Acid Reflux Medications - Nexium
A large number of people are affected with acid reflux disease and its effects on your health can be devastating. Many people brush off the heartburn symptoms, but acid reflux is a serious disease that can cause major problems.
In addition to the heartburn symptom that is usually attributed to acid reflux, long-term effects such as Barrett’s esophagus, esophagitis, and even esophageal cancer can be induced if the condition is left untreated.
Acid reflux is caused when the corrosive acids that are found in your stomach are backed up into the esophagus. The caustic nature of stomach acid damages the esophagus, and causes the painful heartburn symptoms.
While everyone experiences some heartburn from time to time, acid reflux is marked by a chronic condition of heartburn. The problem occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter is not functioning appropriately.
The lower esophageal sphincter is situated in between the esophagus and the stomach, providing a means to close off the stomach so that the stomach’s acid does not enter the esophagus.
If the muscles of the lower esophageal sphincter are weakened, they are unable to adequately close off the stomach, leading to the acids of the stomach being regurgitated into the esophagus. Ultimately, the lining of the esophagus is worn away, often causing the sufferer to have difficulty swallowing.
One commonly prescribed acid reflux medication used for acid reflux treatment is known as Nexium. The pill advertises that it provides 24-hour heartburn relief. How does it perform such a feat?
The chemical compounds in Nexium work by shutting off some of the acid-producing cells in your stomach. While this acid reflux medication isn’t a proper cure for the problem, it does help to ease the damage caused to the esophagus by acid reflux.
Clinical trials of Nexium showed that a full nine out of ten patients that had erosions of the esophagus due to acid reflux could be helped by the acid reflux medication. This acid reflux medication takes between 4 and 8 weeks before any important healing of the esophagus occurs.
Types Of Nexium Acid Reflux Medication
The drug comes in two different dosages: 20 milligrams and 40 milligrams. The 20 milligram version of Nexium acid reflux medication is often prescribed to help those with a case of simple acid reflux, while the 40 milligram pill is usually reserved for those who have more advanced cases of acid reflux, such as erosive esophagitis.
Side Effects Of Nexium
Whenever deciding whether or not a new acid reflux medication may be right for you, it’s always significant to know the drug’s side effects. The side effects that have been found to occur in those who take Nexium include:
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
It is a prescribed acid reflux medication, so if you think that Nexium is right for you, contact your family doctor to see if it’s the best idea for you. Also, be sure to notify your doctor of any other medications that you may be taking, as certain acid reflux medication may counter-act each other’s efficiency.
