoms of a much more serious health problem. It could mean that you have a peptic ulcer.

If you diagnose yourself you run the risk of not getting the kind of treatment you should really be having for something that is not acid reflux at all.

It is wiser to get that initial diagnosis for a heartburn or acid reflux problem so that you know what you are dealing with.

Learn more about your health online when you read the rest of our information here about: acid reflux and digestive health issues

** Further reading through our articles on health issues will give you a body of information that will help you decide what options you have to deal with the underlying causes of your problem through giving your body the nutrition products that will assist you body to heal from the inside out.

You can visit our health food products page here: Herbalife Health Nutrition Supplements and learn more about our core nutrition program, the Cellular Nutrition Advanced Program and also check out these targeted products, Florafiber to replace your healthy flora and Aloe Vera Juice to help cleanse your system.

We wish you well in your search for solutions to this problem and your movement towards better health in all areas.

Contact Us if you would like a private consultation with us about your health online.

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