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What Causes Constipation, Digestion And Nausea?
Question: To date it has not yet been determined whether I have stomach ulcers, yet my symptoms appear to be consistent with those of ulcer patients. I'm concerned with taking alendronate sodium (once weekly doses). The medicate guide by the manufacturer, Cipla USA, indicates that among the most common side
effects are stomach pain, heartburn, constipation, upset stomach and nausea----all of which I've been trying
to alleviate with omeprazole, digestive enzymes, and a restricted diet (per my physician's advice).
1.Based on your experience with patients with similar conditions, what is the probability that my digestive problems will worsen with alendronate sodium at the 70 mg dosage?
2. Is there an alternative treatment for osteoporosis that is 'kinder' to the stomach?
3.Is there any evidence that large doses of calcium and vitamin D coupled with alternative drugs could be as effective?
I am 70 and have always been in good health, lead an active life (bike riding, hiking) and am not taking any other medication but the omeprazole.
Thank you for your feedback
effects are stomach pain, heartburn, constipation, upset stomach and nausea----all of which I've been trying
to alleviate with omeprazole, digestive enzymes, and a restricted diet (per my physician's advice).
1.Based on your experience with patients with similar conditions, what is the probability that my digestive problems will worsen with alendronate sodium at the 70 mg dosage?
2. Is there an alternative treatment for osteoporosis that is 'kinder' to the stomach?
3.Is there any evidence that large doses of calcium and vitamin D coupled with alternative drugs could be as effective?
I am 70 and have always been in good health, lead an active life (bike riding, hiking) and am not taking any other medication but the omeprazole.
Thank you for your feedback
Brief Answer:
Get your Vitamin D level checked and share the report
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Alendronate sodium is a bisphosphonate drug usually used for osteoporosis. Unfortunately it is known to exacerbate gastritis and should be used with caution in a case like yours. Before I try to suggest alternatives I would need to know your Vitamin D level (if not checked already, please get it checked and upload the reports thereafter). Based on your inputs I could be able to tell whether calcium combined with Vitamin D would be as effective.
Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. Degradation of undigested food in the intestines by the intestinal bacteria would lead to the excess gas formation.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in).
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hopefully that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Get your Vitamin D level checked and share the report
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Alendronate sodium is a bisphosphonate drug usually used for osteoporosis. Unfortunately it is known to exacerbate gastritis and should be used with caution in a case like yours. Before I try to suggest alternatives I would need to know your Vitamin D level (if not checked already, please get it checked and upload the reports thereafter). Based on your inputs I could be able to tell whether calcium combined with Vitamin D would be as effective.
Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. Degradation of undigested food in the intestines by the intestinal bacteria would lead to the excess gas formation.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in).
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hopefully that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dr. Saha,
I appreciate that you gave me an explanation of the causes of gas. I am most concerned, however, with the pain/sensitivity/burning/cramps in my stomach and my doctor is waiting for me to decide if I want another endoscopy (last one was last May by which my hiatal hernia was discovered). What is puzzling to me is that between then and 2/12/17 the date of my fall (mild concussion and connective tissue damage to my right side chest area) I had NO stomach or digestive issues. I can't believe that the onset of the ulcer-like symptoms occurring within 48 hours of this accident is a coincidence.
Is it possible that the trauma of the fall activated the production of more stomach acid? Could damage to the phasia in the lower chest area possibly have any impact on the normal functioning of the stomach? Or is it most likely to be merely a coincidence? I realize that definite answers are impossible; I'm only asking about physiological/biochemical possibilities.
No, I don't have any recent vitamin D test result. My previous ones ( more than ten years ago) showed that it was low and I was at risk for osteoporosis). I am presently resuming vitamin D and calcium supplements but my understanding is that even with any treatment, I can't increase my bone density--only stop or slow down its further decline. I have been eating yogurt and taking the digestive enzymes lactospore bacillus coagulans, biooptima saccharomyces boulardii, bifidobacterium lactic and fibersol prebiotic dextrin fiber (the OTC product 'Promend") and now have daily bowel movements and minimal gas.
As you mentioned, if I do not eat every 3-4 hours I have painful burning/cramps/tenderness in my stomach which I can relieve by antacids (the calcium enhanced kinds--calcium carbonate). In addition I eat a small amount of white bread, white rice or cooked potato. Sometimes the bread will be as effective as the antacid!
What has also eased the discomfort is a small amount of watered down dry red wine with the bread or rice--- the alcohol must relax me so I feel in less discomfort.
I have three specific questions. As I indicated I must deal with the stomach issue and the osteoporosis issue
at the same time since it looks like that this stomach 'sensitivity" will most likely be a chronic thing, altering my lifestyle and pattern of eating, exercising and socializing.
First, would you explain what a anxioltic is/ how it works. I assume Prodep is a brand name. How is it different from omeprazole?
Secondly, the matter of fiber. Since the onset of my condition I have learned that my stomach seems to rebel against any of the usual types of fibers that it has been accustomed to--whole grain fiber crackers, beans, green leafy salads and other raw vegetables. I always have eaten a large variety of vegetables but now have found that I must cook my greens for over an hour in a soup in order for me not to vomit them up.
