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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
ZANTAC AND DIARREHA / GAS?
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
ZANTAC AND DIARREHA / GAS?
by pilchard, Mar 09, 2002 12:00AM
Hi to everybody,
I am 28 yr old healthy male.
I have been given zantac for a suspected hiatas hernia and now I am getting alot of gas and bouts of loose stools ( not bad or really watery )along with mild dull abdominal pains/ache.
Has anybody had this with these tablets or should I go back to the doctors, I did mention it to him last time and he said 'could be the tablets' but didn't seem too concerned.
I am not due back to the doctors untill I get an appointment for an endoscopy in about 2 months.
Thankyou in advance for any replies.
I am 28 yr old healthy male.
I have been given zantac for a suspected hiatas hernia and now I am getting alot of gas and bouts of loose stools ( not bad or really watery )along with mild dull abdominal pains/ache.
Has anybody had this with these tablets or should I go back to the doctors, I did mention it to him last time and he said 'could be the tablets' but didn't seem too concerned.
I am not due back to the doctors untill I get an appointment for an endoscopy in about 2 months.
Thankyou in advance for any replies.
GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)
LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)
Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems: VCD attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.
SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.
PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It can be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray’s website.
Some of the following we learned from people &/or other books, &/or other good websites about voice, GER, etc.
(1) DGL (De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice) is one of our main methods of controlling the GER/LPR. We use Enzymatic Therapy brand, shortly before meals. The DGL does not cause high blood pressure, and does not cause fluid retention/edema, because the bad (steroidal) part of whole/crude licorice has been removed, leaving the DGL.
The DGL tablet(s) must be chewed, to mix with saliva, to be effective. If it is too dry, one could mash/crush it and mix with a little water, and then chew it up. Chew tablet(s) for a minute or so, to thoroughly mix with saliva, shortly before each meal, and if necessary, between meals (Read label directions).
The DGL seems to not only promote healing of throat, esophagus and stomach, but also seems to help prevent OUR reflux.(resulting in no more globus/lump in throat sensation, no more constant throat clearing, excess mucous, excess phlegm, no more NIGHT-TIME VCD attacks, no more laryngitis, etc. for us)
We like the taste of the DGL CHEWABLE tablets, but for those who hate the taste, try the chocolate flavored kind, without any mint. (Mint—in all forms, can cause gastric reflux episodes. AVOID MINT.).
(2) We use Thayers brand of Slippery Elm Throat Lozenges when we feel the need. (Soothing, coating, healing, nourishing). Slippery Elm also comes in teabag form, or in bulk, etc. as an herbal supplement.
(3) We drink the occasional small glass of carrot juice (organic, fresh) which soothes, coats, heals the digestive tract, is nourishing, and stimulates the immune system, with beta-carotene, soothing and coating PECTIN (a type of fiber), and other good nutrients. (Carrot soup, cooked carrots are also good. Beta-carotene is heat resistant.) (Beta-carotene later is turned into Vitamin A inside us)
(4) We tried elevating the head of the bed a few inches, by putting 6 inch to 8 inch blocks under the head end of the bed. This creates a slant (tilt), where one’s head is 6 to 8 inches higher than the feet. This helps some people, but not all people. (Check with a pediatric Gastro-enterologist, about raising the head end of a bed of a child, or a crib of an infant). Also, see (16) about a special GERD PILLOW, for adults.
(5) We try not to bend over too often, and we try to avoid straining (Valsalva maneuver). We avoid lifting heavy objects. (No weight lifting!) (at least until after no more reflux symptoms for 3 months).
(a) If CONSTIPATION is causing any straining, see Ref.15,18,23,24,25 on page 9 for ideas about gently treating constipation, including eating whole grains, not white (de-natured ones), etc. For us, exercise, increased water intake, acidophilus/bifidus, digestive enzymes, avoiding junk food, improved diet, chewing slowly (takes will power!), eating when not under stress or angry, etc., all are helpful.
(6) No more tight pants, belt, corset,--avoid tight clothing, etc.
(7) We try to not eat too much junk food. Some people avoid acidic food, while others need to eat acidic food, if their stomach is not producing any (or enough) acid. (It is good to avoid acid, if one has an ulcer.) These gastric reflux tips methods often can help to heal ulcers. Some people need betaine hydrochloride supplements, which becomes HCl/hydrochloric acid, or, some use vinegar (acetic acid) in salads, or mixed with water, while others need to avoid eating excess acid. Each person is unique. We avoid all artificial sweeteners. Anyone with diabetes might want to look at the excellent book Reversing Diabetes, by Dr. Julian Whittaker, M.D..
