Can Too Much Simethicone Cause Constipation
Simethicone has no known side effects, so it should not cause constipation. However, FDA reports as of May 2018 show that only 4.13% of individuals experienced constipation while taking simethicone.
People who experienced the highest cases of constipation were women and those ages 30 or older. It is important to note that some of these users were taking other medications too such as Humira, Miralax, Prilosec, and others.
Their constipation could be the result of the combination of drugs, or it is possible the other medication caused constipation.
Things You Should Never Do When Youre Constipated
Theyll only make your clogged pipes worse.
We all have those days when its so tough to have a bowel movement that even the throes of childbirth look like a cakewalk. In fact, it happens more often than you think: According to the Womens Health Foundation, more than 4 million Americans suffer from frequent constipation. And as luck would have it, women are three times more likely to get blocked up than men. Some doctors speculate its because our colons are slightly longer, adding more twists and turnsand potential roadblocksto our digestive tracts.
But while the bloating and abdominal pain associated with a gridlocked gut may be common, the symptoms arent something you should simply flush down the drain. Very severe constipation is not only very uncomfortable, but it can also lead to blockage of your colon , which then may require more invasive treatment than laxatives alone, says Lee Ann Chen, M.D., a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. Translation: The last thing you want to do when theres a kink in your pipes is partake in anything that might plug you up even more. To help move things along when you just cant go, make it a point to avoid these poop-blocking behaviors:
Try It Steps To Avoid Gas Pain
Since constipation causes gas and cramping, you should try to exercise regularly, stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet with plenty of fiber, Veloso says.Here are some other tips:
- Dont drink with a straw.
- Choose noncarbonated beverages.
- If your symptoms persist, see your doctor to rule out food sensitivities, and other conditions.
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How Much To Take
Doses vary depending on the type of medicine, the brand and the amount of simeticone in it. The dose is lower for babies.
For wind, the usual dose is between 100mg and 250mg. You can take the medicine as required, up to 3 or 4 times a day. Its usually taken after meals and at bedtime.
For colic in babies, the usual dose is between 20mg and 40mg, given before each feed, up to 6 times a day.
What Is Gas And Bloating
Gas in your stomach and digestive system is part of the normal process of digestion. Getting rid of excess gas, either by burping or passing gas , is also normal. Stomach pain due to gas may occur if gas is trapped or not moving well through your digestive system.
Bloating is a sensation of having a full stomach, often due to a gas problem.1,2 Most of us have experienced the bloated stomach, when the tummy is stretched, puffy and uncomfortable3. Eating a lot of salty food and carbohydrates can make you feel bloated, as can eating too fast or drinking a lot of fizzy drinks.4
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What Is The Difference Between Brand Name And Generic
Simethicone is the generic term for the antigas compound. Common name brand names, according to Medline Plus, include:
- Alka-Seltzer® Anti-Gas
- Flatulex® Drops
- Gas Aide®
This small list only shows a few of the brand name simethicone products. Whether taking the generic or brand name, the effect should be the same.
Gas Pain: When To See A Doctor
Veloso says to be on the lookout for abdominal pain and bloating that persists even after constipation improves.
You may have celiac disease or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth , which can cause these symptoms and can occur with either constipation or diarrhea. You may also have irritable bowel syndrome or another problem, she notes.
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Cautions With Other Medicines
Simeticone is generally safe to take with other medicines. However, talk to a doctor or pharmacist before you use simeticone if you are taking:
- levothyroxine for thyroid problems. Simeticone might stop levothyroxine being absorbed properly, meaning it will not work as well.
If the medicine contains other ingredients with simeticone, read the leaflet or talk to a doctor or pharmacist to make sure it is suitable to take with other medicines.
Taking simeticone with herbal supplements
There are no known problems with taking herbal remedies and supplements with simeticone.
How To Get Rid Of Gas Pain
If youve ever experienced waves of sharp pain in your belly along with the feeling that your waistline is inflating like a balloon, you might be experiencing bloating and cramps due to intestinal gas.
Everyone gets gas on occasion. Its a natural byproduct of the bacteria in your intestines doing their job and breaking down the fibers, sugars and starches in the food you eat. Though gas pain is usually nothing serious, the discomfort can be intense.
