Which type of medicine is commonly used to treat indigestion by neutralising excess stomach acid and relieving acidity and heartburn?

Introduction / Context:
Indigestion is a very common complaint and usually refers to discomfort or a burning sensation in the upper abdomen due to excess stomach acid, reflux, or overeating. Many over the counter medicines are available for different conditions such as pain, infection, allergy, and acidity. This question tests whether you can correctly identify which class of drug is specifically used to relieve indigestion by neutralising excess acid in the stomach.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The condition mentioned is indigestion, often associated with hyperacidity, heartburn, or acid reflux.

• The options include common classes of drugs such as antacid, antiseptic, analgesic, antibiotic, and antihistamine.

• We assume a general understanding that not all medicines are suitable for all conditions.

• The aim is to match the condition of excess gastric acid with the correct therapeutic drug group.

Concept / Approach:
Antacids are medicines specifically designed to neutralise excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach. They usually contain basic substances such as magnesium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, or sodium bicarbonate. By neutralising acid, antacids reduce irritation of the stomach lining and the oesophagus, providing quick relief from indigestion and heartburn. In contrast, antiseptics are used on skin or tissues to kill or inhibit microorganisms, analgesics reduce pain, antibiotics act against bacterial infections, and antihistamines reduce allergic responses. Therefore, the correct approach is to connect indigestion and acidity with antacids.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that indigestion often presents as burning in the chest region, sour burps, or discomfort after meals due to excess gastric acid. Step 2: Remember that antacids are basic or alkaline compounds that react with stomach acid to form salts and water, reducing acidity. Step 3: Understand that this neutralisation helps protect the stomach and oesophageal lining from damage and provides quick symptomatic relief. Step 4: Recognise that antiseptics are used externally on wounds or surfaces to prevent infection, not to treat indigestion. Step 5: Recall that analgesics target pain pathways, antibiotics kill or inhibit bacteria, and antihistamines counteract allergic reactions, none of which directly neutralise gastric acid. Step 6: Therefore, the medicine class that best suits the treatment of indigestion due to acidity is the antacid group.

Verification / Alternative check:
Everyday experience and medicine labels show that popular indigestion remedies such as chewable tablets or suspensions are marketed as antacids. Package descriptions state that they provide relief from acidity and heartburn by neutralising excess stomach acid. Product categories in pharmacies and health websites similarly list antacids under digestive care, confirming that antacids are the correct choice for indigestion related to acid. Other drug groups are listed separately for infections, pain, or allergies, which reinforces that they are not primarily used for this purpose.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Antiseptic: Used to prevent or control infection on skin and wounds, not to reduce stomach acidity.

Analgesic: Intended to relieve pain, such as headache or muscle pain, and does not primarily address excess gastric acid.

Antibiotic: Used to treat bacterial infections, not simple indigestion due to acid overproduction.

Antihistamine: Helps manage allergy symptoms like sneezing and itching, not acid related digestive discomfort.

Common Pitfalls:
People sometimes confuse antiseptics, antibiotics, and antacids because all three names sound similar and start with the prefix anti. Another mistake is to take painkillers or antibiotics unnecessarily for stomach discomfort, which can be harmful or ineffective. To avoid confusion, remember that antacids are the specific group that neutralises acid and is recommended for simple indigestion and heartburn, whereas antibiotics or other drugs should only be used for their appropriate indications.

Final Answer:
The type of medicine used to treat indigestion by neutralising excess stomach acid is an Antacid.