Diet soda pop contains the harmful artificial sweetener Aspartame (Equal/Nutrasweet), which can cause WEIGHT GAIN, HEADACHES, UPSET STOMACH, BLURRED VISION, BLINDNESS, TWITCHING, SEIZURES, BRAIN TUMORS, HYPERACTIVITY, MOOD SWINGS, ETC., and soda pop often has strong acids, plus other harmful artificial ingredients. Plain water, gentle herb teas, certain fruit juices, brown rice-milk, etc. are healthier substitutes for soda pops.
(8) We try to drink more water, to prevent chronic dehydration. We like hard (nicely mineralized) well or spring water.
We do not drink distilled water (soft water, no minerals), because it can leach minerals out of our bones, possibly contributing to osteoporosis. (See Ref.18,23, on page 9.) We avoid water softeners (chemicals) because they can be toxic, and because good minerals help keep us healthy. People with KIDNEY PROBLEMS &/or GLAUCOMA, etc. should ask their docs how much water is safe to drink, since too much water can be dangerous for them! (But, dehydration can cause problems also.)
(9) We use acidophilus/bifidus ( edible beneficial bacteria which keep bad YEASTS away, such as Candida Albicans, formerly called Monilia). ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS also can eat or control some bad bacteria, and some viruses. The acidophilus/bifidus are also called pro-biotics, and are beneficial intestinal flora (mainly for the large intestine). We keep the jars refrigerated, but not too cold. (See Ref.14,15,23,24,25, on page 9).
Acidophilus/bifidus can re-populate the large intestine, with good bacteria, after antibiotics &/or steroids, etc. have killed off these good bacteria! Some of us have to continue eating the acidophilus/bifidus (daily, or from time to time), but the results seem worth the effort to us.
Yogurt and buttermilk contain similar beneficial bacteria, but are milk products, so see (11) below about milk products.
(10) We use digestive enzymes. My husband likes Acid-Ease by Prevail, which contains Slippery Elm (inner bark), Marshmallow Root, Gamma-Oryzanol (from Rice Bran Oil), and the plant enzymes Amylase (digests starch), Lipase II (digests fat), and Cellulase I (digests cellulose from plant cell walls). The Acid-Ease does not contain Protease, which can be very irritating to ulcer/GER folks.
The Acid-Ease is NOT an acid blocker. It is not an antacid. It soothes, coats, nourishes, and promotes healing. Its enzymes help with leaky gut syndrome.
I use Total Enzymes (which does have Protease, a protein digesting enzyme) by Nutri-West, a company that sells only to health practitioners (Chiropracters, Physicians, and others). One could ask their physician to order, at cost, for them, by having physician call 1-307-358-5066.
Digestive enzymes are NOT FOR EVERYBODY.
(11) My husband has found that avoiding milk products helps him feel less congested, with less mucous in throat. Milk and milk products can cause gastric reflux episodes. Brown-Rice Milk (look for gluten-free) can substitute for milk (but not for babies!). Gluten is in wheat, rye, oats, barley, & buckwheat. Read labels to avoid hidden gluten, in some soy sauces, gravies, grain alcohols, beer (barley malt), etc.
MILK MAY CAUSE MORE ACID to be produced, IN THE STOMACH.
I occasionally eat milk products, like yogurt, cheese, whipped cream, or my ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS, which is mixed with goat milk powder. So, at these times, I take LACTASE ENZYMES, to digest (break down into easily absorbed small molecules) the milk-sugar called LACTOSE. Many people (due to heredity &/or disease) have Lactose intolerance, where one’s small intestine does not secrete the lactase enzyme. Result is that the milk-sugar (lactose) travels further down the small intestine than it should. Then, bad bacteria eat the lactose, giving off lots of gas (a by-product of the digestion of bad bacteria), and this causes folks to get bloated, gassy, have diarrhea, and cramping. I use Lactaid” brand lactase enzymes, and it works for me. Ordering direct from them can save money.
(12) Using the above methods has almost completely freed my husband of needing to use Tums, and seems to be nicely controlling his and my GER/LPR. We have nev