Antacids – NHS

Antacids are medicines that counteract (neutralise) the acid in your stomach to relieve indigestion and heartburn.

They come as a liquid or chewable tablets and can be bought from pharmacies and shops without a prescription.

When antacids are used

Antacids may help if you have:

They can quickly relieve your symptoms for a few hours. But they do not treat the underlying cause and long-term use is not recommended.

Speak to a GP if you find you need to take antacids regularly.

Common types of antacids

Many different types of antacid are available. Some are sold under a brand name and others are named after their main ingredient. Brands include Gaviscon (alginic acid) and Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate).

Ingredients to look for include:

• aluminium hydroxide
• magnesium carbonate
• magnesium trisilicate
• magnesium hydroxide
• calcium carbonate
• sodium bicarbonate

Some antacids also contain other medicines, such as an alginate (which coats your gullet with a protective layer) and simeticone (which reduces flatulence).

How and when to take antacids

Check the instructions on the packet or leaflet to see how much antacid to take and how often. This depends on the exact medicine you’re taking.

Antacids should be used when you have symptoms or think you will get them soon – for most people, the best time to take them is with or soon after meals, and just before going to bed.

Remember that doses for children may be lower than for adults.

Contact a GP or pharmacist, or call NHS 111, if you take too much of the medicine and start to feel unwell.

Taking antacids with food, alcohol and other medicines

It’s best to take antacids with food or soon after eating because this is when you’re most likely to get indigestion or heartburn.

The effect of the medicine may also last longer if taken with food.

Antacids can affect how well other medicines work, so do not take other medicines within 2 to 4 hours of taking an antacid.

You can drink alcohol while taking antacids, but alcohol can irritate your stomach and make your symptoms worse.

Side effects of antacids

Antacids do not usually have many side effects if they’re only taken occasionally and at the recommended dose.

But sometimes they can cause:

These should pass once you stop taking the medicine.

Speak to a pharmacist or a GP if side effects do not improve or are troublesome. You may need to switch to another medicine.

Who may not be able to take antacids

Antacids are safe for most people to take, but they’re not suitable for everyone.

Speak to a pharmacist or a GP for advice first if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding – most antacids are considered safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding, but always get advice first
• are looking for a medicine for a child under 12 years of age – some antacids are not recommended for children
• have liver disease, kidney disease or heart failure – some antacids may not be safe if you have one of these problems
• have an illness that means you need to control how much salt (sodium) is in your diet, such as high blood pressure or cirrhosis – some antacids contain high levels of sodium, which could make you unwell
• are taking other medicines – antacids can interfere with other medicines and may need be avoided or taken at a different time

Page last reviewed: 13 November 2019
Next review due: 13 November 2022

Omeprazole: MedlinePlus Drug Information

Prescription omeprazole comes as a delayed-release (releases the medication in the intestine to prevent break-down of the medication by stomach acids) capsule, and packets of delayed-release (releases the medication in the intestine to prevent break-down of the medication by stomach acids) granules for suspension (to be mixed with liquid) to take by mouth or give through a feeding tube. Nonprescription (over-the-counter) omeprazole comes as a delayed-release tablet to take by mouth. Prescription omeprazole should be taken at least 1 hour before a meal. Prescription omeprazoleis usually taken once a day before a meal but may be taken twice a day when used with other medications to eliminate H. pylori, or up to three times a day, before meals when used to treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid. The nonprescription delayed-release tablets are usually taken once a day in the morning at least 1 hour before eating for 14 days in a row. If needed, additional 14-day treatments may be repeated, not more often than once every 4 months. To help you remember to take omeprazole, take it at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label or the package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take omeprazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often or for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor or stated on the package.

If you are taking the delayed-release tablets, swallow them whole with a full glass of water. Do not split, chew, or crush them or crush and mix them into food.

Swallow the delayed-release capsules whole. If you have difficulty swallowing the delayed-release capsules, place one tablespoon of soft, cool applesauce in an empty bowl. Open the delayed-release capsule and carefully empty all the granules inside the capsule onto the applesauce. Mix the granules with the applesauce and swallow the mixture immediately with a glass of cool water. Do not chew or crush the granules. Do not store the applesauce/granule mixture for future use.

If you are taking the granules for oral suspension, you will need to mix it with water before use. If you are using the 2.5-mg packet, place 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) of water in a container. If you are using the 10-mg packet, place 1 tablespoonful (15 mL) of water in a container. Add the contents of the powder packet and stir. Wait 2 to 3 minutes to allow the mixture to thicken, and stir the mixture again. Drink the entire mixture within 30 minutes. If any of the mixture is stuck to the container, pour more water into the container, stir and drink all the mixture immediately.

The granules for oral suspension can be given through a feeding tube. If you have a feeding tube, ask your doctor how you should take the medication. Follow the directions carefully.

Do not take nonprescription omeprazole for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms. It may take 1 to 4 days for you to feel the full benefit of the medication. Call your doctor if your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 14 days or if your symptoms return sooner than 4 months after you finish your treatment. Do not take nonprescription omeprazole for longer than 14 days or treat yourself with omeprazole more often than once every 4 months without talking to your doctor.

Continue to take prescription omeprazole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking prescription omeprazole without talking to your doctor. If your condition does not improve or gets worse, call your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Treatment

There are four approaches for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment, including medication and surgery. Often, patients respond well to a combination of lifestyle changes and a medication regimen.

Some patients do not find satisfactory relief from those methods and require surgical intervention. Other patients may choose surgery as an alternative to a lifetime of taking medication.

Treatment Approaches for GERD 

• Lifestyle and dietary changes
• Medication
• Endoscopic therapy
• Surgery

GERD Treatment: Lifestyle and Dietary Changes

Dietary and lifestyle changes are the first step in treating GERD. Certain foods make the reflux worse. Suggestions to help alleviate symptoms include:

• Lose weight if you are overweight — of all of the lifestyle changes you can make, this one is the most effective.
• Avoid foods that increase the level of acid in your stomach, including caffeinated beverages.
• Avoid foods that decrease the pressure in the lower esophagus, such as fatty foods, alcohol and peppermint.
• Avoid foods that affect peristalsis (the muscle movements in your digestive tract), such as coffee, alcohol and acidic liquids.
• Avoid foods that slow gastric emptying, including fatty foods.
• Avoid large meals.
• Quit smoking.
• Do not lie down immediately after a meal.
• Elevate the level of your head when you lie down.

GERD Treatment: Medication

If lifestyle and dietary changes do not work, your doctor may prescribe certain medications. There are two categories of medicines for reflux. One decreases the level of acid in your stomach, and one increases the level of motility (movement) in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Antacids

Over-the-counter antacids are best for intermittent and relatively infrequent symptoms of reflux. When taken frequently, antacids may worsen the problem. They leave the stomach quickly, and your stomach actually increases acid production as a result.

Histamine blockers

Histamine 2 (h3) blockers are drugs that help lower acid secretion. h3 blockers heal esophageal erosions in about 50 percent of patients.

Proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are drugs that block the three major pathways for acid production. PPIs suppress acid production much more effectively than h3 blockers. PPIs heal erosive esophagitis in many patients, even those with severe esophageal damage.

