When you experience your first experience of heartburn, you may think you're having a heart attack. Regardless how painful the sensations might be, however, they've nothing to do with your heart and everything to do with your stomach. When stomach acid accumulates and it is forced back up your esophagus, it produces heartburn. Therefore, the key to avoiding heartburn would be to keep your stomach acid low and flowing how it really is meant to flow. It is not always possible, though, and you will want some type of heartburn medication that can relieve the symptoms and help your body get back on track.

There are numerous different types of medications that are used for heartburn, and perhaps they are all effective in their own way. You may be most informed about antacids, such as Tums, that work to neutralize stomach acid and eradicate the pain. If you keep a bottle of antacids in the house and carry some inside your purse or pocket, you'll be good to go whenever an attack might hit you. Antacids usually work quickly, and taking them according to the instructions on the bottle will almost certainly get rid of the issue immediately. However, you'll need to keep in mind that not every medication will work precisely the same for everyone who takes it.

If antacids alone aren't going to cut it in your case, you may want to try a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that can lower the production of stomach acid thereby lessening your chances of getting heartburn. If you've heard the TV commercials advertising Prevacid, you will know this is a PPI which is prescribed for patients suffering with acid reflux disease, that's an acute kind of heartburn. It's not the right medication for everybody who suffers from occasional bouts of heartburn, though, so talk with your doctor to determine if he feels you will benefit from taking it. It can result in diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and nausea in some cases.

A third type of heartburn medication consists of H-2 blockers, like Zantac, which can be purchased over-the-counter. These medicines are a lot less potent than their prescription counterparts, however they may take care of your problem, because they do effectively block acid production.

Should you suffer from heartburn, even infrequently, you're sure to want to find some type of heartburn remedies that can relieve the symptoms and also keep these things from coming to start with. Consult your physician about your options, and let him recommend the best course of action for you.