The Four Common Types of Antacids and Their Side Effects

There are occasions when a person suffers from an attack of indigestion and quickly reaches for one of those antacids. This instinctive reliance on antacids to relieve such disorder or other similar abdominal discomforts is due mainly to the known effects antacids have on the digestive system.

For reasons that are still not fully understood, the stomach occasionally produces an amount of gastric acid that is more than normal. Working through chemical reaction, antacids neutralize this excess gastric acid secretion to digest food. Acid indigestion, or heartburn, which can be caused by overeating or by having too much caffeine or alcoholic beverages, is a common symptom that antacids can help to alleviate. With their helpful gastric-acid counteracting effect, can we say that it's always wise to take antacids whenever we experience a sour stomach? Are they totally harmless?

Most antacids are both helpful and completely harmless, provided the manufacturer's recommended dosages are closely observed. It isn't wise, however, to take antacids with milk; milk is known to absorb antacids and therefore eliminates their effectiveness. Doctors likewise advise to discontinue using antacids if your symptoms persist for more than a few days to a week. In all probability, what you are experiencing may not anymore be just an ordinary indigestion but a sign of the presence of a more serious disorder, such as ulcer or heart disease.

There are different types of antacids, each of which may affect the user differently. Before using an antacid, you should be aware of the side effects it carries. Those of the four common types of antacids are enumerated here.