An antacid is a substance that acts in the body, specifically in the digestive system, to appease the acidic properties of the gastric juices found in the stomach that are present in the individual once they have finished eating some food that makes them these juices are more powerful to be able to carry out the normal digestion process. It is then an inhibitor of the acidity produced by certain stomach juices caused by some food or series of them that takes place by generating a reflux into the esophagus or by the sensitivity of the stomach wall to these juices.
Regarding the composition of this substance, it is generally basic to the alkaline environment so that it can have an effect and couple with those acids produced by the paretal glands of the digestive system, alkalizing the stomach by increasing its pH (taking it from 0, 2 to a value close to 2) and whose acid-base reaction is produced by water and a salt.
Most antacids contain hydrogen (H2) as a component of the active ingredient and among the most common are sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH) 2).
Another function that antacids can fulfill is to promote the mucosal defense systems by stimulating the production of prostaglandins.
They can be classified into two types, systemic and non-systemic. The former are characterized because the salt product of the reaction is absorbed by the stomach walls and its effect is more powerful, on the contrary the non-systemic ones are characterized because the salt product of the reaction is not absorbed by the body and its effect is slower.
Some side effects of the action of antacids in the stomach can be constipation as in the case of aluminum salts or have laxative effects as in the case of magnesium salts.
It is recommended to take it one hour after eating foods that stimulate the production of stomach acids and its abuse can cause severe damage to the digestive system.