Prokinetic agents

Prokinetic agents are drugs that enhance the activity of the smooth muscle of your gastrointestinal tract. These drugs are somewhat less effective than PPIs. Your doctor may prescribe them in combination with an acid-suppressing drug.

TIF and Other Endoscopic Therapy

Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) is an option to address GERD. TIF can mean a shorter treatment time, less pain and faster recovery compared to laparoscopic surgery. The procedure involves using a special TIF device to create a passageway for a flexible, tube-like imaging instrument called an endoscope. The procedure allows the physician to use preloaded tweezers and fasteners to repair or recreate the valve that serves as a natural barrier to reflux.

Currently, there are clinical trials testing the efficacy of endoscopic therapy for GERD. One form of therapy uses an endoscopic sewing machine to place sutures in the stomach and increase the anti-reflux barrier.

Surgery for GERD

If your symptoms did not improve with lifestyle changes or drug therapy, you may be a candidate for surgery. Some patients prefer a surgical approach as an alternative to a lifetime of taking medications. The goal of surgery for reflux disease is to strengthen the anti-reflux barrier.

During a procedure known as a Nissen fundoplication, your surgeon wraps the upper part of your stomach around the lower esophagus. This enhances the anti-reflux barrier and can provide permanent relief from reflux. Your surgeon may perform this surgery laparoscopically, which means a less invasive procedure with a shorter recovery time.

Extra-esophageal Manifestations

Reflux may affect more than just the esophagus. Reflux can lead to inflammation of the pharynx (part of the throat right behind the mouth) and larynx (voice box). It may also cause bronchitis, asthma or pneumonia. If there are no obvious causes for the inflammation, your doctor may suspect reflux. The goal of treatment is to improve the symptoms through medication.

Natural and Over-the-Counter Heartburn Treatments

Do They Work?

Heartburn is a common problem that affects many Canadians at one time or another. It is that familiar burning sensation behind the breastbone resulting from acidic stomach contents rising into the esophagus (acid reflux). Occasional heartburn might result after a large holiday meal, or a night out drinking alcohol and eating greasy food, or perhaps from not having eaten recently enough. However, when heartburn becomes frequent and chronic, it is likely a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

It might be difficult to figure out what to do when heartburn strikes. With such a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, miscellaneous herbal or other natural remedies, and prescription medications available, choosing the right treatment can be an adventure.

GERD vs Heartburn

The first step in finding the right treatment involves understanding the differences between heartburn and GERD. GERD is a chronic condition defined by an improperly functioning sphincter between the esophagus and stomach (lower esophageal sphincter), which causes stomach contents to regularly push up into the esophagus. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD, but other symptoms include persistent sore throat, hoarseness, chronic coughing, frequent throat clearing, difficult or painful swallowing, asthma, unexplained chest pain, bad breath, erosion of enamel on teeth, a feeling of a lump in the throat, and an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after meals. Untreated and persistent GERD can also lead to more harmful diseases such as esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer.

If you experience these symptoms of GERD, please consult your physician, because the treatment for this disease is more complex than the treatment for occasional heartburn and will likely involve prescription medicines. If you only experience heartburn infrequently, usually after specific triggers, and you don’t experience the other symptoms of GERD, it is likely that you are just experiencing bouts of heartburn. However, please consult your physician if you have any questions or concerns.

Prescription Medications

These are for treating GERD, not occasional heartburn, and include two types of medications that supress acid production. Histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H₂RAs) work by blocking the effect of histamine, which stimulates certain cells in the stomach to produce acid, and include cimetidine (Tagamet®), ranitidine (Zantac®), famotidine (Pepcid®), and nizatidine (Axid®). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) work by blocking an enzyme necessary for acid secretion and include omeprazole (Losec®) lansoprazole (Prevacid®), pantoprazole sodium (Pantoloc®), esomeprazole (Nexium®), rabeprazole (Pariet®), pantoprazole magnesium (Tecta®), and dual delayed release dexlansoprazole (Dexilant®).

Over-the-Counter Treatments

Most of those who have experienced heartburn are familiar with OTC medicines. They offer quick relief for occasional heartburn, and are available at any drug store or grocery chain. These can also be helpful for those who have GERD, for those times when they notice that their ongoing treatment is temporarily not enough. Medications such as Maalox®, Tums®, and Pepto-Bismol® neutralize acid, and another product, Gaviscon®, neutralizes stomach acid and forms a barrier to block acid rising into the esophagus.^1,2 Some small dose H₂RAs are also available OTC. Generally, you shouldn’t use these products for longer than two weeks and, if you feel like you need to, then it can be a sign that you might have GERD or that your prescription GERD medication isn’t working well enough.

Natural Remedies

Most of the medications used to treat heartburn, both prescription and OTC, have gone through rigorous testing and studies to establish safe and effective use, but what about natural remedies? You’ve likely seen long lists of natural heartburn cures, or maybe had friends or family members who swear by baking soda or apple cider vinegar to relieve their heartburn, but what does the evidence say about these methods?

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda): baking soda is alkaline, and is generally safe to consume, which makes it a good candidate for neutralizing acidity. It makes sense that people reach for this common household item to treat heartburn. While some evidence does show that it is safe for occasional use, overdoing it can lead to a medical state known as alkalosis which can cause cardiovascular disturbances and is potentially dangerous.³ Baking soda is also very high in sodium, and can prevent the absorption of certain medicines. Use in moderation.

Acids: this is an odd remedy, and typically involves consuming either apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to quell heartburn. The logic behind it is that not all heartburn is caused by an increase in acid, which would make the treatments that neutralize acid pointless. According to proponents of this method, heartburn can be a result of an improperly functioning stomach that allows contents to backflow into the esophagus because it isn’t acidic enough. Therefore, consuming acids helps to restore the normal acidity level in your stomach and aids digestion. However, there isn’t much evidence that this is actually effective, and in some cases, adding extra acid to your stomach might make symptoms worse. Physicians generally do not recommend this method. This theory might stem from the fact that some individuals experience heartburn or GERD as a result of delayed gastric emptying. But there isn’t any good evidence that vinegar will speed up gastric emptying, so you are better off using a medication made for that purpose. Don’t use for heartburn.

Milk: using milk to ease heartburn seems like a good idea intuitively. Milk is alkaline, and it can feel soothing to drink. And while it is true that initially milk can ease your discomfort, the fat and protein it contains can lead to worse heartburn once digestion begins. Lower fat milk might be easier to tolerate during bouts of heartburn. Try a calcium-based OTC treatment (such as Tums® or Maalox®), which have the benefits of the calcium in milk without the drawbacks. Don’t use for heartburn.

Chewing gum: chewing any type of gum could be a simple way to ease mild heartburn. Our saliva is slightly alkaline due to the presence of various enzymes. Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which can help reduce reflux when you swallow. In addition, the very act of swallowing might help to push stomach contents back into the stomach. This method is generally harmless, as long as you avoid consuming large quantities of artificially sweetened gum, which can cause diarrhea in some individuals. ⁴ Chewing gum might also increase your ingestion of air, increasing flatulence. Use in moderation.

