How Should It Be Used
Tums comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, and liquid to take by mouth. The amount taken per day depends on the strength. Follow the directions on your prescription or package label carefully, and ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Take Tums exactly as directed. Do not take more of it or take it more often than prescribed by your healthcare provider. When using this medicine as a dietary supplement, take it with food or following meals.
Chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before being swallowed do not swallow them whole. Drink a full glass of water after taking either the regular or chewable tablets or capsules. Some liquid forms of calcium carbonate must be shaken well before use.
Do not take Tums as an antacid for more than two weeks without talking to your healthcare provider first.
Taking Tums Every Day Might Cause Hypercalcemia
We’re taught, pretty much since day one, that the more calcium we get, the better. After all, it helps us build healthy bones and teeth, so if we’re taking Tums , then surely that’s just more good old-fashioned calcium for our bodies, right? Well … not quite. And in fact, taking Tums daily may result in us having way too much calcium — a condition known as hypercalcemia, which has a range of unpleasant effects .
Hypercalcemia is a relatively commonplace occurrence, and can be caused by a range of medical conditions, as well as simply being hydrated. Although the average blood test can usually find hypercalcemia and assist in initiating treatment, it may lead to a range of health consequences if left unchecked. Interestingly, this includes increased incidences of broken bones and lower bone strength overall.
Hypercalcemia may not reveal itself through symptoms, so it’s possible to have it and not know. However, you may experience nausea, vomiting, a higher frequency of urination, aching muscles, or tiredness as a result. The best way to tell for sure, though, is with a blood test.
Other Common Causes For Constipation And Diarrhea
Eating too much of certain foods may cause these symptoms. And, obviously, if you become ill or suffer food poisoning diarrhea is a common symptom.
Many other medicines may also cause constipation and diarrhea, especially if they directly affect your liver or colon. Statins widely prescribed to control cholesterol may cause up to 1/3 of patients severe gastrointestinal distress. The most common reason why patients stop taking statins is the chronic loose stools and stomach cramps they cause. Many doctors refuse to acknowledge that statins cause such severe side effects, so you may need to have a heart-felt conversation with your physician.
The original 2005 study on statins was repudiated by its own authors after several years, who admitted they withheld critical data about the severe gastrointestinal side effects.
Some research shows that statins are most effective in patients who have already had a heart attack or stroke, and patients should very carefully weigh the pros and cons before discontinuing these medications. Preliminary studies also suggest that early statin intervention after a Covid-19 diagnosis may shorten hospitalizations. That is because Covid-19 uses cholesterol to enter the bodys cells.
Metformin is another popular medicine which may cause constipation in some patients.
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Can Tums Help With Diarrhea
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Treatments For An Upset Stomach
Drink plenty of liquids, but do so in small amounts water is a good choice. Sports drinks and coconut water help replenish electrolytes, which can help if you experience vomiting. Try clear, carbonated, and caffeine-free beverages such as tonic water, club soda, or ginger ale. Teas containing peppermint, chamomile, or ginger may help settle an upset stomach.
Eat bland foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and white bread. Soup, broth, or bullion are good options if you do not have an appetite, or if you have trouble keeping solid food down. Avoid dairy and whole grains, as well as rich, spicy, greasy, and fatty foods.
Other things that can help treat an upset stomach:
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and caffeinated beverages.
- Over-the-counter antacids can help relieve an upset stomach.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, especially pants.
- Sit upright and avoid lying down or bending over at the waist.
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Who Should Take Tums
2. People allergic to calcium carbonate3. People with parathyroid gland disease4. People having high levels of calcium in the blood.5. People who have an intolerance to sugar6. Patients with diabetes mellitus7. Patients on diuretic medications
It is advisable for the above selective group of patients to undergo proper consultation before taking Tums. It does not mean that Tums are inhibited but its usage needs to be monitored.
Dr. Himanshi is a Homoeopathic consultant and currently working as a lecturer in Post-graduate faculty of Homeopathy, Parul University, Vadodara. Completed BHMS and MD in Homeopathy in January 2018 and also has a clinical experience of about 6 years. Personal interests include reading, spending time with family and traveling.
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Morning Sickness And Pregnancy
If you wake up nauseous from morning sickness or during pregnancy in general, youre not alone. In fact, three out of every four pregnant women will experience morning sickness. Your chances go up if you have a history of migraine pain or if your stomach has been upset during previous pregnancies. If you are pregnant with twins, your odds of morning sickness increase even more.
