NEXIUM relieves the heartburn pain, a common symptom of acid reflux disease (gastroespohageal reflux disease). Heartburn feels like a pain in the center of the chest. It is caused by acid from the stomach. To understand what NEXIUM does, The lining of your stomach contains millions of cells producing acid via acid pumps. When that acid backs up into your esophagus you experience a burning pain (heartburn). To reduce heartburn symptoms like this, NEXIUM turns off those acid pumps. For many people, one NEXIUM pill a day provides complete 24-hour relief from persistent heartburn.
Prolonged acid reflux often happens when the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes more often than it should. This allows harsh stomach juices to back up into the esophagus and can erode the lining of your esophagus. NEXIUM heals this damage.