Gingerroot: ginger has many benefits when it comes to stomach aches and nausea, and it might also help reduce acid reflux. While many peoples have been using ginger as a treatment for all varieties of stomach ailments for a very long time, it isn’t quite clear how it helps ease heartburn. One study found that it might actually reduce acid production in the stomach, but there isn’t enough research.⁵ Use in moderation.

Iberogast®: containing nine herbal extracts, Iberogast® is a prokinetic medication proven to help ease heartburn, along with several other digestive ailments and disorders, including GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, nausea, constipation, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea. The herbs included are iberis amara, angelica, chamomile, caraway, St. Mary’s thistle, balm, peppermint, celandine, and liquorice. Generally, peppermint can actually worsen heartburn, but the combination of herbs in this product is still often effective in those with heartburn. Use in moderation.

Treatments for GERD and Heartburn

Conclusion

In addition to these treatments, there are some lifestyle and dietary changes you can make to lessen heartburn or GERD symptoms. Avoiding dietary triggers, eating several small meals instead of fewer large ones, losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding lying down for a few hours after eating can all help reduce acid reflux. Elevating the head of your mattress six to eight inches when you sleep can help prevent night time heartburn. As always, speak with your physician before making any long-term changes to your medicine regimen.

First published in the

Inside Tract® newsletter issue 199 – 2016

Image Credit: © bigstockphoto.com/refat

1. McRorie JW Jr

et al. Evidence-based treatment of frequent heartburn: the benefits and limitations of over-the-counter medications. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 2014;26(6):330-9.
2. Strugala V et al. A Randomized, controlled, crossover trial to investigate times to onset of the perception of soothing and cooling by over-the-counter heartburn treatments. The Journal of Internal Medical Research. 2010 Mar-Apr;38(2):449-57.
3. Al-Abri SA et al. Baking soda can settle the stomach but upset the heart: case files of the Medical Toxicology Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Journal of Medical Toxicology. 2013;9(3):255-8.
4. Moazzez R et al. The effect of chewing sugar-free gum on gastro-esophageal reflux. Journal of Dental Research. 2005;84(11):1062-5.
5. Siddaraju MN et al. Inhibition of gastric H+, K+-ATPase and Helicobacter pylori growth by phenolic antioxidants of Zingiber officinale. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2007;51(3):324-32.

Acid Reflux: How To Know When You Need More Than Medicine

Do you take over-the-counter medicine for heartburn? If you’re taking antacids or h3 blockers more than once a week to ease your pain, there may be a better, long-term solution for your symptoms.

Heartburn, or acid indigestion, is a symptom of acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, irritating the tissues. Heartburn gets its name from where you feel the burning sensation caused by the stomach acid – just behind the heart, where the esophagus lies.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic, more severe form of acid reflux. This serious condition can also lead to precancerous changes in the lining of the esophagus.

OTC Medicines for Heartburn

If your heartburn is infrequent or moderate, over-the-counter medicines, which include antacids such as Tums and Alka-Seltzer, h3 blockers such as Zantac and Pepcid, or proton pump inhibitors such as Prevacid and Nexium, are effective, says gastroenterologist John Dumot, DO, Director of the Digestive Health Institute at University Hospitals.

Antacids work by neutralizing the acid in your stomach, while h3 blockers and proton pump inhibitors work by suppressing stomach acid production.

“Over-the-counter medicines can work quickly and are safe for intermittent problems, along with lifestyle changes such as eating smaller meals, avoiding late-night eating or lying down after eating,” Dr. Dumot says.

The Role of Stomach Acid

But over-the-counter medicines that get rid of stomach acid are not a long-term solution to constant heartburn, Dr. Dumot says.

You may be making the symptoms go away with medicine, but not addressing an underlying problem.

“Gastric acid is part of our natural makeup — just not in the esophagus,” he says. “The acid helps you to digest the food and protects you against infection. When you suppress acid, you can be affecting your health by affecting the digestive process.”

When Is It Time to Talk to Your Doctor?

If you experience heartburn or regurgitation more than once a week, it’s time to talk with your doctor, Dr. Dumot says.

“People should be evaluated if they have chronic acid reflux to make sure their medical treatments are adequate, safe and correct and to determine if they have had damage to the esophagus,” Dr. Dumot says.

If medications don’t provide relief, further treatment options might include procedures intended to repair or replace the valve that connects the stomach and esophagus, which is often the culprit for acid reflux.

 They include:

Try to Lose Weight

One way that people who have acid reflux can help themselves is by losing weight, Dr. Dumot says.

Obesity is one of the major drivers of acid reflux because excess abdominal fat causes several structural and functional changes around the valve that closes off the esophagus from the stomach.

“Weight loss is really the most effective way to lose acid reflux,” he says.

Related Links

University Hospitals’ experienced team of specialists offer innovative diagnostics for all stages of GERD. While gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms can mimic other diseases, our digestive specialists make sure each patient’s medical plan is complete and accurate for their specific diagnosis. Learn more about treatment for GERD and heartburn at University Hospitals.

Finding the Right Drug to Control…

Nearly all of us have had the familiar but unpleasant pain of heartburn after a meal. When extra stomach acid backs up into your esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter (a condition known as acid reflux), the discomfort can be intense. If this happens to you only on rare occasions, it may be due to something you ate. For some of us, though, the grinding pain of acid reflux is an everyday occurrence. If you find yourself in that unlucky group, what kinds of drugs are safe and effective enough to find lasting relief?

What Helps Acid Reflux Go Away?

Part of knowing which drug is right for you hinges on understanding what is causing your heartburn. Indigestion and acid reflux can be caused by food that disagreed with you, lifestyle factors and stress, or larger gastrointestinal issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD). 

Depending on the cause and severity of your symptoms, several different medications may bring relief. For most people, diet and lifestyle changes, such as not eating late at night and avoiding certain foods, can also help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.

What is the Best Medicine for Acid Reflux?

Finding the best drug to help fight acid reflux depends on when you need relief. If you are looking for immediate relief from the symptoms of sudden heartburn, taking over-the-counter antacids like Tums or Alka-Seltzer may be your best bet. For bouts of recurring acid reflux that happen a few days a week, h3 blockers like Pepcid AC can be the answer, though it is not recommended that you take these drugs for more than a couple weeks. 

To solve longer episodes of recurring heartburn, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are usually recommended. This last class of drugs, including brand names such as Nexium and Prilosec, is typically the most effective for frequent, ongoing heartburn. As with h3 blockers, though, there is a limit to how long you should regularly take PPIs. 

To decide which of these three classes of drugs will be the best fit for you, it helps to know more about how they work and when they should be taken to provide the best results. Since many of the most effective drugs are prescription medications, consulting with your healthcare provider is a must if you are trying to solve long-term heartburn. Even though lifestyle and dietary factors can contribute to your ongoing condition, you may be referred to a gastroenterologist if your doctor thinks there could be deeper, underlying issues causing your indigestion. 

Drugs for Immediate Heartburn Relief

If acid reflux strikes suddenly, your greatest concern is likely to be getting fast relief. For these situations, over-the-counter (OTC) antacids are going to be the drug of choice. Though these medications do not provide long-lasting freedom from the symptoms of acid reflux or GERD, they can bring quick relief by neutralizing acid when symptoms strike suddenly. 