Morning sickness pregnancy symptoms include nausea and vomiting, which may be triggered by certain smells, exposure to heat or by eating spicy foods.
One way to avoid morning sickness while pregnant is to frequently eat small meals. This allows your system time to digest food, but leaves relatively little food in your stomach at any given time. Always remember to drink plenty of fluids. Getting a breath of fresh air may be a helpful remedy as well. Some say eating watermelon and drinking lemonade can be effective home remedies for pregnant womenand if that suits your cravings, go for it!
Do Tums Help With Nausea
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.
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Can Tums Be Used To Cure Diarrhea
Tums can be used in dogs to treat mild discomfort from stomach issues, heartburn, and diarrhea. The active ingredient in Tums, calcium carbonate, reduces excessive stomach acid in humans who take it. Some humans use Tums as a calcium supplement, but this is not a good idea for dogs.
What medications interact with TUMS?
Calcium can bind, or chelate, to many different medications, interfering with their absorption. Notable examples of drugs that Tums interact with are ciprofloxacin and levothyroxine. Fortunately, the calcium in Tums will not bind with Benadryl or affect absorption.
Is it bad to take TUMS every day?
Yes , over-the-counter antacid pills arent harmfulthey can help reduce acid in your stomach and help you feel better when youve encountered a meal that doesnt agree with you. They also contain calcium, so thats great too. But, too much antacid can have backfiring effects for health.
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
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Patient Education Is Critical To Good Health Care
Your health care specialist may recommend that you attend a local class about your chronic conditions. You should make an effort to take such classes, as they are taught by professionals who understand your disease and conditions very well.
You can read about medications and diseases on the Internet, but be wary of making important decisions by yourself. While you should learn what you can about the medications doctors prescribe, remember that statistics blur all the facts together. The statistics may be accurate but they tell a very simplified, confusing story.
Ask questions. Take notes. Ask for whatever literature your healthcare provider can give you. Read it and save it for future reference.
When you pick up your medicines at the pharmacy, even OTC medicines, ask a pharmacist what common side effects you should watch out for. Ask what you should do if you experience them.
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If You Take Tums Every Day You Might Experience Constipation
While Tums may work wonders on your stomach, taking them every day might have a less-than-ideal effect on your bowel movements. Tums and other antacids contain active ingredients that work to neutralize stomach acid, and Tums use calcium to help reduce stomach upsets, says Harvard Health Publishing. Unfortunately, this may end up causing constipation, which in turn means that you may end up experiencing an entirely different kind of belly pain.
Remember that Tums aren’t the only antacids that contain calcium: Caltrate and Rolaids are also calcium-based medications that may result in difficulty passing stools. Aluminum-based antacids, or combined aluminum and calcium-based antacids like Gaviscon, can also see you experiencing issues on the toilet with constipation, whereas magnesium-based antacids like Mylanta and Maalox may promote, conversely, diarrhea. We know, it’s a minefield out there! The best thing to do, however, is to keep track of your bowel’s reaction to taking Tums. If you’re taking it daily and you notice a significant change in your movements, pause and consult a doctor.
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Low Acidity Causes Nutrient Malabsorption
Since an alkaline stomach doesn’t digest food properly, the body doesn’t absorb all of the nutrients in that food. What this means is that your body doesn’t get the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to function properly. Electrolytes are one of many essential minerals for the proper functioning of the body. Without good electrolyte levels, you may experience heart arrhythmias, dehydration, and other symptoms.
Low acidity also decreases your ability to breakdown and absorb proteins which would normally turn into amino acids. These amino acids are converted into neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. This leaves your brain prone to mood disorders including depression and anxiety.
Does Drinking Water Help With Acid Reflux
Drinking water during the later stages of digestion can reduce acidity and GERD symptoms. Often, there are pockets of high acidity, between a pH or 1 and 2, just below the esophagus. By drinking tap or filtered water a little while after a meal, you can dilute the acid there, which can result in less heartburn.
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Taking Tums Every Day Might Interact With Other Meds You’re Taking
While Tums and other antacid medications are widely available over the counter, that doesn’t mean you should take them without any consideration of other factors.
If you’re taking Tums daily, it’s important to be aware of any interactions with drugs you might already be taking. This can often be down to the calcium levels in Tums, which may inhibit or change the effects of other medications, WebMD states. Certain antibiotics, for example, may be rendered less effective by the calcium carbonate from Tums, reducing their impact. One example is doxycycline, a common antibiotic used to treat conditions as wide-ranging as acne and malaria .
