Imagine, you have just finished eating a delicious meal, and a burning sensation starts in your chest and goes all the way up to your throat. You also get a sour taste in your mouth, and sometimes the food you have eaten comes up your throat. This is the condition that many of us experience, or what is medically called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or (GERD). We often know antacids as a solution to this. But today we are talking about a slightly different, but very effective, treatment made from seaweed.
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What are these Alginates?
Simply put, alginates are a compound naturally found in brown seaweed. But don't think about going to the beach and eating seaweed when you hear this! Pharmaceutical companies extract the alginate compound from these plants in a very pure and safe way and process it into medicine.
This is a very strange thing that happens. Your stomach contains gastric acid, which helps digest food. In a person with GERD, this acid comes back up, up the throat. That's what we feel like heartburn.
When alginate enters the stomach, it combines with this acid to form a 'raft' that is similar to foam, but stronger, like a gel.
This membrane, being lighter than the rest of the stomach, floats on top of the acid. Like a leaf floating on top of a pond. This forms a protective layer over the top of the stomach, stopping the acid from coming up into your esophagus. So that annoying burning, heartburn, and other things go away.
What are the benefits and risks of using alginates?
Like any medicine, alginates have their benefits as well as some things we need to be aware of. Let's see these clearly in a table.
| Benefits | Risks & Considerations |
|---|---|
| Fast-acting: Provides quick relief, whether taken with a meal or immediately after eating. | Not effective for some: Very rarely, this may not work for some people's symptoms. |
| Safe for most people: Generally safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, even children (but always seek medical advice ). | Side effects: Minor side effects such as bloating, stomach fullness, or constipation may occur. |
| No prescription required: Can be purchased over the counter from pharmacies without a prescription. | Problems with other medications: It can affect the effectiveness of medications you take for other conditions. Therefore, it is important to inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking. |
| Minimal side effects: Serious side effects are very rare. | Some medical conditions: May not be suitable for people with kidney disease. We will talk about that further. |
Who is Alginates not suitable for?
Although alginates are a good solution for controlling GERD symptoms, they are not suitable for everyone. In particular,
- If you have esophageal erosions or ulcers: If your GERD is severe and the lining of your esophagus is damaged, it cannot be treated with alginates alone. Your doctor will likely prescribe stronger medications.
- Barrett's esophagus: This is a more serious condition that can occur due to GERD. Even in such cases, treatment should be done under the close supervision of a doctor.
- If you have kidney disease: This is very important. Some alginates have added sodium. As too much sodium is not good for someone with kidney disease, do not use these without consulting your doctor.
What is the difference between Alginates and the Antacids we all know?
Many people confuse the two. Although both help with heartburn, they work in two different ways.
| Characteristic | Alginates | Antacids (e.g. Digene, Gelusil) |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | It creates a physical barrier (coat) on the stomach acid, preventing the acid from coming up. | Reduces (neutralizes) the acidity of stomach acid. |
| Main objective | Preventing acid reflux. | Relieving heartburn that has already occurred. |
| Compounds | Antacids are often combined with alginates (e.g. Gaviscon). | Contains compounds such as calcium, magnesium, and aluminum. |
Some medicines, for example, the very popular Gaviscon'' in Sri Lanka, contain the properties of both Alginate and Antacid. Therefore, they can reduce the intensity of the acid, build up the mucus, and provide relief from both.
How effective are alginates?
Research has found that alginates are more effective than regular antacids in controlling GERD symptoms.
However, they are not as powerful as the powerful drugs prescribed by doctors, such as (Proton Pump Inhibitors - PPIs) (e.g. Omeprazole) and (Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonists - H2RAs) (e.g. Famotidine), which reduce the production of stomach acid. However, these drugs should only be used long-term on medical advice. Alginates are a great option for short-term, emergency relief.
The most important thing is not to ignore the underlying problem just because you bought a medicine from the pharmacy and took it for a while and the pain subsided. If you have frequent heartburn, it is wise to find out the exact cause.
Therefore, if you experience these symptoms frequently, the best thing to do is to see your family doctor ) , get a thorough examination, and determine the most appropriate treatment for you.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Alginates are a medicine made from seaweed that forms a 'coat'-like barrier over stomach acid, preventing acid from entering the throat.
- These work quickly and provide quick relief from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Antacids reduce the acidity of the acid, but alginates physically prevent the acid from coming up.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, nursing a child, have kidney disease, or are taking other medications, be sure to consult your doctor before using Alginates.
- It is very important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment, rather than temporarily controlling persistent or severe stomach pain with over-the-counter medication.
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