Common antacids typically use aluminum hydroxide gel, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium carbonate to help reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. Brand names for these products include the following:

• Alka-Seltzer
• Gelusil
• Maalox
• Mylanta
• Pepto-Bismol
• Rolaids
• Tums

Like all medications, antacids do have potential side-effects. These include diarrhea and constipation, and are more likely if you are taking antacids more frequently or for a longer period of time than is recommended. Another potential issue with prolonged antacid use is that extra calcium can build up in the body, which can lead to the formation of kidney stones. As tempting as it may be to try to control persistent heartburn with OTC antacids, if your symptoms continue for more than a couple of weeks, you will need to find more effective drugs. 

Drugs for Short-Term Relief from Heartburn

If you experience frequent heartburn, moving from antacids to h3 blockers can help you by heading off a bout of acid reflux before it starts. h3 blockers work by preventing your histamine levels from stimulating stomach acid production. These medications use active ingredients such as famotidine or cimetidine, and typically take an hour or more to become effective. h3 blockers have the benefit of lasting for as much as 8-12 hours after you take them. 

The side effects of h3 blockers are usually mild, but the list is longer than what you find for antacids. Side-effects can include:

• diarrhea
• constipation
• fatigue
• drowsiness
• headache
• muscle aches
• abdominal pain

One of the drawbacks of h3 blockers is they are not designed for long-term use. Over time, your stomach can adjust to the presence of these medications, making them less effective for you over time. In some cases, your doctor may recommend taking h3 blockers for up to six weeks, but you should only take these drugs for this long if you have been specifically told to by your doctor. 

Drugs for Long-Term Heartburn Relief

If you frequently experience acid reflux, or have been diagnosed with GERD, taking h3 blockers will not likely provide the long-term relief you need from symptoms of heartburn. Proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec (omeprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole), and Prevacid (lansoprazole) are usually the last line of defense in acid reducers. These prescription medications can be taken for longer periods than h3 blockers, though they still have potentially negative effects on your health if taken for too long. 

This category contains one of the more prominent drugs to be pulled from the market in recent years. Zantac, which had previously been widely prescribed, was found to be a potential carcinogen. Though the Food and Drug Administration has pulled this drug from the market, long-term use of other PPIs can still have a wide range of potential negative effects. Studies have linked the use of PPIs to diseases and conditions including increased risk of dementia, vitamin deficiencies, higher risk of C. difficile infections, risk of bone fractures, and more. 

Aside from potentially serious consequences of long-term use of PPIs, proton pump inhibitors can also cause side effects similar to those resulting from h3 blockers. Nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain, and headaches are all listed as potential side effects. 

Talk to Your Doctor About Acid Reducing Drugs

The bottom line in picking medicine for persistent heartburn is that no class of drugs should be taken regularly for long periods of time. If your heartburn has persisted past a couple of weeks, and if it is more frequent than two days a week, you should consult with your doctor to get a better idea of what might be going on and what you can do to treat it. 

It is especially important to talk to your healthcare provider if you were taking Zantac. This ranitidine-based drug has been pulled from the market by the FDA over the presence of potential cancer-causing agents. If you had been relying on Zantac and now need to search for a new drug to help control your heartburn, seeking medical advice from a qualified gastroenterologist is strongly recommended.

Though it could be tempting to keep taking antacids or other over-the-counter drugs just to manage your symptoms, this is not a good long-term strategy. GERD and other conditions like it can be the result of serious issues in your gastrointestinal tract, and finding the right diagnosis can be crucial. Not only could identifying proper diagnosis and treatment bring lasting relief, but it might save you from more serious issues such as cancer. 

If you have been managing the symptoms of acid reflux without finding lasting relief, it is time to talk to your doctor. At Cary Gastroenterology, we can help you find the cause of your discomfort and work with you to navigate the various treatment options that may be available. Request an appointment today if you are ready to start looking for a lasting solution to your heartburn. 

Heartburn Drugs: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?

At some time or another, we’ve all been there. Whether one too many coffees, grandma’s homemade marinara sauce or a really indulgent holiday meal, now you’re reaching for some heartburn relief.

If you are like millions of Americans who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a digestive disorder, or other reflux disorders, you may reach for “the purple pill” or other similar proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to relieve that burning pain in your lower chest.

But recent studies have raised some questions about the serious and even life-threatening side effects of these drugs. Are PPIs more harmful than helpful when it comes to treating GERD?

The good news is that in most occasional cases of heartburn, you probably won’t need these medications. But if it becomes a recurring problem and diet and over-the-counter antacids, such as Rolaids and Tums, aren’t doing the trick, what should you take?

“Short-term medication is definitely helpful when it comes to symptom relief, but usually this relief is temporary, and the symptoms usually return after stopping the medication,” said Khoi Dinh Le, MD, a general and robotics surgeon at Banner Health Clinic in Greeley, CO. “The general research consensus is that GERD is more prominent in those who are obese. However, dietary and lifestyle modifications, with the aim of losing weight in a healthy and long-lasting manner, can minimize or even eliminate reflux and heartburn.”

GERD is more prominent for obese people, because they have less space within their abdominal cavity. So anywhere or any direction pressure can be released is what the body will tend to do. This can manifest in the form of belly button or groin hernias, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, hiatal hernias, and heartburn.”

If you’ve exhausted all short-term measures and weight loss but are still experiencing GERD, Dr. Le explains the pros and cons of taking PPIs long-term.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

PPIs work by blocking and decreasing the production of stomach acid and giving a chance for damaged tissue in your esophagus time to heal. They are found over-the-counter or by prescription. Generally, PPIs are intended for short-term use (4-8 weeks) to help control heartburn and ulcers.

The pros of PPIs

If you overproduce acid, you are at a higher risk of developing peptic ulcers, where the acid overcomes the protective mechanisms of the stomach, leading to erosion and subsequently ulcers. Ulcers, if left untreated, can actually lead to perforation, causing you to become sick or septic—a surgical emergency, should this happen.

Short-term use of proton pump inhibitors is helpful in healing ulcers, when used in conjunction with certain antibiotics and other medications.

“For GERD and heartburn, PPIs can be helpful with treating symptoms when they become particularly inhibiting or bothersome,” Dr. Le said. “They can also help your doctor or surgeon determine if certain types of surgeries or procedures will help eliminate GERD. If, after 6-8 weeks of therapeutic PPI treatment, your symptoms return, you might be a candidate for surgery.”

Other medications, such as H-2 blockers (Zantac, generic: ranitidine), block an alternative pathway of acid production. However, as recently as March 2020, the Food and Drug Administration has requested the immediate removal of Zantac from the market due to risk of cancer with long term use of this drug.

The cons of PPIs

While PPIs are generally well tolerated by people, everyone can respond differently, and there are some not so pleasant side effects that are common in response to them. These include headache, nausea, fever, diarrhea or constipation and vomiting.

Fractures

Long-term, PPIs are associated with a greater risk of infections, certain conditions and vitamin deficiencies. One is an increased risk of bone fractures in the wrist, hip or spine.

“This is because long-term use can cause your body to absorb a lower amount of important nutrients, like vitamin B12, iron, calcium and magnesium,” Dr. Le said. “Although in many cases, a supplement can help correct nutrient deficiencies.”

