Overproduction of acid in the stomach causes irritation and pain . In severe cases, ulcers are developed in the stomach. Until 1970 , the only treatment for acidity was the administration of antacids , such as sodium hydrogen carbonate or a mixture of aluminium and magnesium hydroxide. However, excessive hydrogen carbonate can make the stomach alkaline and trigger the production of even more acid . Hence, Statement1 is correct. Metal hydroxides are better alternatives because of being insoluble , these do not increase the pH above neutrality. These treatments control only symptoms, and not the cause. Therefore, with these metal salts, the patients cannot be treated easily. In advanced stages, ulcers become life-threatening and its only treatment is the removal of the affected part of the stomach. A major breakthrough in the treatment of hyperacidity came through the discovery according to which a chemical, histamine, stimulates the secretion of pepsin and hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The drug cimetidine ( Tagamet ), was designed to prevent the interaction of histamine with the receptors present in the stomach wall. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. This resulted in the release of a lesser amount of acid. The importance of the drug was so much that it remained the largest selling drug in the world until another drug, ranitidine (Zantac), was discovered.
