Heartburn, also called gastric reflux, is the result of stomach acid passing through the cardiac sphincter at the top of the stomach into the esophagus. While the lining of the stomach is tough and designed to withstand acid, the esophagus, like most other body tissues, is delicate and responds to the acid by producing a pain signal. Since the lower esophagus sits in a part of the chest fairly near the heart, it can feel as though this pain is coming from the heart itself, hence the common name for the condition. Despite the annoyance and discomfort of heartburn, however, there are several ways to treat the symptoms.
Antacids
Perhaps the simplest and most common solution to mild heartburn is to treat symptoms with an antacid, such as Tums or Mylanta. These over-the-counter drugs contain molecules called bases---the chemical opposites of acids---that react with refluxing stomach acid and neutralize it. Tums, for instance, contains calcium carbonate, which reacts with stomach acid to produce water and the harmless gas carbon dioxide, which is expelled from the stomach by burping. Unfortunately, many individuals find the buildup of stomach gas resulting from calcium carbonate antacids to be somewhat uncomfortable. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that some of the most effective antacids contain a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide, both of which react with stomach acid to produce water and harmless salt compounds. They recommend taking antacids with both hydroxide molecules, since magnesium hydroxide can cause diarrhea when taken alone.
H-2 Receptor Blockers
More powerful options for heartburn relief include medications, some of which are over the counter and others of which are available only by prescription. One class of medications, called the H-2 receptor blockers, prevents the chemical histamine from binding to receptors in the stomach. This prevents the cells of the stomach lining from producing as much acid as they ordinarily would. MayoClinic.com notes that while H-2 receptor blocker medications, like Pepcid and Zantac, don't work as quickly as antacids, their effects last longer.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Perhaps the most sophisticated class of heartburn remedies is the proton pump inhibitors, which prevents the cells of the stomach from pumping the acid they produce out of the cells and into the stomach. There are proton pump inhibitors available over-the-counter, including Prilosec. The benefit of these drugs, notes MayoClinic.com, is that they block acid secretion significantly enough to allow the esophagus to heal, which is particularly important for individuals who have routine heartburn. Regular exposure to acid causes the lining of the esophagus to become sensitive and damaged, which can cause swelling and pain. Proton pump inhibitors not only help prevent new heartburn symptoms from arising, they actually heal damage from old heartburn episodes.
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