Antacids

=__**ANTACIDS**__= =__W____hat A____re__ __Antacids?__=

Antacids are nonprescription drugs and medicines that are used to treat an over excess of acid that is produced by the stomach, therefore they are known as acid reducers. Antacids are also considered bases as they help by increasing the balance of the pH level within one's stomach and neutralizing acids.

Antacids fall into two different classes by the way they perform their task: == = =
 * Antacids that act upon chemical neutralization to neutralize gastric acid (sodium bicarbonate)
 * Antacids that act upon absorption to do away with an over excess of stomach acid (magnesium and carbon salts).

=__When Are Antacids Needed?__=

Antacids are needed whenever there is an over excess of acid produced by the stomach. The stomach naturally secretes various acids such as hydrochloric acid in the breaking down of proteins. With its secretion of acid this causes the stomach's various contents to be very acidic in nature and therefore the stomach contains a pH level of 2 or 3. In relation to other digestive structures; structures such as the stomach, duodenum, and esophagus are all protected from the a cid secreted within the stomach by certain mechanisms. As discussed, the stomach may often secrete an over excess of acid (dropping below pH levels of 2 or 3) this causes for a disturbance in the lining of the stomach and may even cause damage towards the esophagus or duodenum. This then gives way towards many gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and heart burn.

Antacids are also needed when you have the following:
 * Indigestion
 * Gastritis
 * Heartburn
 * Gastroesophageal reflux disease
 * Peptic ulcer
 * Bouts of Dysepsia

media type="youtube" key="NQhwNtY3N2k" height="315" width="420" In this commercial, one can see why antacids are needed!


 * __ How Antacids Work __**

When there is an over excess of acid in the stomach there is a pH level that has dropped below 2 or 3 therefore the use of antacids are needed to neutralize the acid relieving pain. Antacids are needed in these situations as they act as bases, therefore they help by increasing the balance of the pH level in the stomach. In order for an antacid to help with gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e. heartburn) the antacid would simply need to raise pH levels in the stomach to a level of 3 or 4. In order for this to happen the antacid needs to neutralize some of the acid. However a base cannot neutralize an acid on its own, it requires the help of other chemical substances such as:
 * Sodium
 * Calcium
 * Magnesium
 * Aluminum

Note: Antacids do not stop the production of stomach acid. Along with changing the pH level within the stomach to protect the esophagus they may also create a protective barrier making the acid less damaging or produce a gel on the stomach's surface protecting.

= = Here is an example of antacids in action in a science experiment that even you can preform.
 * The pH system is a scale measuring from acidity to alkalinity of a substance or environment, in this case the stomach. The scale ranges from 0 to 14 where a pH of 7 is neutral and below 7 you are dealing with an acid and above the opposite, a alkaline.media type="youtube" key="EXGHpXlBgZA" height="315" width="560"

= = __ **Types of Antacids** __
 * __ Examples Known Antacids Used Today: __**
 * Alka-Seltzer
 * Amitone
 * Bismarex
 * Di-Gel[[image:http://www.peptobismol.com.mx/images/home/home_products.png align="right" caption="A known antacid "Pepto-Bismol""]]
 * Dialume
 * Gaviscon
 * Losopan
 * Lansoprazol
 * Milk of Magnesia
 * Omeprazole
 * Pepto Bismol
 * Ranitidine
 * Riopan
 * Tums

The different types of antacids relate to their key ingredient as mentioned earlier. They include:


 * Sodium bicarbonate Antacids
 * Calcium carbonate Antacids
 * Magnesium-based Antacids
 * Aluminium-magnesium Antacids
 * Antacids with Alginic acid

=** Sodium Antacids: **= Sodium antacids include sodium bicarbonate; sodium bicarbonate can mainly be found in products such as Alka-Seltzer or baking soda. These antacids are mainly used to treat heart burn symptoms and acid indigestion, however they do not last very long within the stomach and therefore often call for constant use. The use of sodium antacids can often cause the production of carbon dioxide as it reacts with stomach acid.

Side effects: Sodium antacids should be avoided by those who are on sodium restricted diets or have heart failure, high blood pressure, or kidney problems. It is also not suggested that pregnant women take antacids containing sodium bicarbonate.

