Is dinner getting a little uncomfortable? That painful burn in the back of your throat. It kind of feels like your stomach is on fire. Well, you're not alone. Heartburn is one of the most common problems around. It't not something most people want to have to worry about, but if you eat the wrong thing, there it is. You can't ignore it.

Is there a cure for it? There are treatments available to lessen the pain of this incredibly uncomfortable condition. Severe chronic heartburn may require surgery. Most of the time it's treatable with specific medications and dietary changes.

Are There Any OTC Heartburn Cures?

Not really.

I know that's kind of a blanket statement, but the fact is that all the over the counter medications do is temporarily relieve the symptoms. Now I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Sometimes the pain is unbearable, and there isn't a doctor handy. But to really cure the problem, you will have to find out what the problem actually is. Many of the over the counter ( OTC ) meds work wonders. But if the situation is more than just an occasional bout of indigestion - if it has become long chronic, it's important to find a heartburn cure, not just short lived relief.

There are treatments like Zantac (ranitidine) and Tums. These aren't really treatments for the problem. They only help to control the symptoms. That is of course important also, but the problem remains. Left untreated, heartburn can be a serious condition. Stomach acid can erode the lining of the esophagus and cause ulcers and the need for surgery. Its obvious that at some point we need to get to the root of the problem. Treating symptomatically eases the pain and discomfort, these medications stop short of curing the problem.

These medications are readily available. They provide relief from the pain and discomfort until you see your doctor and get a treatment for the problem that is actually causing the heartburn.

What About Prescription Medication?

When the condition get severe enough that actual physical damage may result, your doctor will probably prescribe medication that is specific to the condition that is causing the heartburn. We can call these heartburn cures because they do in fact treat the underlying cause. Different medications are used to treat different causes. For instance, Nexium is generally used to treat GERD. If the cause is just severe chronic heartburn, Aciphex will most likely be used. Ulcers are treated with numerous medications, but Ranitidine is common.

Heartburn can be cured. And the treatments are many. In addition to the drugs mentioned, herbal and natural remedies and treatments are effective for some people. For a few, it may be as simple as a change in your diet. Many people have gotten relief from eliminating a single item, like coffee. Others require an entire dietary change.

The heartburn treatment and cure is different for everyone. There is no "one size fits all". Your doctor will find the cause, and will then help you decide on an appropriate heartburn cure.