Medication Interactions

Some PPIs can interact with common prescription drugs, such as blood thinners. If you take any over-the-counter or prescription PPIs, make sure you talk to your doctor about whether it’s safe to take both together.

“In general, the stomach wants to maintain a specific pH or acidity level,” Dr. Le said. “Absorption of many medications, nutrients, vitamins and minerals, begins with digestion in the stomach. Changing the pH level within the stomach can cause problems with absorption of these nutrients. Some of these problems can be unpredictable and can make certain medications more or less effective.”

Infection Risk

New evidence has emerged that PPIs have been associated with a greater risk of infections such as pneumonia and C-diff diarrhea.

“Many adults diagnosed with adult onset asthma often have GERD or heartburn that can be easily overlooked as a reason,” Dr. Le said. “This is because chronic reflux can lead to aspiration, where small amounts of acid and other stomach contents are accidentally inhaled into the lungs, causing chronic scarring and asthma-like symptoms. If the acid level of the stomach is reduced by medication to help with symptoms of heartburn, the natural bacteria-killing effect of this acid is reduced. This allows for bacteria to grow within the stomach and then become inhaled into the lungs during episodes of reflux, leading to infection of the lungs, better known as pneumonia.”

C. difficile is a naturally occurring bacteria typically residing in your colon. There is a delicate balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria (C. diff is a bad kind of bacteria generally).  When in balance, your GI tract functions normally. But if for some reason this balance is shifted or tipped in the wrong direction, “bad” bacteria can overgrow causing an infection.

“There is some evidence that chronic use of PPIs can lead to C. diff diarrhea by a similar mechanism as pneumonia,” Dr. Le said. “The acid in the stomach is reduced, allowing overgrowth of certain bacteria, or not neutralizing any bacteria ingested with meals, which can travel through the gut and disrupt the delicate bacterial balance in the colon, leading to infection.”

Should I Still Consider a PPI?

Research still needs to be done to see if PPIs are the cause of these conditions, but anyone taking them should be aware of the potential risks and discuss the pros and cons with their doctor.

When starting a PPI, Dr. Le recommends starting at the lowest dose and not abruptly stopping if you’ve been taking a PPI for quite some time.

Big Takeaway

If GERD is left untreated, it can result in some serious issues, such as ulcers, scarring, problems swallowing and even cancer. While there are some long-term risks associated with them, PPIs are still an important tool for preventing discomfort and further complications.

“Now that PPIs have been out for decades, we’re starting to see more and more patients develop problems from taking them long-term,” Dr. Le said. “Permanently taking medication may not be the right answer for everyone, and other options such as surgery or endoscopic treatments are available. Talk to your doctor to weigh the pros and cons.”

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90,000 Upset stomach: medicines used in the treatment

An upset stomach is a simple desire of the human body to neutralize all kinds of toxic substances, products of decay, decay, fermentation.

General

All cases of indigestion are usually divided into organic and functional. In the first case, the symptoms are due to the cause, which can be identified during the examination. The circumstances of functional disorders (and about a third of the adult population suffer from them) remain “unidentified” and are most often associated with an improper lifestyle, overeating and other factors.

Causes of indigestion

Incorrect power supply. Eating fatty, spicy, fried, and sugary foods remains the most common cause of indigestion, all of which have negative effects. Spicy and spicy foods can irritate the gastric mucosa and increase its secretory activity, which is manifested by heartburn, pain in the upper abdomen. Fatty and sugary foods hinder motor skills and can cause food to move slowly towards the intestines.As a result, heaviness in the stomach, belching, bloating develops.

Overwork and stress. The functions that the entire gastrointestinal tract performs are directly dependent on the state of the nervous system. It regulates the contractions of the walls of the stomach and intestines, the secretion of digestive juices, etc. Lack of rest, frequent or chronic stress conditions, psychoemotional stress can quickly disable the mechanisms of the nervous system responsible for the health of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, treating an upset stomach requires reducing the level of the listed risk factors.

Alcohol and smoking. Alcohol is a strong irritant to the lining of the stomach lining. It disrupts the secretory function and the composition of the digestive juices. When it comes to smoking, this bad habit affects gastrointestinal health in two ways. Saliva, with the toxic substances it contains (tobacco combustion products), enters the stomach, irritating its walls. And nicotine, with its ability to cause spasms of blood vessels, disrupts blood flow to the stomach, which causes insufficient supply of nutrients and oxygen to its tissues.If functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are observed in a person with bad habits, one of the remedies for indigestion will be to quit smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.

Diagnostics

Inspection. Before treating an upset stomach or bowel, it is necessary to identify the causes of the condition. Diagnosis begins with a visit to a doctor who collects an anamnesis (asks questions about symptoms and how long ago they appeared, about diet and lifestyle, professional employment, taking any pills, etc.)). All this information helps the doctor determine the further direction of diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment for bowel disorders or disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Instrumental research. An accurate diagnostic tool is ultrasound, X-ray examination and fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS). Depending on the patient’s complaints, one of the listed methods may be prescribed, but EGD remains the most informative. This study is carried out using equipment that allows the doctor to visually assess the condition of the walls of the stomach and duodenum, as well as take a small tissue sample for further laboratory examination.

Laboratory research. Tests on blood, urine and stool samples can help identify an infectious cause of an upset stomach or diarrhea, and can also help detect traces of blood (called occult blood). This indicates bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract or intestines (which, among other things, can be caused by taking tablets from the NSAID group).

What can you do for stomach upsets

What to do with an upset stomach depends on what is causing the complaint.

Change in lifestyle and diet. Refusal of bad habits, normalization of the daily routine, physical activity and adherence to the basics of proper nutrition (eating 5-6 times a day in small portions and at a certain time, minimizing or completely abandoning fried, fatty, spicy foods) are conditions that help both to cure intestinal and / or stomach upset and prevent the development of these conditions in the future.

Taking medicines. Indigestion pills can be designed to neutralize the acidic environment (antacids) and create a protective barrier on the mucosal surface to prevent irritation (alginate drugs).If a functional disorder of the upper gastrointestinal tract is accompanied by flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, etc., drugs for intestinal disorders in the form of tablets, suspensions, etc. are prescribed separately.

What a doctor can do

The doctor can send for examination and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Attention! Symptom chart is for educational purposes only. Do not self-medicate; for all questions regarding the definition of the disease and methods of treatment, contact your doctor.Our site is not responsible for the consequences caused by the use of information posted on it.

Indigestion – what to do and how to treat: symptoms and causes of indigestion

In Tibetan medicine there is the concept of “ma-zhu” – “ indigestion” , meaning the weakening of the function of the gastrointestinal tract and the inability to digest and assimilate food and drink.

