Antacids help fight hyperacidity, but they can be addictive. They offer quick, symptomatic relief, but fail to reduce the acid secretion in the stomach. The relief is short lived, leading to multiple dosing. It's also why patients get habituated to pop antacids frequently, at the slightest discomfort. But it needs long term treatment.

Causes ::
Irregular eating missing meals, hasty eating of lumpy foods. Alcoholism. People who are chronically high strung are at risk.

Symptoms ::
Pain, pressure or a burning sensation in the stomach. Abdominal fullness, belching, regurgitation of food. Acid contents come up to the mouth, causing 'heartburn'

Treatment ::
Antacids offer help, though only short term. New drugs that offer stomach acid, prevents heartburn and relieve acidity even as it occurs, Antacids neutralise the acid without reducing the secretion, while the new drug can be had before dinner so that excess acid is not produced in the first place. Consult your doctor for more details.