I'm still cautiously experimenting with food. To date there are only a few 'safe' foods: overcooked meat or fish with low fiber carbs, and yogart and small amounts of most hard cheeses. However , while any acidic fruits are out, vinegar--as in pickles cause no problems. (I know, vinegar is a base and neutralized acids.)
Finally, regarding the decreased bone density matter, would you please give me your feedback on SERMs such as Lasofoxifene and the hormone replacement therapy Raloxifene/'Evista'?
Again, I appreciate your knowledge and experience as a useful supplement to that of my own doctors.
I appreciate that you gave me an explanation of the causes of gas. I am most concerned, however, with the pain/sensitivity/burning/cramps in my stomach and my doctor is waiting for me to decide if I want another endoscopy (last one was last May by which my hiatal hernia was discovered). What is puzzling to me is that between then and 2/12/17 the date of my fall (mild concussion and connective tissue damage to my right side chest area) I had NO stomach or digestive issues. I can't believe that the onset of the ulcer-like symptoms occurring within 48 hours of this accident is a coincidence.
Is it possible that the trauma of the fall activated the production of more stomach acid? Could damage to the phasia in the lower chest area possibly have any impact on the normal functioning of the stomach? Or is it most likely to be merely a coincidence? I realize that definite answers are impossible; I'm only asking about physiological/biochemical possibilities.
No, I don't have any recent vitamin D test result. My previous ones ( more than ten years ago) showed that it was low and I was at risk for osteoporosis). I am presently resuming vitamin D and calcium supplements but my understanding is that even with any treatment, I can't increase my bone density--only stop or slow down its further decline. I have been eating yogurt and taking the digestive enzymes lactospore bacillus coagulans, biooptima saccharomyces boulardii, bifidobacterium lactic and fibersol prebiotic dextrin fiber (the OTC product 'Promend") and now have daily bowel movements and minimal gas.
As you mentioned, if I do not eat every 3-4 hours I have painful burning/cramps/tenderness in my stomach which I can relieve by antacids (the calcium enhanced kinds--calcium carbonate). In addition I eat a small amount of white bread, white rice or cooked potato. Sometimes the bread will be as effective as the antacid!
What has also eased the discomfort is a small amount of watered down dry red wine with the bread or rice--- the alcohol must relax me so I feel in less discomfort.
I have three specific questions. As I indicated I must deal with the stomach issue and the osteoporosis issue
at the same time since it looks like that this stomach 'sensitivity" will most likely be a chronic thing, altering my lifestyle and pattern of eating, exercising and socializing.
First, would you explain what a anxioltic is/ how it works. I assume Prodep is a brand name. How is it different from omeprazole?
Secondly, the matter of fiber. Since the onset of my condition I have learned that my stomach seems to rebel against any of the usual types of fibers that it has been accustomed to--whole grain fiber crackers, beans, green leafy salads and other raw vegetables. I always have eaten a large variety of vegetables but now have found that I must cook my greens for over an hour in a soup in order for me not to vomit them up.
I'm still cautiously experimenting with food. To date there are only a few 'safe' foods: overcooked meat or fish with low fiber carbs, and yogart and small amounts of most hard cheeses. However , while any acidic fruits are out, vinegar--as in pickles cause no problems. (I know, vinegar is a base and neutralized acids.)
Finally, regarding the decreased bone density matter, would you please give me your feedback on SERMs such as Lasofoxifene and the hormone replacement therapy Raloxifene/'Evista'?
Again, I appreciate your knowledge and experience as a useful supplement to that of my own doctors.
Brief Answer:
Questions answered in sequence
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Although the formation of ulcer or bleeding from ulcer may be a sudden development, it is essentially followed by prolonged gastric irritation and inflammation. It is like jail-break. You keep digging for really long but break free one fine morning (the jail break occurs one fine morning although there is a back history behind).
Stress triggers such happenings. The fall could have initiated a stressful condition for your body which could have acted as a trigger. The chances of being coincidential remains.
Get the Vitamin D levels tested. This is important.
It is very important to minimize the gaps between meals. Try to cut down on the red wine as much as possible.
Prodep contains fluoxetine. It reduces the effects of stress. Omeprazole is entirely a different thing. It blocks the acid secretions.
Overcooked meat or fish is bad for you and so are low fiber carbohydrates. The acid in fruits is not a cause for concern.
I cannot help you plan the hormone replacement therapy. It has to be custom made for you by your gynecologist based on multiple factors.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Questions answered in sequence
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Although the formation of ulcer or bleeding from ulcer may be a sudden development, it is essentially followed by prolonged gastric irritation and inflammation. It is like jail-break. You keep digging for really long but break free one fine morning (the jail break occurs one fine morning although there is a back history behind).
Stress triggers such happenings. The fall could have initiated a stressful condition for your body which could have acted as a trigger. The chances of being coincidential remains.
Get the Vitamin D levels tested. This is important.
It is very important to minimize the gaps between meals. Try to cut down on the red wine as much as possible.
Prodep contains fluoxetine. It reduces the effects of stress. Omeprazole is entirely a different thing. It blocks the acid secretions.
Overcooked meat or fish is bad for you and so are low fiber carbohydrates. The acid in fruits is not a cause for concern.
I cannot help you plan the hormone replacement therapy. It has to be custom made for you by your gynecologist based on multiple factors.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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