REASONS OF INDIGENOUS STOMACH

Causes and conditions provoking depletion of the “fiery” warmth of the stomach:

• Long-term consumption of raw or “unsuitable” foods
• Excessive passion for drinking cold water and other hard-to-digest foods
• Coarse and light food and drink (fat-free, uncooked)
• weakened liver
• transferred hepatitis A, B, C
• infectious diseases
• prolonged hypothermia of the body
• prolonged fasting, rigid diets
• Incorrect handling of fasting days
• untimely (irregular intake) food and drink
• gastroptosis (gastric emptying)
• colonoptosis (bowel prolapse)
• long-term prescription of refrigeration drugs

INDIGENOUS STOMACH SYMPTOMS

• impairment of appetite (the patient is very picky about food)
• food is difficult to digest, stomach discomfort is felt
• bloating and fullness in the abdomen
• Frequent belching, especially after a small meal
• constipation
• pain in the solar plexus area
• stomach rumbling
• aching pains in the stomach, ameliorated by palpation
• body heat reduction
• decrease in total body temperature <36.6
• cold, sweaty limbs
• dry skin
• “loss” of strength, lethargy
• pulse becomes weak and slow
• a thin layer of whitish plaque appears on the tongue
• dry hair prone to shedding
• the skin is loose, the symptoms of aging appear quickly
• the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin significantly decreases (the body does not absorb iron, nutrients)

If treatment is not started on time , anemia develops, the risk of cancer increases, anorexia can be fatal 90 130

TREATMENT OF INDIGENOUS STOMACH

Treatment of “ma-zhu” disease in the Naran clinic is aimed at increasing the generation of heat in the stomach, “melting” excess mucus, eliminating heaviness in the stomach and normalizing its digestive ability.

Tibetan medicines of the corresponding spectrum of action are prescribed depending on the symptoms:

• To restore the stomach’s ability to digest food, remove belching, you must take “Ruda-6”
• To suppress badkan (mucus), increase the “fiery warmth” of the stomach, get rid of severe, sudden pain after a sharp abundant satiety, “Shijid-6” is taken
• with severe bloating and distention, with nausea and bitterness in the mouth, the doctor of Tibetan medicine prescribes additional medications that eliminate the cause of these symptoms
• if indigestion is accompanied by excessive agitation, palpitations, it is necessary to take medications that eliminate disturbances in the “wind” system (nervous system)

You need to eat in small portions, little by little, drink more boiling water and avoid hypothermia.

Complex treatment in the Naran clinic includes simultaneous internal (Tibetan herbal medicine) and external effects on the body (procedures).

By external influence we mean a combination (depending on the disease) of the methods of Tibetan medicine.

A mandatory procedure in the treatment of ma-zhu is acupuncture, burning with wormwood cigars at the point of the 12th vertebra and / or, at choice, at nine points of the stomach on the anterior surface of the body, deep acupressure of the whole body, including visceral action to improve energy circulation qi and blood.

RESULTS OF TREATMENT IN THE CLINIC “NARAN”:

1. Harmonization of the systems “wind” (nervous system), “bile” (digestive system), “mucus” (lymphatic system)

2. Improving the digestive capacity of the stomach – “cauldron for digesting food”

3. Improving the absorption of nutrient juices by the body, contributing to the renewal of all body cells and the emergence of new ones

4. Elimination of excess mucus in the stomach, which blocks gastric motility, the production of hydrochloric acid for the digestion of food, etc.d.

5. Normalization of metabolic processes

6. Elimination of obstructed evacuation of food in the intestine

7. Prevention of gastroptosis (gastric emptying)

powerful new generation adsorbent with improved sorption properties

Powerful new generation adsorbent with improved sorption properties.Effectively adsorbs bacteria, viruses. Improves the gastroprotective properties of the mucous barrier, including in relation to the action of hydrochloric acid, bile salts, microorganisms and their toxins. It is used in adults and children from infancy.

Indications for use

• diarrhea (allergic, medicinal origin; in violation of the diet and the quality of food),
• infectious diarrhea – as part of complex therapy;
• treatment of symptoms associated with diseases of the stomach and intestines (heartburn, feeling of heaviness, bloating and discomfort in the abdomen)

Q&A

From what age can you take Neosmectin?

Neosmectin is approved for use in children from birth and in adults.Therefore, Neosmectin has no age restrictions for use.

Can I take Neosmectin for diabetes mellitus?

According to the instructions for medical use, in diabetes mellitus Neosmectin should be taken with caution, since it contains dextrose (0.749g per 1 package of the drug).

How do the different flavored versions of Neosmectin differ?

Neosmectin is currently available in three different flavors – vanilla, raspberry and orange.All varieties of Neosmectin differ only in flavoring additives, the composition of the main substance in them is the same. Therefore, you can choose any variant of the Neosmectin preparation, based on your taste preferences.

Can Neosmectin be taken concurrently with other medicines?

Since Neosmectin belongs to the group of enterosorbents, i.e. to substances with increased absorption capacity, it is able to reduce the rate and degree of absorption of drugs taken simultaneously.Therefore, the interval between taking Neosmectin and other medicines should be 1-2 hours.

Can diluted Neosmectin be stored?

The diluted Neosmectin preparation can be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of 2-8 ° C in a closed container for no more than 16 hours. Shake well the diluted drug before use.

One of the pressing problems: Dyspepsia

Keywords: indigestion, dyspepsia, digestive enzymes, enzyme, nutrition, bloating, heaviness in the abdomen, belching, heartburn.

Today one of the most common complaints is indigestion or dyspepsia. In today’s world, more and more people are suffering from stress and malnutrition from gastrointestinal problems. Signs of indigestion to one degree or another are observed in almost a quarter of the world’s population. From 20 to 40% of all patients who come to see a gastroenterologist complain of symptoms of dyspepsia. In 60-70% of all cases, dyspepsia is functional, that is, the cause of the unpleasant symptoms cannot be established.The rest of the cases of dyspepsia can be a consequence of other diseases of the digestive system, and diseases of other organs and systems, taking certain medications.

What are the main causes of indigestion? Overeating: eating a lot of food at one time leads to heaviness, pain and bloating; low content of vegetable fiber in the diet; haste when eating: poorly chewed food is not soaked enough with saliva, and large pieces of food, getting into the stomach, impede digestion; constant stress and psycho-emotional overload, which can trigger pathological processes in internal organs and systems and reduce immunity; the presence of chronic or ulcerative diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: pancreatitis, cholecystitis, duodenal ulcer.

Chronic gastritis, one of the most common diseases in gastroenterology, occupies a special place in the list of diseases. According to statistics, chronic gastritis occupies 85% of the total mass of all diagnosed stomach diseases. Sometimes even factors such as climate change can provoke disruptions in the work of digestion. Abrupt changes in the environment, the use of new unusual dishes – a common cause of unpleasant feelings of indigestion. Regardless of the reasons listed, all patients develop enzymatic dyspepsia.

Enzymatic dyspepsia is caused by a lack of enzyme production in a particular part of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrogenic type implies a deficiency in the production of enzymes in the stomach, pancreatogenic – in the pancreas, enterogenic – in the intestine, hepatogenic dyspepsia means insufficient production of bile in the liver, its stagnation in the gallbladder.

Indigestion symptoms: The main indigestion symptoms: discomfort, pain in the upper abdomen; heartburn, belching after eating; feeling of fullness in the stomach, flatulence; nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, or diarrhea.

Diagnosis of dyspepsia: In case of complaints of indigestion, contact a gastroenterologist or therapist. In order to diagnose problems with food digestion, the doctor gives a referral for examination: fibrogastroduodenoscopy; Ultrasound of the digestive tract; test for H. pylori ; intragastric pH-metry; blood and feces tests; study of gastroduodenal motility.

