Heartburn has become such a widespread problem across the U.S. today that many people, approximately 44%, suffer with it at some point in their lives. The causes of heartburn can be something simple like eating too much spicy, acidic or fatty foods, drinking too much coffee, alcohol or smoking. There can also be a much more serious problem involved which is a medical condition known as a hiatal hernia. This is an opening in the diaphragm that if it becomes serious enough it must be surgically corrected. If you are at all concerned about this, then your medical professional can diagnose this by running a few routine medical tests.

What exactly is heartburn? It is certainly a common symptom of acid reflux disease or GERD. It feels like a burning pain that is lodged in the center of your chest. The cause of this is that the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. You will find a variety of treatments that are available over the counter and do not need a doctor's prescription. While many of these remedies may offer temporary relief, they may not always be a good choice. Here are some common treatments for acid reflux disease:

Antacids

This heartburn treatment works by neutralizing stomach acid. Antacids are able to provide fast relief from symptoms if you have occasional heartburn. However, any relief is usually short-lived. These are not usually recommended to treat the frequent and persistent heartburn that occurs with acid reflux sufferers.

H2 blockers

This group of medications reduces the amount of acid your stomach produces by blocking a signal that leads to the secretion of acid. They can help to heal any damage that has been done to your esophagus which is the tube that carries the food from the throat to the stomach. How does acid reflux happen? It is caused by a backflow of the stomach acid into the esophagus. It frequently happens when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES relaxes when it should not. This allows the harsh stomach acid to back up into the esophagus since it has nowhere else to go.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

The most effective heartburn treatment for GERD or acid reflux disease is the proton pump inhibitor, of which Nexium is one. You can only get this type of medication with a prescription from your doctor. Nexium not only offers heartburn relief but it help to heal the damage that has been caused to your esophagus by acid reflux. You are probably a candidate for Nexium if you have symptoms of heartburn that occur 2 or more days of the week despite diet change and other treatment.

For many people with acid reflux disease, stomach acid wears away the esophageal lining over time. This is called erosive esophagitis and can be diagnosed by a physician. For people who take Nexium, most erosions tend to heal in 4 to 8 weeks.

There are various side effects which may be associated with Nexium such as diarrhea, headache and abdominal pain. However, symptom relief does not necessarily rule out stomach conditions which may be serious.