Hydrochloric Acid Indigestion
A buffer is an aqueous solution that allows resistance to significant change in pH when small amounts of strong acids or base are added to it. (Boundless, 2015) This is usually formed when a weak acid is added to a salt of its conjugate base. (Chemicool.com, 2014)
When an Alka Seltzer tablet is dissolved in water, a buffer is formed when the weak acid citric acid is present with sodium citrate (citrate ion) the conjugate base (Buffer Balancing Acts Buffers, 2009)
"Na3C3H5O7 (aq) + 3 HCl (aq) H3C3H5O7 (aq) + 3 NaCl (aq)" (Senese, 2010)
By exchanging the Na+ in sodium hydrogen carbonate with the H+ from the excess hydrochloric acid present in the stomach (Stigliani, B. 2014), the reaction of sodium citrate to hydrochloric acid reforms …show more content…
(Stigliani, B. 2014) By neutralizing excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach and restoring the original pH, it helps alleviate indigestion and heartburn. (Netdoctor, 2009)
An excess of sodium hydrogen carbonate itself, acts as a buffer against the H+ from the hydrochloric acid; acting as an antacid. (Lecturedemos.chem.umass.edu, 2011)
The reaction between citric acid and sodium hydrogen carbonate in Alka Seltzer also forms carbon dioxide, which is responsible for the fizzing when the tablet is mixed in water. (Buffer Balancing Acts Buffers, 2009)
Aspirin (aka acetylsalicylic acid) is used as a "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)," (Medical News Today, 2014) as it has both analgesic (pain relieving) and antipyretic (fever reducing) properties. (Ausetute.com.au, 2014) Aspirin can also function as an antiplatelet drug, which works by suppressing a type of prostaglandin hormone - thromboxane (Rull, 2014), responsible for blood clotting and the contractions of blood vessels. (Yourhormones.info, 2013) Thus, aspirin is often taken chronically in low doses by patients with high risks of having strokes and heart attacks. (Medical News Today,
When an Alka Seltzer tablet is dissolved in water, a buffer is formed when the weak acid citric acid is present with sodium citrate (citrate ion) the conjugate base (Buffer Balancing Acts Buffers, 2009)
"Na3C3H5O7 (aq) + 3 HCl (aq) H3C3H5O7 (aq) + 3 NaCl (aq)" (Senese, 2010)
By exchanging the Na+ in sodium hydrogen carbonate with the H+ from the excess hydrochloric acid present in the stomach (Stigliani, B. 2014), the reaction of sodium citrate to hydrochloric acid reforms …show more content…
(Stigliani, B. 2014) By neutralizing excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach and restoring the original pH, it helps alleviate indigestion and heartburn. (Netdoctor, 2009)
An excess of sodium hydrogen carbonate itself, acts as a buffer against the H+ from the hydrochloric acid; acting as an antacid. (Lecturedemos.chem.umass.edu, 2011)
The reaction between citric acid and sodium hydrogen carbonate in Alka Seltzer also forms carbon dioxide, which is responsible for the fizzing when the tablet is mixed in water. (Buffer Balancing Acts Buffers, 2009)
Aspirin (aka acetylsalicylic acid) is used as a "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)," (Medical News Today, 2014) as it has both analgesic (pain relieving) and antipyretic (fever reducing) properties. (Ausetute.com.au, 2014) Aspirin can also function as an antiplatelet drug, which works by suppressing a type of prostaglandin hormone - thromboxane (Rull, 2014), responsible for blood clotting and the contractions of blood vessels. (Yourhormones.info, 2013) Thus, aspirin is often taken chronically in low doses by patients with high risks of having strokes and heart attacks. (Medical News Today,