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🇸🇬 Singapore /Health & Science

What is the best way to treat heartburn? How to choose the right treatment

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Explainer Named sources Context piece
  • Heartburn occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, causing burning, pain and regurgitation.
  • Antacids provide rapid relief for mild, occasional symptoms, while H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors reduce acid production and suit more frequent symptoms.
  • Alginate medicines form a gel-like barrier that helps prevent stomach acid from passing into the oesophagus.

Heartburn can feel as though a burning liquid is rising from the stomach into the chest and throat. It affects about 20 per cent of people in the United States regularly, and several types of over-the-counter medicine can treat it in different ways.

The problem begins when the valve between the stomach and oesophagus weakens, allowing stomach acid to flow backwards. Dr Byron Cryer, president of the American Gastroenterological Association, said red wine, tomato sauce, chocolate, mint, large meals, pregnancy and being overweight can increase the risk. GLP-1 drugs may also contribute because they delay stomach emptying.

the backward flow

· Dr Byron CryerHe described how stomach acid moves back into the oesophagus during acid reflux.

Antacids such as Tums and Rolaids work by “instantly neutralising” stomach acid, said Dr Sumona Bhattacharya, a gastroenterologist at George Washington University. They are best for “rapid relief” from mild, occasional symptoms and work most effectively after symptoms begin. They do not reduce acid production.

instantly neutralising

· Dr Sumona BhattacharyaShe explained how antacids work.

H2 blockers reduce acid production by blocking histamine receptors in stomach cells. They can help with more intense symptoms occurring once or twice a week, either as needed or daily to prevent heartburn, although they can take up to an hour to work.

Proton pump inhibitors block the enzyme that secretes acid and may help people with chronic heartburn when taken daily. They work best on an empty stomach. Alginate medicines, meanwhile, use seaweed-derived compounds to form a gel-like barrier between the stomach and oesophagus. Some also contain an antacid.

rapid relief

· Dr Byron CryerHe described the benefit antacids can provide for mild, infrequent symptoms.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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