It is believed that as many as sixty million Americans have had that misfortune to experience heartburn, which is why it is one of the most lucrative medical markets from the point of view of heartburn medication manufacturing companies. When a person experiences a searing burning pain that can start from the breastbone and move upwards, the condition more than likely is nothing but heartburn. In such a condition, the stomach acid ends up moving the wrong way and leaves the stomach to enter a person’s esophagus which is consequently inflamed as well as irritated.

Neutralizing Acids Present In The Stomach

Approaching the problem of heartburn can take three different routes in which the first method used would be to take antacids which provide temporary relief. Such medications consist of calcium carbonate, magnesium as well as aluminum which help in neutralizing the acid present in the stomach and they are also known to act in a quick manner. There are antacids such as Pepto-Bismol that prevent the acid from making contact with the esophagus and thus help prevent heartburn. Other heartburn medication such as Gaviscon help in making a foam barrier that lies between the stomach and the esophagus.

Another type of heartburn medication is H2 blockers of which certain drugs such as Cimetidine, Ranitidine, and Nizatidine as also Famstidine help in giving relief from heartburn as they suppress the production of acid in the stomach. This form of heartburn medication only take an hour or two to provide relief and this relief may last for at most twelve hours.

You might also want to try out proton pump inhibitors (PPI) which include Omeprazole and also Lansoprozole that help switch off the production of acid though in a manner that is not the same as that of H2 blockers. With this heartburn medication, the proton pump in the stomach’s mucus lining is interfered with and thus effectively provides relief from heartburn within an hour while its effects are good for a whole day. It is also possible to use these heartburn medications in combination by taking antacid along with H2 blockers which will provide immediate relief as well as long term relief respectively.

Though the effectiveness of these heartburn medications is yet to be established most physicians would agree that they are good supporting medications. An alternative to these heartburn medications is taking OTC drugs, which are effective up to a point; though for a problem that lasts for a longer period, it may be necessary to get advice from your physician since the heartburn could be a warning of an even worse and more serious condition.

Far too many of us rely upon over the counter and prescription medications to solve all of our health issues. This is not necessarily bad but why stick to drugs when there are alternative methods available. For relatively minor issues such as heartburn, an effective herbal remedy can be a much safer solution than using stomach acid inhibitors, for example. In ordinary cases, using an herbal remedy to cure heartburn can be more natural and cause fewer side effects than other medications. Also, they can normally be taken in conjunction with other prescription medications so that most sufferers of heartburn have a solution that works.

Before replacing heartburn medication with an herbal remedy, a consultation with a doctor would normally be the best course of action to take as there may be some herbal remedies that have negative side effects or that will adversely affect a pre-existing medical condition. But, generally speaking, switching to an herbal remedy to defeat heartburn is a better and quicker alternative to antacids or acid inhibitors. Many sufferers of heartburn find that an herbal remedy often works much more swiftly than the alternatives.

Heartburn Herbal Remedy that Works

Finding an herbal remedy that really works against heartburn can be difficult at times as each case can vary and be caused by different circumstances. But there are so many different types of herbal remedy on the market geared towards beating the symptoms of heartburn that it is hard to go wrong. There are some expensive herbal supplements designed to combat heartburn but there are also other alternatives which can often be much cheaper.

Peppermint oil is often used as part of an herbal remedy against heartburn but chewing gum can be just as effective. Although some people believe that mint and vinegar can cause heartburn, others use them as a remedy. Licorice is, depending on opinion, a tasty option that can help against heartburn symptoms.

There are also many herbals supplements that contain bitter flavors such as thistle or dandelion. Plant oils are often thought to be extremely soothing and in turn effective against the acid and burning sensations caused by heartburn. Lavender, aniseed and chicory are all well known for soothing the effects of heartburn for various reasons so it is no wonder that people are now choosing to seek an herbal remedy as a heartburn cure rather than average antacid.