Meat
Ground beef, chuck
Marbled sirloin
Chicken nuggets
Buffalo wings

Vegetables
French fries
Onion, raw

Fruit
Orange juice
Lemon
Lemonade
Grapefruit juice
Cranberry juice
Tomato

Dairy
Sour cream
Milk shake
Ice cream
Cottage cheese, regular

Grains
Macaroni and cheese
Spaghetti with sauce

Beverages
Liquor
Wine
Coffee, decaffeinated or regular
Tea, decaffeinated or regular

Fats / Oils
Salad dressing, creamy
Salad dressing, oil & vinegar

Sweets / Desserts
Butter cookie, high-fat
Brownie
Chocolate
Doughnut

Source

Remember, each individual is different, and some foods may affect you more or less. Even with a change in diet, you may still have significant heart burn, and it is then you may want to ask your doctor about trying a a prescription medication. A drug like Nexium, Prilosec, Zantac or Prevacid may be the only way to eliminate your heartburn.

Heartburn or acid reflux is something that almost everyone has dealt with at one time or another and can be very discomforting, and to some, even debilitating. The good news is that now there are many different options and medications that can be used to treat heartburn or acid reflux. So many in fact, it may be a little overwhelming.

One of the most common ways to treat stomach acid and relieve heartburn, acid reflux, upset
stomach, or indigestion is to use a antacid. These are a great option for those who do not regularly suffer from acid reflux, and are looking for a quick way to neutralize an upset stomach. Antacids typically don’t have harsh side effects, and include commonly known drugs like Alka-Seltzer, Tums, Milk of Magnesia, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, and Pepto-Bismol.

Another option that is more commonly used by reoccurring acid reflux sufferers is an acid blocker. The two main types of acid blockers are histamine antagonists (H2 antagonist) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Histamine antagonists are used to reduce the secretion of gastric acid where as PPIs work by irreversibly blocking the gastric proton pump. Some of the popular acid blockers are: Axid AR, Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, Zantac 75, Prilosec, and Prevacid.

Possible serious side effects of acid blockers include, chest tightness, sore throat, fever, bleeding, weakness, and unusual fatigue should be reported to your doctor. Other, less serious side effects like headache, dizziness, or diarrhea, will usually go away on their own.

If you only have the occasional heartburn after a spicy meal, than antacids would probably be the best solution for your heartburn. If your heartburn is more serious, or you have it on a continual basis, an acid blocker would probably best suite your needs.

Whatever the case, the best bet is to visit your doctor and talk it over with him.

If you would like to save money on your heartburn medication, join eDrugSearch.com today.

Painful conditions of the esophagus and stomach are common in our society. Stress, obesity, poor diet, and smoking can all play a part. Whether you suffer from acid reflux or ulcers, controlling acid is probably part of your game plan for comfort and health. But there are two very similar acid-controlling drugs from the same parent company on the market: Prilosec and Nexium. How does a savvy healthcare consumer evaluate which one is right or them?

The basics:
Prilosec (omeprazole) was introduced in 1989. Nexium (esomeprazole) was released in 2001. These two drugs are very similar chemically — they are both proton pump inhibitors. This means inhibit the secretion of hydrochloric acid. Yet, they are subtly different: Nexium is often described as a “reflected” or “left-hand” version of Prilosec. They are both products of the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, and some parties have described Nexium as a “follow-up drug” to the wildly successful Prilosec; it was introduced just as Prilosec’s patent protection was about to expire.

The conditions they treat:

1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, commonly called acid reflux) is when the lining of the esophagus becomes inflamed from the regurgitation of stomach acid. Prilosec and Nexium can both treat GERD.
2. Duodenal ulcers: Prilosec and Nexium can both treat duodenal ulcers that are caused by a Helicobacter pylori infection, but only Prilosec can treat duodenal ulcers caused by other factors.
3. Gastric ulcers: Both drugs treat benign gastric ulcers, but Nexium is limited to treating such ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Prilosec can treat any type of gastric ulcer.

Your choices:

Prilosec is an older, more established drug, and thus has been approved to treat more conditions than Nexium has. If your condition is one that only Prilosec can treat, then your choice is crystal-clear.

However, if you are one of the millions of people whose condition is approved to be treated with either Prilosec or Nexium, then you have some research, discussion, and possibly even a trial run with the medication ahead of you. Someone suffering from acid reflux, for instance, would have a valid case to try either medication. If this is the case, discuss your particulars with your doctor for advice on which to start with.

The two drugs are so similar that many patients report choosing solely based on logistical factors such as availability and affordability. However, here are some other issues to consider in your comparison:

• Check your insurance plan: some cover both Prilosec and Nexium, while some only cover one choice.
• Prilosec has a generic version, while Nexium does not, which may affect your buying decision.
• Some people tolerate one drug better than its sibling; you may need to compare to learn what works for you.
• Prilosec can have a side effect of appetite loss, while this has not been reported with Nexium.
• Prilosec is generally recommended for shorter courses of treatment, while Nexium is often recommended for longer courses of 4-8 weeks.

These medications are very similar, but are not the same. Do not substitute. As with any drug, please consult your physician before taking.

• Protonix
• Zegerid
• Nexium
• Prilosec
• Prevacid

Or something else?

Sounds confusing, doesn’t it?

It isn’t, really. These drugs all do the same thing in basically the same way. And I hate to say it, but a big reason there are so many variations on the market has less to do with helping you than with lining the pockets of big pharmaceutical companies.

You see, two of the best-selling acid reflux drugs — Prilosec and Nexium — are essentially the same drug marketed by the same company, AstraZeneca. Nexium is derived from Prilosec, and AstraZeneca argues that it’s more effective, and has been aggressively making its case to doctors (helped by its wine-’em-and-dine-’em sales force.)

However, many critics believe AstraZeneca is full of it. For example, Dr. Marcia Angell, former editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, last year accused AstraZeneca of doctoring its comparative studies to produce a difference that wasn’t there.

I know — you’re probably not interested in the politics. Just understand that a lot of things go into the creation of new drug brands besides a concern for helping the patient.

The bottom line is that all of these drugs are something called “proton pump inhibitors,” and while there are some chemical differences among them, there is no definitive research that shows one more effective than another. That said, you as an individual patient may respond differently to each of the drugs — in terms of efficacy and side effects. So try one, and if it isn’t effective, try another. Zegerid, for example, combines the active ingredient with a sodium bicarbonate, which allows it to be sold as chewable tablets. This is good for folks seeking immediate relief.

As always, consult with your doctor and rely on his or her guidance in making a decision.

One other note: There’s a very important step you should take before getting a prescription for ANY of these medications. You should change your diet. A big reason acid reflux disease is rampant in the United States today is because our diets are terrible. Please follow these diet tips before starting on any medication.

Remember, taking an acid reflux drug caused by a poor diet only treats the symptom. It doesn’t make you healthier. That acid reflux may be your body’s way of telling you to feed it something else.