How Often Is “Frequent”?
Heartburn experts tend to use three categories to describe heartburn frequency: episodic, frequent, and persistent.
Episodic or occasional heartburn refers to infrequent flare-ups that are fairly predictable—for example, after that all-you-can-eat buffet—and can usually be avoided by staying away from certain foods or activities. Episodic heartburn is typically soothed by traditional OTC treatments that usually provide rapid but short-term relief of heartburn symptoms.
Frequent heartburn is characterized by episodes that occur two or more days a week.
Severe or persistent heartburn describes patterns of painful, long-lasting heartburn episodes that may occur on most days, if not all the time. Severe heartburn should be assessed and treated by a medical doctor.
Some heartburn sufferers report that their heartburn cannot be resolved by dietary and lifestyle changes alone. And while their heartburn symptoms can be reduced with antacids, an OTC medication based on a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) can actually help frequent heartburn sufferers block the burn altogether.
PPIs work by shutting down many of the acid pumps in the cells of the stomach, leaving enough acid for normal food digestion. They do not provide immediate relief, but they can block heartburn before it starts and do so for a full 24 hours. Prilosec OTC®, a leading OTC medication indicated specifically for frequent heartburn, provides 24-hour treatment of frequent heartburn with one pill a day when taken as directed for 14 days.
Negative Impacts of Frequent Heartburn
Frequent heartburn negatively impacts your life in many ways. If you suffer from frequent heartburn, you may find yourself:
- Avoiding foods that may trigger heartburn
- Passing on party invitations for fear of experiencing heartburn
- Avoiding exercise, lying down, or bending over for two to three hours after a meal
- Missing out on fun with family and friends due to heartburn discomfort
If any of this sounds familiar, it may be time to give Prilosec OTC a try. Request a trial sample of Prilosec OTC today.
