Antacids

[Derek Borckmann]

After I was diagnosed with Celiac i stopped taking Tums and Pepto. Did I really need to stop doing this as I cannot find anything on the labels that would indicate gluten?

What are the antacids that you all take to relieve the other stomach issues that may not be realted to Celiac and does anybody take Tums or Pepto. I feel like I lost two frinds here.

Derek.

[burdee]

Read "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You" by Jonathon Wright, MD. Many celiacs get reflux, because celiac damaged intestines compromises the normal digestive process. Since intestines aren't digesting well, the stomach doesn't empty normally. So the contents can reflux. However reflux does NOT necessarily mean excess stomach acid. Many people with digestive disorders have LOW stomach acid.

If you take antacids or acid blockers for long periods, you will deplete your stomach acid which prevents food born bacteria from entering the intestine. Your acid depleted stomach will not produce enough pepsin to digest proteins or absorb important nutrients like magnesium from foods you eat. The antacid/acid blocker industry is a huge financial success for drug companies which began long before scientists proved most ulcers are caused by the H. Pylori bacteria. How many doctors actually MEASURE a patient's stomach acid before they prescribe acid blockers or antacids?

There are many non drug ways to relieve and prevent reflux. Simple ways include drinking more pure water between meals, avoid spicey foods, citric acid. caffeine and alcohol, and eating only enough to satisfy hunger at each meal or snack. Reflux is often caused by overfilling the stomach. Of course, with celiac intestinal damage, the stomach may empty very slowly, causing reflux after consumption of normal or even small amounts. Nevertheless antacids or acid blockers are rarely the solution.

BURDEE

[cyberprof]

Burdee, thank you for this.

I never had a reflux problem until three months before diagnosis. I have to be careful not to eat too much or too fast. And I love spicy foods but have to be careful with them, too. It's nice to read your explanation.

~Laura

(P.S. Waving "HI" from another Seattleite.)

Read "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You" by Jonathon Wright, MD. Many celiacs get reflux, because celiac damaged intestines compromises the normal digestive process. Since intestines aren't digesting well, the stomach doesn't empty normally. So the contents can reflux. However reflux does NOT necessarily mean excess stomach acid. Many people with digestive disorders have LOW stomach acid.

If you take antacids or acid blockers for long periods, you will deplete your stomach acid which prevents food born bacteria from entering the intestine. Your acid depleted stomach will not produce enough pepsin to digest proteins or absorb important nutrients like magnesium from foods you eat. The antacid/acid blocker industry is a huge financial success for drug companies which began long before scientists proved most ulcers are caused by the H. Pylori bacteria. How many doctors actually MEASURE a patient's stomach acid before they prescribe acid blockers or antacids?

There are many non drug ways to relieve and prevent reflux. Simple ways include drinking more pure water between meals, avoid spicey foods, citric acid from fruits and beverages, and eating only enough to satisfy hunger at each meal or snack. Reflux is often caused by overfilling the stomach. Of course, with celiac intestinal damage, the stomach may empty very slowly, causing reflux after consumption of normal or even small amounts. Nevertheless antacids or acid blockers are rarely the solution.

BURDEE

[SunnyDyRain]

Probally about 6-8 monthes before diagnosis I had problems with heartburn. It was really starting to get to me. I was using Zantac to help with that. I noticed last week that I rarely get that anymore, infact the only time I get it is when I go hog crazy on the vinigar in my salad. (I'm a vinegar fiend). This says alot being that I eat quite a bit of mexican and hot wings! This was an unexpected side effect of going Gluten Free!

[VioletBlue]

On the rare occasions now when I suffer from indigestion or acid reflux, and it's really rare since going off gluten, I take apple cider pills. They work wonders. I doubt they would have stopped the full blown attacks I had before, but now they're all I need.

[ravenwoodglass]

If I get a severe glutening I do use pepto, one dose will cut the stomach pain almost immediately. It does nothing to stop the D, I just let that run it's course but for me the D hits 3 days later. The stomach pain will start within a few hours.