Editing Antacid (section)

==Properties of antacids==
When an excess amount of acid is produced in the [[stomach]], the natural [[Mucous membrane|mucous barrier]] that protects the lining of the stomach can degrade, leading to [[pain]] and [[irritation]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = McColl KE | title = The elegance of the gastric mucosal barrier: designed by nature for nature | journal =   Gut| volume = 61 | issue = 6 | pages = 787–788 | date = October 2011 | doi = 10.1136/gutjnl-2011-301612| pmid = 22147513 }}</ref> There is also potential for the development of [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease|acid reflux]], which can cause pain and damage to the [[esophagus]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Antacids contain [[alkaline]] ions that [[Neutralization (chemistry)|chemically neutralize]] stomach [[gastric acid]], reducing damage to the stomach lining and [[esophagus]], and relieving pain.<ref name="Overviewcookie" /> Some antacids also inhibit [[pepsin]], an [[enzyme]] that can damage the [[esophagus]] in [[Acid Reflux|acid reflux]].<ref name="pmid30252305"/><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bardhan KD, Strugala V, Dettmar PW | title = Reflux revisited: advancing the role of pepsin | journal = International Journal of Otolaryngology | volume = 2012 | pages = 646901 | date = 2012 | pmid = 22242022 | pmc = 3216344 | doi = 10.1155/2012/646901 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

Antacids do not directly inhibit acid [[secretion]], and thus are distinct from acid-reducing drugs like [[H2 antagonist|H<sub>2</sub>-receptor antagonist]]s or [[proton pump inhibitor]]s.<ref name="AHRQ" /> Antacids do not kill the bacterium, ''[[Helicobacter pylori]]'', which causes most [[gastric ulcer|ulcers]].<ref name="AHRQ" />