Intestinal gas and its discomfort are likely to resolve on their own. Burping or passing gas through the rectum is usually enough to ease your physical discomfort.
Johns Hopkins gastroenterologist Hazel Marie Galon Veloso provides some perspective on bloating and gas cramps, including when to see a doctor.
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Include Essential Oils In The Diet
Essential oils come with their own sets of benefits. Most importantly these oils play an important role in maintaining and supporting a very healthy digestive system. Using pure, therapeutic grade essential oils is recommended for treating constipation. Some oils in this category include tarragon oil, ginger oil, peppermint oil, fennel oil, anise seed oil etc.
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What Health Precautions Should I Take With This Medication
According to Lahey Hospital, you should always tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and nonprescription drugs that you take. This does include vitamins, too.
They also need to be aware of allergies you may have to simethicone or any other drug. For women, notify your doctor if you are breastfeeding, pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
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Best Tea: Traditional Medicinals Organic Gas Relief Digestive Tea
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No proven effectiveness
Another natural gas relief option is drinking a carefully curated herbal tea. These tea bags from Traditional Medicinals combine the powers of chamomile and peppermint, two known gas-relieving herbs, to help soothe gas-related bloating and discomfort. The formula also includes caraway fruit, coriander fruit, and lemon balm leaf to further soothe the stomach. Its aromatic and minty with subtle notes of spice, calming your senses as you bring pointed relief to your digestive system.
And unlike the other options on this list, you can enjoy as much tea as you like without fear of overdoing it with certain pharmaceuticals. You also help to rehydrate your body, which can be beneficial in the fight against bloating as well.
Active Ingredients: Chamomile and peppermint | Dose: Drink tea as often as needed | Uses: To relieve symptoms of gas and bloating
Studies on digestive and herbal teas are still in the works. Currently, there isnt enough evidence to support the use of tea for gas relief. Dr. Jessica Nouhavandi, pharmacist
Replace Sodas With Water
Fizzy, carbonated drinks contain gas that can build up in the stomach. The carbon dioxide that makes soda and similar beverages fizzy can also cause bubbling and bloating in the stomach.
Sugars or artificial sweeteners in the diet can also cause gas and bloating. Drinking water eliminates these issues and helps to treat constipation as well.
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How To Take It
Infant colic drops
Shake the bottle. Measure the dose using the dropper or syringe provided and give to your baby right away.
Some brands can be added to your babys bottle of milk. Check the leaflet or ask your health visitor or pharmacist if youre not sure.
Liquid
Shake the bottle. Measure the correct dose using a syringe, medicine spoon, or small measuring cup. Ask a pharmacist for one.
Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.
Tablets, capsules and gel capsules
Swallow these whole with some water.
Chewable tablets
Chew the tablets before swallowing. You can have a drink of water afterwards if you like.
Reasons For Your Sluggish Digestion
Overeating: You know, even one meal where you overeat can leave you feeling miserable, but constantly overeating can have long-term negative effects on your digestion. For example, when you overeat, your stomach is unable to produce enough acid to break down food, meaning it is not properly digested. Furthermore, large portions of food put added pressure on the stomach, which contributes to heartburn and indigestion.
The key here is to practice portion control and avoid eating too much at once.
Improperly chewing: Chewing is the first part of the digestion process. When we chew, we break down food into smaller bits so that it can be better digested. Additionally, saliva contains essential enzymes to assist the digestive process. If we do not take the time to properly chew our food, enabling the important enzymes in saliva to go to work, the digestive system has to work harder. This leads to cramps, gas, and constipation.
Its important that you are mindful when eating. Some experts suggest counting your chews as a means to chewing more and eating slower. Other tips include resting your fork down while eating, or eating with your less dominant hand so you put less food in your mouth.
Inadequate fiber consumption: It is known that Americans are not consuming enough fiber, and many face digestive problems because of it. Consuming adequate amounts of soluble fiber can help ease digestion and rid yourself of those discomforting symptoms.
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Natural And Other Remedies For Gas
Two products on the market can help with food-related gas and bloating. Both products are packaged forms of the enzymes needed to break down the problematic carbohydrates. Lactase, found in products such as Dairy Ease and Lactaid, can be taken with dairy foods to help break down lactose and lessen gas. Beano helps digest the indigestible carbohydrate in beans and other gas-producing vegetables.
