Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Are Tums Good For Upset Stomach

Symptoms Of Heartburn In Dogs

How to Soothe an Upset Stomach

Of course, to treat your dogs gastric acid, you must acknowledge that they are in the first place.

As is often the case when you try to keep our pets healthy and happy, we need their behavior to deliver the type of problem they experience. Happy dogs often exhibit symptoms that can easily be attributed to heartburn.

Some of the most common symptoms of stomach acid in dogs include:

  • Regurgitation or vomiting, especially when accompanied by coughing or production of a small amount of foaming, yellow liquid
  • Pain During or immediately after eating
  • Repeated swallowed appetite or disinterest food
  • Weight loss
  • Excessive salivation
  • Sounds heard after the food

Of course, these stomach disorders can also be the result of other stomach problems. Therefore it is always vital to bring your pooch to the vet to exactly assess which abdominal problems.

Heartburn Gerd And Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can put extra pressure on the muscles in the stomach and frequently cause symptoms of acid reflux while pregnant. Also, the same foods that cause heartburn in any person affect pregnant women just as much.

According to Dr. John Cunha on MedicineNet, some ways to alleviate heartburn symptoms during pregnancy include some of the following:16

  • Raise the head end of your bed by 6 to 8 inches. This helps to take the pressure off your stomach and prevents heartburn in the morning.
  • Lay on your left side while sleeping as this makes it harder for stomach juices to escape into your esophagus.
  • Dont bend over after eating.
  • Avoid foods that increase heartburn symptoms and consume more foods that prevent excess stomach acid.
  • Chewing gum can help relieve heartburn symptoms during pregnancy.

How Is Gerd Treated

Treatment usually starts with lifestyle changesâsuch as quitting smoking and losing weightâand with medicines that you can buy without a prescription. These medicines reduce or block stomach acid. They include H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors .

Talk to your doctor if over-the-counter medicines arent controlling your symptoms. In most cases, he or she can prescribe other medicine to help control your symptoms.

The most common surgery for GERD is called fundoplication surgery. It involves wrapping part of the stomach around the esophagus to strengthen it. If you have a hiatal hernia, it also will be fixed.

This surgery is often done laparoscopically. Instead of making a large cut in the belly, the doctor puts a lighted tube, or scope, and surgical tools into small cuts in your belly. This allows the doctor to see into your belly to do the surgery.

You may decide to have surgery if:

  • Medicines dont relieve your symptoms enough.
  • Medicine works to stop your symptoms, but for other reasons you cant or dont want to take the medicine.
  • You have other problems that dont get better with medicine, such as asthma, hoarseness, or a cough caused when the acid backs up in your throat.
Treating GERD in pregnant women

Be careful when you take over-the-counter antacid medicines. Many of these medicines have aspirin in them. While you are pregnant, do not take aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin unless your doctor says it is okay.

Read Also: How To Slim Your Stomach In 2 Weeks

Does Tums Cause Constipation: Heartburn Treatments And Prevention

Heartburn is a common condition that affects over 60 million Americans who experience symptoms at least once a month.

In fact, some experts suggest that over 15 million Americans experience heartburn symptoms every single day.

If youve ever suffered from heartburn, then its likely that youve tried to alleviate the symptoms by taking the popular over the counter remedy, Tums.

Some people, though, noticed changes in their bowel movements after taking it, so weve answered the common question, Does Tums cause constipation?, in detail.

How To Avoid An Upset Stomach

Tums Assorted Fruit Antacid

Youve just enjoyed a delicious meal and are clearing the dishes from the table when it startsan upset stomach. Getting an upset stomach after eating is something that most of us have experienced at one time or anotherand when it happens, it can be debilitating. So why do we experience stomach discomfort after eating? And how can we get rid of the uncomfortable symptoms? Read on to learn more about whats happening to your body and how to get relief.

You May Like: What Causes Stomach Distension After Eating

How To Cure Gastric

The right diagnosis is key when looking for cure of gastric problems.

50-70% complaints of gastric pain may not have any severe underlying problem and can be resolved with prescribed antacids along with diet and lifestyle modifications reassures Dr. Mayank.

All cases of gastric pain need careful medical examination to rule out other causes like gallbladder stones, gastric ulcers or something else.

If you have questions about persistent gastric troubles, come in for a consultation with our internal medicine physicians and get all your doubts cleared.

Update: This blog post was originally written in June 2018 and has been updated with inputs in May 2020.

How Much Tums Can You Give Your Dog

Like any other type of medication, the correct dosage should be given to your dogs to maximize the drugs benefits and minimize the risks. Proper dosage will depend on various factors. This includes the strength of the formula and your dogs body weight.

Below youll find the dosage PER DAY typically used for dogs. However, if youre planning to give your dog Tums, youd want to know the proper dosage or the exact amount to give your dog. To do this, seeking the help of an expert who can provide veterinary advice is highly recommended.

