subject: A Medical Treatment For The Treatment Of Stomach And Intestines [print this page] What's Omeprazole? Omeprazole is a prescription drug used in the treatment of several health conditions relevant to esophagus, stomach, and intestines. It's also available over-the-counter in some countries, for treating symptoms of heart burn. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) which works by inhibiting gastric acid secretion in the stomach.
Omeprazole prevents the cells in the stomach lining to produce an excessive amount acid, the main reason for ulcer formation. So, it helps in healing ulcers and prevents them from forming further. Reduced acid secretion may also be helpful to reduce acid reflux related symptoms like heartburn.
Medical purposes:
Omeprazole is known to treat various medical conditions that are related to the esophagus, intestines and stomach. Omeprazole treats the following problems in adults: 1. GERD Gastro intestinal reflux disease): Omeprazole treats GERD, which is a medical condition where the stomach acid escapes in to the gullet causing pain, heartburn, and inflammation. 2. Ulcers: Omeprazole treats both stomach and duodenal ulcers. 3. Ulcers infected by Helicobacter pylori: To treat this condition, Omeprazole is approved by the doctor together with anti-biotics. 4. Ulcers caused by medications: Long term use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might cause ulcers in an individual. Omeprazole can help prevent ulcer formation when taken with NSAID's. 5. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is triggered by the excess secretion of acid in the stomach due to a growth in the pancreas.
Omeprazole can also be prescribed for kids above 1 year of age and 10 Kilograms weight for treating GERD. The symptoms of GRD in small kids can be poor weight gain, vomiting (being sick), and return of stomach contents in to the mouth (regurgitation).
Omeprazole is used to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori in youngsters above 4 years old.
Conclusion: Omeprazole belongs to the class of drugs often known as Proton pump inhibitors, which works on the stomach lining to block acid secretion, thus minimizing gastric acidity. It is a prescription drug, but also available over-the-counter to treat heartburn symptoms. It helps to treat several health conditions that are related to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines such as ulcers, GERD, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Remember that although Omeprazole is a common acid pain medication, it shouldn't be self-medicated nor taken in dosages based on what you believe is enough. The possibility of an overdose poses a high fatal effect, it is therefore best to talk to your physician as soon as you feel stomach acid pains and discomfort in order for a proper dosage and prescription to be given to you.
