This acid helps to digest food and activate pepsin, the enzyme which breaks down proteins. But at certain times and under certain conditions, this acid causes an uncomfortable burning sensation. It is stated that about ten percent of the population has heartburn every day, while another thirty percent experiences it occasion. Women have been found to be affected by heartburn more than men. The intensity of the pain depends mainly upon the amount of stomach acid reaching the esophagus, how caustic it is, and the length of time it stays there.
Antacids are the main temporary relievers of heartburn treatment.
They can be taken when symptoms begin, or, as a preventive measure, thirty to sixty minutes after a meal. The average citizen has neither the time, patience, nor equipment to perform this type of research. It is for this reason that we picked this topic of antacid effectiveness for our experiment. At a local Walgreens drug store we looked at a number of different antacid remedies ranging from effervescent tablets of Alka Seltzer to liquid remedies such as Maalox to compare ingredients. As defined, simethicone is a combination of dimethicones and silicone dioxide.