Small dogs: 1250 mg per day

Medium dogs: 2 to 4 grams per day

Large dogs: 4 to 6 grams per day

Extra-large dogs: 6-10 grams per day

Don’t Miss: How To Reset My Stomach

Foods That Keep Your Digestive System Healthy

Just like there are foods that may trigger stomach upset, there are also plenty of healthy, wholefood options that support digestive health and help keep your digestive system running smoothly. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can help support your digestion.1 That being said, if your indigestion is due to an underlying condition or disease, additional treatment may be needed. Reach out to your doctor if you suspect you have a digestive health condition, such as GERD.

Eating a nutritious, well-rounded diet, rich in vitamins and minerals can help promote digestive health. Here are some ideas for foods that can help your stomach feel its best:

Do Tums Help With Nausea

Pepto Bismol…for Dogs?

People who have an upset stomach or indigestion usually experience nausea along with their presenting complaints. Tums can be used to relieve symptoms due to such conditions.

On the other hand, an information leaflet which comes along with your pack of Tums clearly mentions that patients may or may not experience constipation, belching, flatulence and nausea as potential side effects.

This means that the role of Tums in dealing with nausea only is doubtful. There is an additional limitation for use of Tums to deal with a hangover after alcohol since nausea can be a side effect of the antacid itself. Another limitation of Tums is that it is not curative. Symptoms may return after you stop taking Tums.

You May Like: Does Banana Cause Bloating And Gas

Don’t Miss: What To Do If You Have The Stomach Flu

Does Milk Help An Upset Stomach

The answer depends on why your stomach is aching. If its an excess of acid thats causing inflammation in the oesophagus or stomach, then milk may help. Thats because milk coats the lining and buffers the acid inside your stomach. Milk can also help to quell the burning sensation of spicy foods like chilli.

What Does Heartburn Feel Like

Heartburn typically feels like a burning in the center of your chest, behind your breastbone. When you have heartburn, you may also feel symptoms like:

  • A burning feeling in your chest that can last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours.
  • Pain in your chest when you bend over or lay down.
  • A burning feeling in your throat.
  • A hot, sour, acidic or salty taste in the back of your throat.
  • Difficulty swallowing.

Donât Miss: Does Breast Cancer Cause Heartburn

Don’t Miss: How Can I Settle My Cats Stomach

Can You Give A Dog A Tum For An Upset Stomach

The simple answer to this question is yes, Tums CAN be effective for dogs with an upset stomach. Because Tums reduce the presence of excessive stomach acid, they can help some dogs with the presence of indigestion and stomach discomfort.

Calcium carbonate raises the pH inside your dogs digestive tract . Therefore, if your dogs discomfort is caused by too much acid, the calcium carbonate in TUMS will effectively neutralize it. Most dogs get mildly constipated after receiving TUMS. Because of the taste, some dogs go on the hunt for a TUMS container.

Runny Stool in Dogs: The Cause and Solution 1 General Symptoms of Runny Stool in dogs. Loose or liquid, recurrent runny stools are 2 Feed Less to Firm Up Stool. Feeding less will relieve strain on your dogs digestive system. 3 Avoid giving your pup some foods. Not only can foods like table scraps cause bad habits like begging

What Are Some Other Side Effects Of Tums

Tums Extra Strength 750 Chewable Tablets Assorted Berries

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

  • Constipation.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Don’t Miss: How To Tone Up Your Stomach

Is It Ok To Take Antacid Tablets Daily

While plenty of people use calcium carbonate antacid tablets as a source of calcium, this can be tricky to navigate. “Be careful,” says Jamie K. Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. “If you take too many at a time, your stomach starts pumping out acid, and you get a ‘rebound effect’ where you produce a large amount of acid.” This, she says, “can be quite uncomfortable.”

Dr. Farhadi agrees. “You have a thermostat in your body,” he says. “When you neutralize acid right away, the body is going to make acid, and it will come back with revenge.” If you rely solely on calcium carbonate antacid tablets for your calcium source, you could be popping up to five a dayâand that can raise your risk of rebound indigestion, Dr. Farhadi says.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine also points out that calcium carbonate tablets can cause a slew of potential side effects, including:

  • upset stomach
  • unusual tiredness
  • muscle weakness

If you’re already dealing with the occasional heartburn or acid indigestion, experts say it’s best to get your calcium supplementation elsewhere. The taste of antacid tablets can also be a little much to take. “I prefer the calcium tablets that you swallow,” Dr. Alan says.

Why Is Tums Bad For Dogs

While giving Tums to dogs may have its benefits, this calcium salt is best given after seeking expert veterinary advice. This is because the risks often outweigh the pros. This is especially true if your dog suffers from any medical conditions.

And since any responsible dog owner will want to know all the side effects to avoid any unforeseen visits to the vet, heres a quick rundown of all of the reasons why Tums can be bad for your dogs:

Recommended Reading: What Does An Ulcer Look Like In The Stomach

Tums May Contain Toxic Ingredients

Potentially harmful ingredients like artificial sweeteners are usually part of Tums ingredients list. As such, carefully checking the labels is a must.

Artificial sweeteners like xylitol may be harmless to humans, but these man-made sweeteners are toxic to dogs. Xylitol poisoning is characterized by a sudden drop in the dogs blood sugar levels. Its symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and seizures.

