Tratamientos y antiácidos treatment and antacids
Tratamientos y antiácidos treatment and antacids
ANTACIDS AND INDIGESTION
Gastrointestinal discomfort is usually presented as acidity, indigestion or heartburn. Self-testing in all conditions related to indigestion is very dangerous, as its causes may vary from a minor disorder to a peptic ulcer or even a more severe disease. There is many people who self-treat these conditions. However, if the symptoms last for more than two weeks, the most appropriate would be to see a specialist.
The aim of the acidity excess treatment is preventing the acid production inside the stomach and its neutralization. Many medicines reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach and relieve symptoms, thus improving the digestive process, while antacids are neutralizing agents that act faster. They are able to neutralize the extremely acid stomach pH, considerably relieving the symptoms in a large number of people.
Antacids are usually very safe and may be composed of aluminum and magnesium salts, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. All of them act quickly against heartburn; however, their duration effect is variable. Some products relieve symptoms for less than 10 minutes, while there are some others that work effectively for a longer time that can last more than 90 minutes.
The most used antacid products
Magnesium and aluminum salts
Antacids made of aluminum and magnesium salts may look the best ones, as they complement each other. Aluminum hydroxide dissolves slowly once inside the stomach and acts gradually, providing a prolonged relief. However, it may cause constipation. Magnesium salts act quickly, yet they may have some laxative effects.
In spite of the positive aspects of these salts, long-term safety of aluminum compounds has been called into question. Therefore, a long-term use may weaken bones, as aluminum compounds lead to a decrease in the amount of the body’s phosphorus and calcium.
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is the main antacid that has been used over the last few years. It acts quickly and neutralizes acids for a relatively long time. Another advantage is that it is a great source of calcium.
A daily intake must not exceed 2000 milligrams, unless a doctor instructs you otherwise.
Sodium bicarbonate
It is one of the most known antacids. Sodium bicarbonate has been used as an acidity neutralizing agent for decades and it is a great solution against short-term indigestion. However, an excess of sodium bicarbonate may change the body’s acid-base balance, what leads to advising its moderate use. The use of sodium bicarbonate may be related to belching, because of the release of carbon dioxide.
CONCLUSIONS
Antacids are generally the most indicated and used first-line products if there is an occasional heartburn, as they fastly relieve pain and discomfort, helping to ease the digestive process.
GASTROtabs RAPID®+ is a product that has the advantage of containing 3 main ingredients with antacid properties, between all its ingredients: Magnesium carbonate, Calcium Carbonate and Sodium Bicarbonate. These ingredients can be used always when there is a need to relieve pain and discomfort caused by a poor occasional digestion.