What to do to prevent an upset stomach? A healthy diet must be followed.Eat 3-4 times a day, the last meal should be at least 4 hours before bedtime, immediately after a meal, do not drink liquids – water, tea, refuse hard and dry foods, reduce the consumption of starchy foods, should be taken at least once liquid food per day, the composition of the food should be balanced in proteins, fats and carbohydrates, eat vegetables and fruits in sufficient quantities (preferably raw or baked), exclude fast food, etc., you should also limit the use of carbonated water; get rid of bad habits (frequent alcohol consumption, dry food, meals on the go, overeating at night, lack of breakfast).Develop an adequate response to stress, restore the psycho-emotional state through self-motivation, and, if necessary, consult a specialist (indigestion is often associated with negative emotions, nervous overstrain). Among the measures for the prevention of dyspepsia are also good rest, healthy sleep, sufficient physical activity.

Treatment of indigestion: Patients with dyspepsia are recommended to have an individual dietary regimen. In the acute phase of indigestion, fasting for 1-2 days is indicated, then a therapeutic diet must be followed.It is necessary to exclude or reduce in the diet individually intolerable foods. If you have indigestion, you are advised to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. Therapeutic exercises to improve gastrointestinal motility, abdominal massage.

In case of dyspepsia, the appropriate medications are prescribed for the treatment of enzyme deficiency and patient complaints:

Prokinetics – means for normalizing the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract

Antibiotics – for eradication therapy against H.pylori

Antacids and proton pump inhibitors – neutralize the increased secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Digestive enzymes – to overcome enzyme deficiency .

It should be noted that if the deficiency of digestive enzymes is not restored, dyspepsia and other complaints will not completely disappear. To overcome enzyme deficiency, your doctor will prescribe the digestive enzymes you need in terms of composition.

High-quality medicines, natural medicines, cosmetic and hygiene products, baby food and medical supplies for an effective and efficient fight against various diseases, as well as against disease, which is the main topic of the article you are reading, you can find by contacting 90 247 7700 – urgent drug delivery service.

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Caution, persimmon! – GBUZ “City Hospital No. 4 of Sochi” MH KK

Published by 23 October 2018 .

Did you know that fine, healthy persimmons can be dangerous? Moreover, can these delicious fruits lead to serious surgical intervention? An unexpected twist, isn’t it?

In medicine, there is such a concept as phytobezoar – a foreign body formed in the stomach due to components of plant food that are not digested, but rather accumulate and form a foreign body.

Bezoars tend to grow gradually and can reach 20 cm in diameter and weigh up to 1 kg, forming a complete cast of the stomach. Most often, these “findings” are formed in the stomach, but they can be located in the duodenum and in the esophagus.

Persimmon can easily become a provocateur of phytobezoar formation. We have all seen the fibers that permeate the pulp of these fruits. It is they that are not digested by our body, they tend to linger in the stomach, accumulate and form a ball, called phytobezoar by doctors.Like any foreign body, a small bezoar can come out on its own. Treatment of dense and complicated bezoars is only surgical. The operation consists in removing the bezoar by gastrotomy – an open operation to open the lumen of the stomach. And, unfortunately, such a scenario in our region, where persimmon grows practically on every garden plot, is by no means uncommon.

The danger of phytobezoar is that it can cause ulcers (up to bleeding) and necrosis, and large and dense bezoars contribute to perforation of the stomach wall with the development of peritonitis.All of these complications usually require urgent surgical treatment. In this regard, it is necessary to identify bezoars as early as possible for the use of either medications that will help dissolve it, or mechanical removal using special devices through an endoscope inserted into the stomach.

However, if a persimmon lover is a young and healthy person, then the formation of a phytobezoar is unlikely. But in the elderly (due to weakening of motility) or in those who have undergone surgery on the abdominal cavity (due to the formed adhesions), the “journey” of the phytobezoar can result in intestinal obstruction.

And, by the way, there is a very simple advice on the prevention of phytobezoar. Have a persimmon – drink a glass of Pepsi or Cola. This is the rare case when these drinks will not harm, but on the contrary will be beneficial, because they will help dissolve fibers, which, despite their taste, can be dangerous.

Omeprazole for stomach: drug review

The stomach is one of the most “nervous” organs in our body. And you can safely say that he is sick with nervousness, including.There is even an informal term “stomach neurosis”. Therefore, when treating ulcers and gastritis, you should pay attention to your nervous system. And today in the article we will talk about the causes of gastritis and ulcers, their symptoms, and also talk about the well-known drug for the treatment of ulcers and gastritis – omeprazole, and how to prevent the development of diseases.

Where do gastritis and ulcers come from?

1. It is known that gastritis can begin with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which, developing its vigorous activity in the stomach, has a destructive effect on the mucous membrane.Gastritis is a disease in which it becomes inflamed. But the bacterium is not the only factor in the development of the disease.

2. Taking medication, abuse of some pain relievers, long-term medication can destroy the gastric mucosa and cause gastritis.

3. Another factor affecting the development of gastritis is increased bile secretion and its discharge into the stomach.We can talk about violations of the liver function, which, as part of the digestive system, cannot but affect the gastrointestinal tract.

4. There is such a thing as eosinophilic gastritis. which is of an allergic nature. In other words, allergies to some foods are not manifested by external signs, but develops on the mucous membrane inside. Many people think that this is a banal intolerance to some products, but in fact, this is how allergies can be masked.

5. And the cherry on top is food. The key reason for the development of not only gastritis and ulcers, but also other diseases not related to the gastrointestinal tract. Chemical compounds, preservatives, improper processing of foods, spicy, sour, fatty foods, improperly combined foods and lack of culture and diet are sure harbingers of stomach diseases.

Symptoms of gastritis and gastrointestinal diseases

Gastritis can occur in acute outbreaks, or it can take on a protracted, sluggish character, acquiring a chronic form, developing into an ulcer.Peptic ulcer is a disease in which local defects of the gastric mucosa appear (sometimes with the capture of the submucosa). Such defects appear with excessive production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, pepsin and bile flow. The prolonged influence of which on the walls and mucous membrane of the stomach causes trophic disturbances in its parts.

When to watch out for

• Nausea that does not depend on food intake or time of day
• Vomiting, vomiting with poorly digested food debris, long after a meal; vomiting with blood particles
• Pain in the solar plexus and epigastric region dull, shingles, aching and pressing
• Hunger pains or pains that begin immediately after eating
• Stool disorder
• Heartburn, heartburn with pain, immediately after taking any food.
• Sour taste in the mouth, sour belching, frequent belching
• Heaviness and discomfort in the stomach after eating;
• Thick gray or whitish coating on tongue
• Sour smell and taste in the mouth
• Bloating (combined with nausea and other stomach manifestations)
• Feeling of thirst and dryness in the mouth
• General weakness and increased fatigue
• Headache and low-grade fever

IMPORTANT: In acute stages, gastritis can be confused with attacks of ulcers or pancreatitis.Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, because the latter can be life-threatening.

A drug for reducing the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The general therapeutic effect is aimed at protecting the damaged mucous membrane of the organ from the action of an aggressive environment. It is used in the complex therapy for the treatment of gastritis, erosions and stomach ulcers. It is indicated for other pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Composition of omeprazole

The main active ingredient is omeprazole.The amount of a substance in different forms of release is presented in different ways.
So the drug has 2 forms of release – capsules and powder for preparation of solution for injection (lyophilisate).

