Prilosec-Heartburn Relief Medication

Proton pump inhibitors and their role in treating different conditions

Proton pump inhibitors are medications which are used in treatment and management of conditions that are caused by overproduction of stomach acid or that are characterized by it. There are many different medical conditions that fall into this category.

The first are the peptic and gastric ulcers, including peptic ulcer disease. The cause of these conditions is in most cases infection by Helicobacter pylori bacteria which causes your body to produce too much of the hormone gastrin, which subsequently triggers an overproduction of gastric acid which is responsible for most of the symptoms of ulcers.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, most commonly referred to as GERD is the most common upper gastrointestinal disorder and it involves stomach acid coming up into the esophagus and harming this organ. The main symptom of GERD is heartburn. Laryngopharyngeal reflux, or LPR is a similar medical condition, only in this case, the stomach acid reaches the upper aero-digestive tract and causes different symptoms, such as hoarseness, cough and asthma for example.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a combination of overproduction of gastric acid, severe peptic ulceration and tumors of the pancreas. The symptoms of this rather serious gastrointestinal condition include weight loss, diarrhea, stomach ache, vomiting and melena.

Proton pump inhibitors can help prevent, manage and treat all of these conditions and Prilosec is one of the most commonly prescribed proton pump inhibitors on the market. In some countries, Prilosec is also available as an over-the-counter drug. Prilosec is used in treating all of the aforementioned conditions and another one of its uses is in the eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori. This therapy also includes antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin which are responsible for killing this strain of bacteria which is responsible for majority of ulcers of the stomach and the duodenum.

Basic info on the Prilosec treatment

As Prilosec is also available over the counter, it is more important than usually to be apprehensive about certain symptoms that might indicate a serious medical condition that could be affected by a Prilosec treatment. Always consult your doctor before taking Prilosec if you experience any of the following: difficulties swallowing, bloody stools, vomit resembling coffee grounds or blood, long-term heartburn, weight loss that cannot be explained, stomach pain, frequent chest pain, heartburn with wheezing, nausea and vomiting. Also, make sure you mention such conditions like liver or heart disease to your doctor if you intend to take Prilosec. They will tell you if it is safe. Prilosec comes in a number of forms, and depending on the one you are taking; you will need to know the proper procedure of ingesting your Prilosec. If you have any questions about this, or about side effects or possible interactions with other drugs, make sure you inquire with your doctor who will be more than glad to help. By doing so, you will make sure that your Prilosec treatment will be as efficient as possible.