Keep Frequent Heartburn from Coming Back While Taking Prilosec OTC®
Prilosec OTC is clinically proven to fight heartburn for 24 hours. It’s strong enough to do so before heartburn begins because it is a PPI (proton pump inhibitor). With one pill a day for 14 days, you get the protection you need from frequent heartburn,* and while taking Prilosec OTC, heartburn won’t keep coming back.
In a clinical study, the strength of Prilosec OTC was tested against frequent heartburn:
- 78% of consumers were heartburn-free on the first night.
- 81% of consumers had complete relief/only mild symptoms on Day 1.
- 94% of consumers were satisfied with how well Prilosec OTC worked.
See for yourself if Prilosec OTC is the right heartburn protection for you.
Exercise and Heartburn: Techniques to Alleviate Exercise-Induced Heartburn
Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of managing heartburn for many people. The recommended guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine® and the American Heart Association suggest all healthy adults ages 18 to 65 need moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes, five days each week, or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 20 minutes, three days each week.¹
As always, check with your doctor before starting any type of treatment program.
For some people, physical activity can aggravate the symptoms of frequent heartburn. This association between heartburn and exercise has been described in medical literature for nearly 20 years.2 Usually with exercise-induced heartburn, the more intense the exercise, the worse the symptoms.
Quick Tips
The following are basic tips for people concerned about the association between exercise and heartburn:
Do Low-Impact Physical Activity
Running or jogging can increase the chances of acid refluxHEARTBURN GLOSSARY Acid reflux: The backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus; also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).. Try low-impact exercises such as riding a bike or walking, which should produce fewer acid reflux symptoms.
Pursue Aerobic Exercises
If you have noticed that your symptoms get worse with intense exercise, try aerobic activities such as swimming, cycling, and dancing, instead of resistance exercises such as weightlifting.
Go Easy on the Abs
Crunches and sit-ups place added pressure on the abdominal muscles, which can aggravate acid refluxHEARTBURN GLOSSARY Acid reflux: The backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus; also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).. Do these activities in moderation.
Use Gravity
Positions that reverse the natural gravity of digestion, such as headstands, can trigger heartburn. In short, stay upright as much as possible.
Relax with Yoga
Yoga has been shown to help reduce stress, which can aggravate heartburn symptoms. Look for positions that don't place emphasis on abdominal muscles or reverse the natural gravity of digestion.
Dietary
Hydrate
To aid digestion, drink plenty of water before and during your exercise routine.
Dilute Your Sports Drinks
The high concentration of carbohydrates found in most sports drinks may contribute to heartburn. Most sports drinks provide between 60 grams and 100 grams of carbohydrates per liter. Try diluting this in quarter intervals to see if a 3/4 strength or a 1/2 strength solution decreases your heartburn.
Control Quantity
Decrease the size of portions you eat prior to or during exercise. Reflux is more likely to occur when there is a lot of food in the stomach.
Limit Foods That Fan the Flames
Certain foods and beverages are more apt to cause heartburn than others. Moderate your intake of citrus fruits and juices, chocolate, onions, peppermint, spearmint, fatty or spicy foods, and caffeinated or carbonated beverages.
Time Your Meals
Exercising on a full stomach is not advisable, largely because it increases intra-abdominal pressure, which contributes to heartburn. Wait at least two hours after a meal before exercising.
* It’s possible while taking Prilosec OTC. Use as directed for 14 days for treating frequent heartburn.
¹ The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association Physical Activity and Public Health: Updated Recommendation for Adults. Circulation 2007;116;1081-93; originally published online Aug 1, 2007.
² Clark CS, Kraus BB, Sinclair J, Castell DO. Gastroesophageal reflux induced by exercise in healthy volunteers. JAMA 1989;261:3599-01.
³ Collings KL, Pratt P, Rodriguez-Stanley S, Bemben M, Miner PB. Esophageal reflux in conditioned runners, cyclists, and weightlifters. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003;35(5):730-5.