Other medications like estramustine may also be impacted by the persistent presence of calcium carbonate provided via Tums. Before taking Tums, it’s vital to check the labels of any medications you might already be taking. On the flip side, if you’re starting a new treatment of medicine, make sure you ask your pharmacist or doctor about potential interactions.
Taking Tums Every Day Might Increase Your Chance Of Kidney Stones
If you ever have kidney stones, you’ll likely know pretty fast. While some kidney stones can pass undetected, these hard deposits, formed by collections of waste material passing through your kidneys, can often be incredibly painful, particularly when passed through urinating . And if you’re in the habit of taking Tums every day, you may increase your chances of developing kidney stones, according to WebMD. Tums can boost your calcium levels, contributing to the build-up of kidney stones in your organs .
Luckily, most kidney stones will pass without the need for significant treatment or leaving permanent damage to the body, says the Mayo Clinic — so if you have them, there’s usually no need for concern. Despite this, it’s important to keep an eye on your medication intake as well as your diet to reduce the likelihood of developing them. In addition to minimizing the intake of calcium-containing medications like Tums, it’s also a good idea to cut back on foods containing oxalates, like spinach, almonds, soy products, and potatoes . If your kidney stones are accompanied by significant pain or other symptoms like blood in your urine or difficulty when going to the toilet, consult a trained medical professional.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Overusing Antacids
Linstedt: Antacids are generally safe, and side effects are rare if you take them appropriately. But overuse or misuse can sometimes cause unwanted and even serious side effects. In rare cases, you could experience constipation, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
One potential downside of long-term heavy use is that the medication could put you at an increased risk for osteoporosis. Although rare, antacids with aluminum may deplete your calcium levels, which could cause your bones to become brittle.
At the same time, antacids with calcium carbonate could have the opposite effect. They could elevate your calcium levels, which could lead to the development of kidney stones and kidney failure. Again, this is a rare side effect. But talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
What Are Antacids And How Do They Work
Antacids are a class of drugs used to treat conditions caused by the acid that is produced by the stomach. The stomach naturally secretes an acid called hydrochloric acid that helps to break down proteins. This acid causes the contents of the stomach to be acidic in nature, with a pH level of 2 or 3 when acid secretion is active. The stomach, duodenum, and esophagus are protected from acid by several protective mechanisms. When there is too much acid or protective mechanisms are inadequate, the lining of the stomach, duodenum or esophagus may become damaged by the acid, giving rise to inflammation and ulcerations and their various gastrointestinal symptoms such as
Antacids reduce acidity by neutralizing acid, reducing the acidity in the stomach, and reducing the amount of acid that is refluxed into the esophagus or emptied into the duodenum. Antacids also work by inhibiting the activity of pepsin, a digestive enzyme produced in the stomach that is active only in an acid environment and, like acid, is believed to be injurious to the lining of the stomach, duodenum, and esophagus.
It is important to note that when antacids are taken on an empty stomach they provide acid reduction for 20 to 40 minutes only because the antacid is rapidly emptied into the duodenum.
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How To Avoid Side Effects Of Tums
Before Taking Tums
Make sure you tell your doctor about the following health conditions before taking this supplement:
- Make sure you are not allergic to any ingredient in Tums as labeled on the package
- Make sure you dont have high calcium level in your blood
- If you are planning to get pregnant, are pregnant or are breastfeeding, be sure to talk to the doctor
- If you have heart problems, appendicitis, parathyroid problems, hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, kidney problems, stomach, bowel problems or inflammatory problems
Follow the Instructions and Directions
Follow any and all directions listed on the packaging and be sure to have a look at the ingredients and supplement content. For daily doses over 600 milligrams, you can divide your dose and take it throughout the day for optimum absorption. If youve been ordered by a doctor to follow a special diet and Tums regimen, be sure to follow it. Do not add other supplements into the mix unless instructed by your doctor.
Tips for Different Types of Tums
- Chewable tablets. If youre using chewable tablets be sure that you chew them well before swallowing.
- Effervescent tablets. For the tablets that dissolve in water, be sure the tablet has fully dissolved before you drink the glass of water. These effervescent tablets are not meant to be chewed or swallowed whole.
- Liquid or powder products must be properly measured using a dose-measuring spoon. For liquid products, be sure to shake the bottles well before each dose.