Describe how stomach acid secretion can be reduced by proton pump inhibitor drugs to treat heartburn due to “acid reflux”.

The corrosive acid of the stomach can sometimes irritate the esophagus when the circular muscle at the top of the stomach, which stops stomach fluid from doing this, malfunctions. This is called acid reflux and causes heartburn. The proton pump called H+, K+ -ATPase is the proton pump responsible for the acidic environment of the stomach. So to inhibit the protein pump, proton pump inhibitors or PPIs are prescribed. They bind to a single pump, so the effect on the entire acid production system is not permanent; given the pumps are constantly recycled and replaced.