There are many heartburn cures available in the market these days but there isn’t enough information about these cures to help individuals decide which remedies are best for them. The makers of these heartburn remedies put a lot of information on their ads but these advertisements really don’t tell consumers anything. Have you seen an ad about heartburn cures telling you how to choose the right medication? The only thing they tell you is that you should use their product to get relief – regardless if it is the best option for you or not.

Prior to selecting a remedy for your heartburn, you should first consider making some changes in your lifestyle because your bad habits may well be the culprit causing your heartburns. The easiest thing you can do to prevent heartburn is to find out the types of foods that trigger this condition. Foods that are known to trigger acid reflux causing heartburn include tomatoes, chocolates, fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, caffeine-based foods and beverages and citrus fruits. Alcoholic drinks and smoking cigarettes also trigger heartburn so you should minimize your drinking and smoking habits.

Your Options for Heartburn Cures

There are remedies you can opt for that not only bring relief from the symptoms of heartburn but also prevent its occurrence. These remedies are:

1. H2 blockers – there are over-the-counter H2 blockers which you can take before a meal to ensure that heartburn does not occur. Some OTC products you can try include Pepcid AC, Zantac 75 and Axid. H2 blockers block histamine 2 which are leading producers of acid in the body, thus lowering the level of acid present in the stomach.
2. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – these are said to be most effective in preventing heartburn as they stop the release of acid in the intestines and stomach. Taking PPIs are often prescribed to help heal the irritated esophagus due to constant acid reflux. OTC proton pump inhibitors include Prilosec OTC however most other PPIs are prescribed by a physician. Caution is required when considering the use of PPIs as these treatments can make the user more prone to bacterial or viral infections. If prescribed with a proton pump inhibitor, be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. PPIs can lower the absorption rate of other drugs.

If you are looking for heartburn cures that can treat the symptoms of heartburn after it has already begun, you can take an antacid tablet. Such tablets are commonly available over-the-counter and work by neutralizing the acid in the stomach thus bringing quick relief. Antacids are also quite effective for occasional heartburn but may not be able to help much if your symptoms are severe, recurring or already due to acid reflux disease. In such cases, you may need to consult a physician for tests and more potent treatment options or heartburn cures.