Do you sometimes feel your heart's on fire, just after taking a big meal? No, we are not talking about some emotional repercussions that are often attributed to human heart. We are talking about a very serious medical condition, which, if ignored, can lead to cancer of the food pipe. The burning sensation, that you occasionally get, occurs when certain digestive juices enter your esophagus in a reverse motion. These juices are acidic in content, so you may also get a sour taste in your mouth sometimes. Known as heartburn, the condition is a precursor to a chronic disease called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux.

It is natural for most individuals to get heartburns once in a while, but when you experience it too many times, you may have developed GERD. According to experts, heartburn once a month is mild; once a week is moderate and once every day is acute, requiring immediate medical intervention. So it is advisable not to waste time after the early symptoms of heartburn are apparent. They may include asthmatic symptoms, difficulties in swallowing food, an upset stomach, a bitter taste in the mouth or recurring breathing problems. Thankfully, proactive heartburn relief treatments are now available both online and at registered medical stores in your local neighborhood. Nexium and Prevacid are among the 2 major drugs available on prescription. Both these medicines work in the same manner - they control formation of excess gastric juices. In doing so, they ensure no acidic juices flow back into your food tube. The effectiveness of prescription heartburn medicines has been clinically tested and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. So you are advised not to rely on over-the-counter antacids for acid influx treatment.

Nexium

Manufactured and marketed by AstraZeneca, Nexium has turned out to be a blessing for many people suffering from the symptoms of acid reflux. Fondly called the purple pill, this medicine has esomeprazole as the active ingredient. It is sold in dosages of 10mg, 20mg and 40mg. The smallest dose is reserved only for short-term treatment of acid influx in pediatric patients below 12 years of age. You need to talk to your physician to know more about the doses and usage of the medicine.

Nexium is indicated only for those patients who suffer from severe heartburns twice per week or more. While it is useful for treating the symptoms of acid reflux, it is also recommended to mend damages to the esophagus.

Prevacid

Prevacid is another oral capsule known for its effectiveness in treating the heartburn symptoms. Besides, it also provides relief to erosive esophagitis (EE), a chronic disease of your food tube. This medicine is developed by the scientists at Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. (TPNA). Prevacid works much in the same manner as Nexium does, except it has a different active ingredient called lansoprazole.

The typically recommended dosage of Prevacid is a 15mg pill every day for up to 60 days. You are advised to complete the full course even if you start getting heartburn relief shortly after the medication begins.