Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist About Heartburn Relief
Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist About Heartburn Relief
One in 10 Americans has heartburn or acid reflux at least once a week, according to the American Gastroenterological Association. Whether you're one of the lucky few who generally has an iron stomach -- or you need heartburn relief nearly every day -- rest assured: You can soothe the burn.
Start by getting to know your local pharmacist. Uniquely trained in drug interactions and side effects, pharmacists can help you look at the medications you're already taking, uncover any potential side effects and drug interactions, and offer safe solutions for heartburn relief. Write out your full list of medications, including all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, any herbal or other natural remedies, and all vitamin and mineral supplements. Take it with you to the pharmacist and go over it together.
Understanding Hiatal Hernia -- Symptoms
The majority of people who have hiatal hernias don't even realize it. Those who do know typically find out when visiting a health care provider because of chronic heartburn. Symptoms may include: Heartburn, regurgitation Difficulty swallowing Chest pain radiating from below the breastbone A bloated feeling after eating Shortness of breath
Read the Understanding Hiatal Hernia -- Symptoms article > >
To start you on your way, here are seven key questions to ask your pharmacist about heartburn relief. You may want to print out this list and take it with you to the pharmacy.
Heartburn is a common side effect of many medications, from aspirin to osteoporosis drugs to steroids.
Simple heartburn that passes relatively quickly isn't dangerous -- certainly not life-threatening. But chronic, severe heartburn, especially with acid reflux, can eventually damage your esophagus if left untreated.
Many doctors and pharmacists suggest over-the-counter antacids for occasional heartburn. Histamine blockers, or H2-Blockers, such as Ranitidine (Zantac) and Famotidine (Pepcid) can also be found over-the-counter to help relieve symptoms of acid reflux. These are good acid reducers to start with if you haven’t been on any medications.
If heartburn symptoms persist, your doctor may suggest proton pump inhibitors, such as Rabeprazole (Aciphex), Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), Esomeprazole (Nexium), Lansoprazole (Prevacid),Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), or Pantoprazole (Protonix) to reduce the stomach's production of acid, or Metoclopramide (Reglan) to make the stomach empty itself faster. Your pharmacist or your doctor can explain how each drug works, and what to expect.
One safe, first step is to cut out any foods and drinks that trigger your heartburn symptoms. Coffee, chocolate, carbonated drinks, fatty and spicy foods, tomatoes, citrus fruits, some dairy, and alcohol are common heartburn triggers. With heartburn, eating smaller meals and avoiding food for two to three hours before bedtime can ease symptoms. You may want to keep a heartburn diary to help determine what foods trigger the problem. Cutting out smoking and losing weight if you're overweight can also relieve heartburn.
Start by getting to know your local pharmacist. Uniquely trained in drug interactions and side effects, pharmacists can help you look at the medications you're already taking, uncover any potential side effects and drug interactions, and offer safe solutions for heartburn relief. Write out your full list of medications, including all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, any herbal or other natural remedies, and all vitamin and mineral supplements. Take it with you to the pharmacist and go over it together.
Recommended Related to Heartburn/GERD
Understanding Hiatal Hernia -- Symptoms
The majority of people who have hiatal hernias don't even realize it. Those who do know typically find out when visiting a health care provider because of chronic heartburn. Symptoms may include: Heartburn, regurgitation Difficulty swallowing Chest pain radiating from below the breastbone A bloated feeling after eating Shortness of breath
Read the Understanding Hiatal Hernia -- Symptoms article > >
To start you on your way, here are seven key questions to ask your pharmacist about heartburn relief. You may want to print out this list and take it with you to the pharmacy.
1. Could medications I'm taking be causing my heartburn?
Heartburn is a common side effect of many medications, from aspirin to osteoporosis drugs to steroids.
2. Can I just wait and hope my heartburn goes away?
Simple heartburn that passes relatively quickly isn't dangerous -- certainly not life-threatening. But chronic, severe heartburn, especially with acid reflux, can eventually damage your esophagus if left untreated.
3. What's a safe, simple heartburn treatment?
Many doctors and pharmacists suggest over-the-counter antacids for occasional heartburn. Histamine blockers, or H2-Blockers, such as Ranitidine (Zantac) and Famotidine (Pepcid) can also be found over-the-counter to help relieve symptoms of acid reflux. These are good acid reducers to start with if you haven’t been on any medications.
If heartburn symptoms persist, your doctor may suggest proton pump inhibitors, such as Rabeprazole (Aciphex), Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), Esomeprazole (Nexium), Lansoprazole (Prevacid),Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), or Pantoprazole (Protonix) to reduce the stomach's production of acid, or Metoclopramide (Reglan) to make the stomach empty itself faster. Your pharmacist or your doctor can explain how each drug works, and what to expect.
4. Are there lifestyle changes that bring heartburn relief?
One safe, first step is to cut out any foods and drinks that trigger your heartburn symptoms. Coffee, chocolate, carbonated drinks, fatty and spicy foods, tomatoes, citrus fruits, some dairy, and alcohol are common heartburn triggers. With heartburn, eating smaller meals and avoiding food for two to three hours before bedtime can ease symptoms. You may want to keep a heartburn diary to help determine what foods trigger the problem. Cutting out smoking and losing weight if you're overweight can also relieve heartburn.
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