Prilosec Prevents Heartburn
March 10th, 2010
Prilosec, whose generic name is omeprazole, is an effective treatment for heartburns. Heartburns occur when there are just too much acid that is being produced by the stomach due to too much eating of highly fatty foods, too much alcohol intake, obesity, and wearing of too tight restrictive clothing. When it happens, the feeling of a burning and pulsating chest pain begins to appear. With Prilosec, these symptoms will be eliminated.
In the medical setting, Prilosec belongs to a class of drugs called proton-pump inhibitors. These drugs inhibit the actual source of acid production, at the proton pump of the stomach themselves. With that, acid production is halted and the reflux of the stomach’s acidic contents to the esophagus is eliminated as well. When there is a reflux of acid to the esophagus, the following symptoms are felt:
- Dysphagia (difficulty of swallowing)
- heartburns
- regurgitation of stomach contents
Prilosec stops the heartburn in a heartbeat! The acidic refluxes will be prevented and the heartburn problem will be treated with a once daily for 14-days treatment plan. Although, one must keep in mind not to miss the pill for this 14-day treatment even if there seems to be no more recurring reflux problems. The pill works for 24-hours and is to be taken in the morning even without meals yet. Prilosec can be bought over-the-counter without the doctor’s prescription, so if the following symptoms as mentioned are present, it is good to pop in a pill. If however, one pill is missed, take that missed pill on the next day while continuing on the one pill daily regimen. Omeprazole, or Prilosec, is available in the market as tablets or capsules and are taken in orally. There is also a powdered form that can be instilled with sterile water and to be injected directly to the patient.
Besides Prilosec serving as heartburn preventive and treatment measure, it is also important to remember that coffee, alcohol, fatty foods and smoking, increases acid production in the stomach. It is best to avoid all these types of food so as not to counter-act with the drug. Remember also not to eat while lying down or to eat 2-3 hours prior to bedtime so as not to increase the risks of developing a reflux problem. Please take note that although chest pains may present to be heartburns, but if the pain seems to be lingering even with Prilosec intake, of that the chest pain seems to be excruciating and that there are associated pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders and back, please consult your nearest physician immediately. Chest pains should not be taken lightly as these may present a bigger problem. Always check with your doctor for proper diagnosis.