Why Heartburn Medications Don’t Always Work

Why Heartburn Medications Don’t Always Work

When people begin to experience heartburn or acid reflux, a typical reaction is to reach for antacids or other medications.  There are plenty of times where that reaction can be effective.  If they work properly, the symptoms should subside in a short amount of time.  However, there are also times where people turn to heartburn medications and they don’t work.  Not only is that bad news for your discomfort, but it can also mean there are bigger problems that need to be addressed.

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One of the reasons the medications might not be working is that your acid reflux problem is more severe than you thought.  In cases like those, drugs aren’t going to be enough.  You need to see your doctor or a specialist.

Another reason why the drugs aren’t working is that you’re not actually experiencing acid reflux.  Instead, you could be experiencing symptoms that are more closely tied to heart disease.  Again, it’s important to visit a doctor in order to get a proper diagnosis of the problem.

Sometimes people think that as long as they have antacids or PPIs on stand-by, that they can eat whatever they want (and how much they want).  That’s not necessarily true.  It’s very possible that if you eat a large meal loaded with fat and acidic triggers, it might be too much for medication to handle.  If you go to bed or lie down immediately afterwards, that can also complicate the problem.

Sometimes anti-heartburn medications aren’t as effective because they aren’t taken at the right time.  It’s important to read the directions on the label to learn the ideal time to use them.  It could be minutes before or after eating a meal.  For example, if you’ve got a PPI like Prilosec, you don’t want to take that before meals – especially breakfast.  In order for the drug to block acid, there has to be food in the stomach to create it.

The bottom line is, if the medications aren’t working, you have a problem that needs further examination.  Take time to visit a doctor or specialist before it becomes a bigger health issue.  Houston Heartburn can help you. Contact us today to schedule a visit.