= =

=** Calcium Antacids: **= Calcium antacids contain calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate and are commonly made up of products that are chewable tablets such as Tums. Antacids that contain calcium carbonate are used to aid with heartburn, indigestion, and an upset stomach. Antacids that contain calcium are known to last longer than antacids that contain magnesium or sodium. In addition, these products are rich in calcium which is a common factor that is missing in adult diets.

Side effects: If the amount of the product containing calcium carbonate is exceeded then there is a high risk of constipation. An even higher dosage of the product can clog kidneys and reduce the amount of blood they can process. Extended use of calcium antacids can also lead to kidney stones.

= = =** Magnesium Antacids: **= Magnesium Antacids come in many different chemical forms such as carbonate, glycinate, hydroxide, oxide, and many more. Many magnesium antacids come in salt form and act quickly to neutralize the acid present within the stomach; this is also because they are also found in liquid form, whereas other antacids are in tablet form. Magnesium antacids alone are rarely used due to the fact that they are known to cause diarrhea, however they are combined with aluminum for the counteracting of the laxative effect that many magnesium antacids contain.

Side Effects: Magnesium salts may cause diarrhea if used alone, therefore it is suggested that it is taken with aluminum, however, most antacids containing magnesium also contain aluminum and vice versa.



Aluminum antacids contain aluminum salts and are mainly made up of aluminum carbonate and aluminum hydroxide. Unlike magnesium antacids they dissolve slowly in the stomach and cause constipation; therefore some antacids best contain both aluminum and magnesium so that they counteract to prevent diarrhea and constipation. However aluminium antacids gradually relieve heartburn symptoms in the stomach and esophagus. Many aluminium antacids are used with a low phosphate diet to treat hyperphosphatemia (an excess of phosphate in the blood) since they are used to bind phosphate in the intestine and prevent it from being absorbed into the body. Due to this factor aluminium carbonate or aluminium hydroxide can also be used with a low phosphate diet to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
 * Aluminum Antacids:**

Side Effects: Aluminium antacids may cause constipation therefore it is wise to use them along with aluminium salts. In addition, long term use of aluminium salts and and aluminium antacids is not recommended due to the fact that it can deplete the body of phosphorous and calcium therefore increasing the risk of weak bones.

 Other antacids containing alginic acid such as Gaviscon allow for a foaming agent that floats on top of the stomach contents. This allows for the prevention of stomach juices coming in contact with the esophagus.
 * Other Antacids: **

 Side effects: These antacids, however, can cause a chalky taste within the mouth, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

Antacids that contain simethicone such as Mylanta Gas break down gas bubbles in the stomach, therefore they reduce burping. Burping can often push stomach acid into the esophagus. Side effects: These antacids may cause nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or headaches.

**__ Are Antacids For Everyone? __ **

There are some considerations and side effects to take in place when using antacids.

=** Considerations: **= Children under 12 years of age are not recommended to use antacids. This is to prevent interference with how much calcium is absorbed by a child's bloodstream and children under 12 years of age should have an accurate level of calcium so their bones are healthy. The use of antacids has been discovered to cause rickets when there is either aluminum or magnesium in them. This disorder can cause softening and weakness in the bones. Antacids which are composed with aluminium should not be used with children having kidney disease, infants under 2 years of age.

=** Side effects: **= Antacid containing aluminium have the following side effects: diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, weakness, osteoporosis, kidney stones, swelling in wrists or ankles. Also, magnesium containing sodium bicarbonate may include: nausea and vomiting, slow breathing, problems in urination, headaches, loss of appetite, mood or mental changes, muscle pain, tiredness and weakness.

Chemical antacids have the fastest onset of action which can cause "acid rebound" meaning that the gastric acid goes back in a greater concentration after the drug effect has stopped. Also patients with hypertension should not use antacids due to the high concentration of sodium in some antacids.


 * __ Are Antacids Effective?  __**

They effectiveness of antacids vary between the short run and long run. Antacids are effective for short-term usage because they can relieve pain, however, for long-term usage, there are other medicines prescribed by doctors which can definitely better a patients condition. This includes proton-pump inhibitors (PPI's), which can reduce how much acid a stomach can produce.

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