The Conditions That Nexium Is Used To Treat

Nexium is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, and erosive esophagitis. Nexium is also used to prevent stomach ulcers in people who take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) regularly.  Plus, this medicine is used to treat pathological hypersecretory conditions, which causes stomach acid to produce excessively like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

GERD and Erosive Esophagitis

GERD is a condition that causes stomach acids and other contents inside the stomach to go into the esophagus. As a result, it causes symptoms like heartburn. One complication of GERD is erosive esophagitis, which is created when the lining of the esophagus becomes damaged from stomach acid. Nexium is effective for treating GERD and symptoms like heartburn, and it can be used to treat erosive esophagitis. Once the esophagus heals, Nexium can be used to prevent the return of the erosive esophagitis.

Preventing Stomach Ulcers

People who take NSAIDS or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are at risk for developing stomach ulcers, which are also known as gastric ulcers. Nexium lowers the chances that people will develop stomach ulcers.

H. Pylori Infections

Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori is a bacterium that is known to cause peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are ulcers inside the stomach or the first part of the intestines. You can take Nexium with amoxicillin and clarithromycin to destroy the H. pylori. If you have peptic ulcer disease or if you have had it within the past 5 years, your doctor may instruct you to take Nexium. Even if you do not have symptoms, treatment will decrease your chances of getting a peptic ulcer.

Pathological Hyersecretory Conditions

There are many conditions that cause the stomach to create too much acid. These conditions include  multiple endocrine adenomas, systemic mastocytosis,  Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and "short-gut" syndrome. Nexium is used to treat these conditions because it lessens the production of stomach acid.

Treating Children with Nexium

Nexium is used to treat GERD in children between the ages of 1 to 17 years old. Children have difficulty swallowing capsules, so Nexium also comes in packets that contain powder. You will have to mix it with water to make a liquid suspension.

Before you take Nexium, you should educate yourself about the medicine and your condition. You should become familiar with how the medicine works, and the possible side effects that may occur as a result of taking Nexium or any other medicines. You should never take street drugs or drink alcohol when you take any medications, because it is very dangerous. In addition, drugs and alcohol may cause the side effects to become worse.