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.

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• 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.