Introduction
Drugs may be categorized through the chemical form of the ingredient which is active or even through the method it is utilized to treat specific conditions. It will as a result be realized that each drug may possibly be categorized into several drug classes. By definition, antacids are actually agents which purely neutralize gastric acid as well as raising the pH of gastric. They are in most cases utilized to treat dyspepsia plus peptic ulcer symptomatic relief. Antacids are in fact a form of medication which can possibly control the levels of acid in stomach. It will be documented that they are in most cases obtainable over the counter basically from pharmacies. Reports disclose that they common utilize calcium, aluminum and magnesium (Moffat, n.p). Mixtures that usually contain sodium ought to be utilized with caution within patients who have to avoid extra sodium intake. Studies extend to reveal that antacids can as a result be classified as those that are manufactured from aluminum, calcium, magnesium and sodium salts.
The basic function of antacids is that they make one having stomach pains feel better through raising the pH balance within the stomach. Ideally, pH system refers to a scale used to measure the alkalinity or acidity of a particular environment which in our case is the stomach and it is generally agreed that it ranges from 0 to 14. When the acidity level in the stomach raises to about 2, then stomach problems may occur but antacids plays their crucial role where it neutralizes the extra acid pushing the pH towards 7 alleviating discomfort and pain. Antacids can also be combined with alginates for utilization within gastro-esophageal reflux disorder. The alginates usually float on the gastric contents, acting as a blockade between lower esophageal sphincter and the stomach acidic contents avoiding lower esophageal sphincter erosion eliminating the pains experienced within gastro-esophageal reflux disorder.
The continued use of antacids which are basically made from aluminum salts extend to include constipation, appetite loss, mental or mood changes, osteoporosis, diarrhea, clay-colored or pale stools, kidney stones, weakness and bone pain (Arcangelo and Andrew, pp. 379). Bicarbonate and carbonate type of antacids, may possibly lead to alkalosis that may cause transformed excretion of the additional drugs as well as kidney stones. Continued use of sodium bicarbonate antacids in particular, lead to frequent vomiting and nausea, urination problems, slow breathing, muscles pain and tiredness. The chemical reaction involving hydrochloric acid and carbonate may perhaps produce carbon dioxide that leads to gastric distension, reduced muscle flexibility and severe headaches. Some of the antacids made from magnesium salts include magnesium hydroxide that contains laxative properties. It is feared that magnesium may actually accrue within the patients having failure in their renal system resulting to hypermagnesemia with neurological and cardiovascular complications. In summary, side effects that may accrue from the continued use of antacids usually vary dependent on the person as well as other form of medications that the person may be using concurrently.
Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions within aqueous solutions, and through metal reaction it produces salt, as well as hydrogen gas. Bases can be defined as substances that release hydroxide ions within aqueous solutions. Acids have a pH that happens to be less than seven and also turns litmus red while bases on the other hand have a pH greater than seven and usually turn the litmus paper to blue. It will be realized that acids actually act as proton donors while bases, on the other hand, act as proton acceptors. Literally acids are believed to have a sour taste and bases have a bitter taste. From definition isotopes refers to atoms of similar element but having different neutrons for instance carbon-14 and carbon- 12.
Economically, acids can be used in the manufacture of fertilizers, detergents and manufacturing soft drinks. Bases, on the other hand, can be used in preparing fertilizers such as nitrate and ammonium salts and also in the manufacture of soaps as well as cement. This implies that if industries rely on the above uses of acids and bases they lead to sources of income to the country since they necessitate trade. From a political point of view acids can be used in the manufacture of explosives which can act as weaponry during war thereby strengthening its external defense (Joesten and Mary, pp. 186). This is through the utilization of nitric acid to manufacture explosives. It will further be documented that both acids and bases have an environmental impact since they help in enhancing plant growth and productivity as well as improving the nature of the soils through the manufacture of fertilizers and lime. Culturally some of the acids such as benzoic acid have been used in preservation foods. It is very ethical to use hydrochloric acid in the maintenance of swimming pools to prevent the spread of skin disease among other disorders.
Works Cited
Arcangelo, Virginia Poole, and Andrew M. Peterson. Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: a practical approach. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006. Print.
Joesten, Melvin D., and Mary E. Castellion. The world of chemistry: essentials. 4th ed., international student ed. Belmont: Thomson, 2007. Print.
Moffat, Denice . Antacid Side Effects | antacids. Natural Health Techniques., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://naturalhealthtechniques.com/specificdiseasesantacids_problems_associated.htm>.