Home Remedies For Gas Relief

Upset Stomach Home Remedies

If you have chronic gas problems and you only have TUMS at home, dont worry. There are a number of at-home remedies that can help stop gas production or reduce trapped gas and bloating. These include:

  • Probiotics. Taking daily probiotic supplements may help reduce gas by altering and improving the bacterial environment of the digestive tract. Its worth noting that there are many different

You May Like: What’s Good Exercise To Lose Stomach Fat

Can Cause Bone And Cartilage Development Problems

If youre thinking of giving your puppies Tums, DONT! Tums contain too much calcium, and sharing this with your puppies can adversely affect their bone and cartilage development.

Should you decide to administer this to your pup, a vets permission is necessary. The same goes for pregnant or nursing dogs. Even though this product is OB/GYN recommended, Tums may still have adverse effects on pregnant or nursing dogs and is not considered safe given all its potential dangers.

Who Can And Can’t Take Pepto

Pepto-Bismol can be taken by most adults and young people from the age of 16 years.

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pepto-Bismol is not suitable for some people. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

  • had an allergic reaction to Pepto-Bismol, aspirin or any other medicines in the past
  • an allergy to amaranth or aspartame
  • a problem with blood clotting
  • gout
  • a rare inherited illness called phenylketonuria – the chewable tablets contain aspartame

Pepto-Bismol liquid and tablets both contain a colouring called amaranth. Some people can have an allergic reaction to amaranth.

Also Check: Are Pickles Good For Your Stomach

How Much To Take

Liquid: a single dose is 30ml. Use the measuring cup that comes with the medicine to make sure you get the right amount.

Tablets: a single dose is 2 tablets. Chew the tablets or let them dissolve on your tongue.

If you need to, repeat this dose every 30 to 60 minutes. Do not take more than 8 doses in 24 hours.

Signs Your Kid Or Toddler Might Actually Have A Belly Ache

TUMS Ultra Strength Antacid Tablets for Chewable Heartburn Relief and ...

The other possibility here is that your toddler might actually, really be sick and have a stomachache.

The nurse I spoke to told me to keep a lookout for a couple of key things to tell if my daughters stomachaches are real or imagined.

  • Changes in appetite
  • Urinating more or less frequently than usual
  • Diarrhea

These kinds of signs should be pretty apparent if your kid is actually sick with a stomachache.

If you see these things crop up, its best to call in the pros and get an appointment with your pediatrician rather than trying to self-medicate with Tums or other over-the-counter remedies, unless recommended by a doctor.

And if attention and/or placebo arent making the complaining stop, thats another sign that they might actually be sick and need to visit the doctor.

Also Check: Why Does My Stomach Hurt In The Morning

How Do Antacid Tablets Work In The Gut

Antacid tablets are alkaline, meaning they’re not acidic. “They’re anti-acid and help neutralize the acid in your stomach,” says Ashkan Farhadi, MD, a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “They are like putting out the fire, and they neutralize the acid right away.” Both calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide tablets work this way.

If you have heartburn or acid reflux, antacid tablets are very effective,” Dr. Farhadi says. The effect is “immediate,” he says, but relief doesn’t last long.

Are There Any Non

Linstedt: Sure there are. For starters, try to maintain a healthy weight. If you smoke, quit. And avoid foods and beverages that can make your condition worse, such as chocolate, coffee, acidic tomato products, greasy or spicy foods and alcoholic beverages.

Loose-fitting clothing can also help. And after a meal, dont lie down for 3 hours. That might mean you need to plan an earlier dinnertime. And if you have acid reflux, sleep with your head elevated. You can do this by putting a foam wedge under the head of your mattress or extra pillows under your head and upper back to raise your head around 6 to 8 inches.

The good news is that antacids can really help. And if you take them occasionally and at the recommended dose, they rarely cause side effects. But you should talk to your doctor if youre taking them frequently. You may need to discuss a better long-term solution.

Additional sources

You May Like: How To Reduce Gas In Stomach Home Remedies

Gastric Pain : Rajesh Sharmas Experience

Mr Rajesh Sharmas personal struggle with gastric pain is a case in point.

Rajesh had been suffering from pain in abdomen, nausea and vomiting for close to 5 days now. He had experienced this pain on and off for a while but had ignored it assuming it to be simple gastric pain.

Now that his go-to antacids and medicines werent providing him any relief, he decided to consult Dr. Mayank Uppal, Consultant, Internal Medicine at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital in South Delhi.

Based on his presenting symptoms like sharp pain in upper abdomen on the right side near the ribs and nausea and vomiting, he was advised an ultrasound.

The ultrasound revealed gallbladder stones of significant size which were causing repeated inflammation of the gallbladder wall also called cholecystitis.

He was recommended a laparoscopic cholecystectomy or minimally invasive surgery for gallbladder removal.

He was hesitant about the surgery but he understood that it was the only way to prevent further complications.

He scheduled the surgery for Thursday and after three days, he was able to resume work on Monday.

Im so thankful that I didnt ignore the pain anymore or attempt to treat myself with home remedies for gastric pain. I feel much better after surgery and am relieved that I avoided any chances of complications! said Rajesh in a follow-up visit

Popular Articles
Related news