Capsules Omeprazole
One capsule contains 20 mg of active ingredient. Designed for oral administration.

It is worth noting that there are also capsules in a dosage of 10 mg. The only non-prescription form that is suitable for the prevention of recurrence of gastritis and ulcers.

Lyophilisate Omeprazole

One bottle contains 40 milligrams of the substance. A solution for injection (dropper) is prepared from the dosage form intravenously.
The course of omeprazole depends on the severity of the disease, and it is permissible to be taken for a long time (up to 8 weeks) under the supervision of a specialist.
The daily dose of the drug is from 10 to 80 mg; frequency of use – 1-2 times / day.

Readings

• Stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, both in the acute stage and to prevent relapse;
• Inflammations caused by Helicobacter pilory
• Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus due to ingestion of stomach contents
• Erosion of the esophagus
• Pathologies developing against the background of increased production of hydrochloric acid
• Frequent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nise, ibuprofen, ketans, ketorol).

Contraindications

• Age up to eighteen years.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Individual intolerance to the components of the drug

Side effects

• From the digestive system: constipation, bloating, changes in stool consistency, nausea and vomiting, increased production of liver enzymes, dry mouth, impaired taste sensitivity.
• From the side of the central nervous system: increased excitability, cephalalgia, mood swings, dizziness; increased sensitivity to light
• Skin: rashes, inflammation and soreness of the skin, hair loss
• Allergic reactions: Quincke’s edema, fever, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis.
• Hematopoietic organs: change in blood composition, decrease in leukocytes and platelets
• Musculoskeletal system: myasthenia gravis, soreness of muscles and joints
• Other symptoms: development of general weakness and loss of strength, swelling, increased sweating
• With caution and under control, women should be taken due to the possible excessive growth of the glandular tissue of the breast; with prolonged use, the formation of glandular cysts in the stomach of a benign nature is possible.

Prevention of ulcers and gastritis

• All prevention of gastritis and ulcers is aimed at protecting the stomach and gastrointestinal tract as a whole from adverse factors that can trigger the development of gastritis and ulcers. The very first is a balanced diet, in which “junk” food is excluded or severely limited: fried foods, smoked and spicy foods, spices, semi-prepared and raw dishes from meat, poultry and fish, alcohol and tobacco smoking.

Important: Tobacco smoke spreads through the circulatory system instantly and, having a negative effect on the vessels, can cause their spasm, including spasm of the vessels of the stomach.Which can impair the quality of the organ’s work.

• The temperature of the food is also important. Too cold or too hot – drinks, solid food, can injure not only the gastric mucosa, but also the esophagus. Which can also cause serious illness.
• The diet in general is also important. Long hunger breaks, constant overeating to the state of “breathing hard”, different meal times, food before bedtime – all this is a sure harbinger of imminent problems not only with the stomach, but also with the nervous system.
• Important: do not overuse medications and grab the first-aid kit for the slightest reason. Uncontrolled use of vitamins, medicines and dietary supplements is also a direct path to gastrointestinal disorders.

Interesting Facts:

• It takes 7-10 seconds for food to enter the stomach.
• An adult’s stomach can hold 1.5 liters of liquid
• The stomach is unable to “stretch”. Even after overeating, he is able to return to his true size.
• The stomach muscles are so strong that even if we eat upside down, the food will fall where it needs to be and stay there.
• The concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach is so high that if there were no protective substances in the gastric juice and mucous membrane, it would burn out its own stomach. The acidity index of the stomach (pH) is 1.2. That allows you to digest small bones, wood and even plastic!
• The stomach is very closely connected with the parts of the brain that are responsible for emotions.So, our emotions can directly affect the work of the stomach. The psychosomatics of stomach diseases says that if there is a disease, it means that a person does not “digest” the situation or people in his life badly.

So watch your emotions to stay healthy and happy! 90,000 Digestion and COVID-19: what to think about for patients with chronic gastrointestinal diseases

On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced the official name of the infection caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 – COVID-19.Since then, scientists have been monitoring epidemiological data, the clinical course of the disease on a daily basis, developing and implementing methods of prevention and treatment. The most common clinical manifestation of a new coronavirus infection is bilateral pneumonia.

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If the length of the text is more than 22 characters, then the text “More details” is used.

More details

In addition to signs of damage to the respiratory system, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are observed with COVID-19.Most of those infected have mild to moderate illness and do not need hospitalization. Symptoms commonly seen include:

Some infected people may experience various painful sensations (sore throat, muscles, joints, headache), diarrhea, conjunctivitis, loss of smell and taste, sometimes skin rash, depigmentation.

Note: if you have nausea, bitterness in the mouth, diarrhea, then this is not at all a direct indication of the gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID-19.You should consult a gastroenterologist who knows how to properly assess your symptoms, what kind of examination you need and how you should be treated. It is very important to separate the states when problems with the gastrointestinal tract first appeared and when changes in the existing chronic diseases of the digestive system occur.

Special offers for endoscopic examinations

More details

What do we know about the primary lesion of the gastrointestinal tract with the SARS-CoV-2 virus?

So far, there is not much data.The results of patient follow-up are as follows: the incidence of gastrointestinal lesions in COVID-19 is different. So, diarrhea occurred in 34% of cases, vomiting was observed in 3.9% of cases, abdominal pain bothered 1.9% of patients. More data is needed for a more accurate picture, as this study was conducted with the participation of 204 patients.

If we talk about diarrhea as the most common symptom, then it most often developed already during hospitalization. The researchers hypothesized that dry cough and shortness of breath are characteristic mainly of the first wave of patients with coronavirus infection, and the symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract are characteristic of the second wave.But we must understand that this is a hypothesis: it is too early to talk about the definition of clear diagnostic criteria and the description of the gastrointestinal form of covid. The appearance of symptoms of gastrointestinal tract damage needs to be assessed by a specialist gastroenterologist, and only after confirmation of the presence of infection with a new coronavirus can they be attributed to the manifestation of COVID-19.

Risk group: people with inflammatory bowel disease

Today, people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at risk.There are recommendations that regulate how the tactics of treating serious diseases in conditions of coronavirus infection are changing. Patients are advised to contact their health care provider when new symptoms appear.

Risk group: people with liver disease

People with liver disease may be at risk for severe COVID-19 disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that some hospitalized patients with COVID-19 have increased levels of liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).This indicates that the patients’ liver is at least temporarily damaged. In addition, liver damage is more common in patients with severe disease.

However, it is not known for sure whether this increase in liver enzymes is directly related to the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) in the liver, or whether the liver damage is the result of other factors.

Why you need to go to the doctor

If covid is layered on existing serious diseases of the digestive system, the patient needs an individual approach to therapy.Here you need to take into account and evaluate the patient’s condition in order to change or continue the main treatment regimen.

If this is your first time experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, heartburn, or belching, consider whether you have risk factors that could cause a severe course of coronavirus infection. These are obesity, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension. It is better to consult a gastroenterologist in advance, without waiting for the symptoms of covid: the doctor will help solve the problem and reduce your risks.

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