Last Sunday morning, for breakfast, I had some left over chicken from the night before. Then I had a bowl of cereal with some fruits. For lunch, I had a blueberry muffin and a tall iced Americano. Then my stomach started to feel not good. I took some antacids right away. That was when I started to wonder what the antacids are, if they are helpful, and what the side effects are.
When you eat or drink too much, your digestive system may generate too much acid. This can cause indigestion, lead to heartburn and many other digestive disorders. Antacids are a quick and inexpensive way to fix this problem only in temporary relieving, not in the cure. Once the effects of antacids are over, the stomach acids may again rise when you eat next. So we can not use antacids as a long term solution for heartburn and acid indigestion. It works just like a temporary band-aid. They contain ingredients such as aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and sodium bicarbonate, alone or in various combinations. Antacid products may also contain other ingredients such as simethicone, which relieves gas. Most antacids are weak based and have some alkali. But what does it really do in our body and is it helpful?
Antacids make you feel better by increasing the pH balance in your stomach. Normally, the acid level in your stomach is about 2 or 3. Trouble may start when your pH drops below those numbers. In order for the antacids to work, all they have to do is get you to 3 or 4. It does this by neutralizing some of the excess acid. Due to several complex factors, a base can't neutralize your acid all by itself. A base needs some chemical "helpers," or ingredients, which are sodium, calcium, magnesium, and aluminum. They reduce most of the stomach acid that can irritate the lining of esophagus and stomach. Antacids differ in how quickly they work and how long they provide relief. Those that dissolve rapidly in the stomach, such as magnesium hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate, bring the fastest relief. Antacids that contain calcium carbonate or aluminum dissolve more slowly and can take up to 30 minutes to begin working. The longer an antacid stays in the stomach, the longer it works. Also, taking any kind of antacid after a meal, instead of on an empty stomach, provides longer-lasting relief because the medicine stays in the stomach. So the antacids do work and can be helpful. However, these contain some side effects.
Antacids are meant to be used only occasionally. They should not be taken continuously for more than two weeks unless under a physician's directions. Taking antacids over long periods could mask the symptoms of a serious stomach orintestinal problem, such as peptic ulcer disease. Older people should be especially careful, as they may have ulcers without showing the typical symptoms. Symptoms of appendicitis include cramping, pain, and soreness in the lower abdomen, bloating, and nausea and vomiting. Side effects are very rare when antacids are taken as directed. They are more likely when the medicine is taken in large doses or over a long time. Minor side effects include a chalky taste, mild constipation or diarrhea, thirst, stomach cramps, and whitish or speckled stools. These symptoms do not need medical attention unless they do not go away or they interfere with normal activities.
Antacids are medicines that neutralize stomach acid. It brings the acid level in you stomach to 3 or 4 when your pH drops below 2 or 3. However, it only helps in temporary relieving, not in the cure. It should not be taken continuously because taking antacid for a long period of time will cause some minor side effects or even a serious disease. Antacids may be helpful if they are taken as directed, but there will be some consequences if you ignore the direction.
Sources
1. http://www.faqs.org/health/topics/50/Antacids.html
2. http://gerd.emedtv.com/antacids/antacids.html
3. http://www.stop-heartburn-indigestion.com/how-do-antacids-work.html
4. http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio115/pepsin.htm
5. http://www.cod.edu/dept/chem/poc/Experiments/Antacid-02/Antacid.htm
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