Natural remedies for gas include:
- Peppermint tea
Get More Active Every Day
Exercise helps your body move stool and gas out of the colon and may make bowel movements more regular. Exercise also releases extra sodium from the body through sweating, which can help to relieve water retention.
It is vital to drink plenty of water before and after exercising to stay hydrated, as dehydration can make constipation worse.
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How Does Simethicone Work In Infants
Simethicone provides the same gas-relieving effects for infants as it does for adults. The process is much the same, too. The simethicone decreases surface tension or coalesces gas bubbles for easier passing.
According to Dr. Kara Fine, simethicone is generally safe for babies. The compound could potentially lead to loose bowels, but this is uncommon. It is safe to give a baby 20 mg of simethicone up to four times a day.
They can safely take the compound daily if needed. Always make sure that baby gas drops do not contain any benzoic acid or sodium benzoate. These compounds are harmful to babies in large amounts.
Parents should be mindful that while simethicone will help with fussiness from gas, it is not likely to treat colic.
Colic is a condition in which a healthy baby cries for at least three hours a day, three times a week for longer than three weeks.
How Should I Take Gas
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not take more of this medicine than directed.
Gas-X works best if you take it after meals and at bedtime.
You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device .
Gas-X liquid drops can be mixed with water, baby formula, or other liquids to make swallowing easier for an infant or child.
Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving Gas-X to a child. Call your doctor if the childâs gas symptoms do not improve after treatment with this medicine.
You may need to follow a special diet or increase your exercise while using Gas-X. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian. Learn about the foods to eat or avoid to help control your condition.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not allow the liquid form of this medicine to freeze.
- Save up to 80% on your prescriptions.
- Accepted at over 65,000 pharmacies.
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Rule Out Medical Conditions
In some cases, bloating may result from a medical condition. To get rid of this bloating, a person may need help from a doctor to diagnose and manage their condition.
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, may cause people to experience bloating. Irritable bowel syndrome , can also cause this symptom.
Gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis and ovarian cysts, can also cause pain, swelling, and feelings of bloating in the abdominal area.
People with these symptoms should discuss them with a doctor, who will also want to know about any relevant family medical history and other medical conditions. The doctor may order diagnostic tests to look for any problems. These may include an X-ray, ultrasound, colonoscopy, or blood tests.
Eat At Regular Intervals
Many people experience bloating directly after a big meal. It is possible to avoid this by eating several smaller meals each day, which can help to keep the digestive system moving.
Swallowing food quickly can introduce air into the digestive tract. Drinking from a straw can also lead to people swallowing more air, which in turn leads to gas and bloating. People who have bloating should avoid using straws if possible and try eating slowly to avoid swallowing air during meals.
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Foods To Eat With Gas
Dealing with digestive issues takes a commitment and discipline to say the least. Seeing the amount of foods and food groups youll have to abstain from when going through bouts of gas, gluten intolerance, IBS, lactose intolerance, bloating, diarrhea and constipation will surely make most people ask But what can I eat?. Along with taking Gas-X Extra Strength, there are many foods that are part of the same food groups which arent considered to be helpful in relieving and preventing digestive issues going forward.
These are most of the foods you can eat that will help treat digestive issues along with prevent it in future as well: vegetables like artichokes, zucchini, asparagus, avocado, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cucumber, olives and cabbage, probiotic yogurts and kefir, meats like eggs, beef, chicken, turkey and lamb, fish like herring, wild salmon and sardines, nuts like almonds, coconut meat, walnuts, hazelnuts and flax seed.
Also herbs and spices like turmeric, thyme, rosemary, basil, cloves, oregano and ginger, oils like coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil and flax oil, beverages like chicory root coffee, cinnamon tea, peppermint tea, ginger tea, and licorice and sweeteners like stevia and xylitol.
Home Remedies That Help You Combat Stomach Gas:
Ginger: It is one of the well-known Ayurvedic solutions for gas problems. Sipping on ginger tea is beneficial, as ginger is known to be useful in the breaking up and expelling of intestinal gas.
Herbs: Many of the herbs help in the expulsion of gas and reduce bloating and distension. Some of the useful carminative herbs are ginger, cinnamon, fennel, basil and cumin.
Yogurt and Buttermilk: The use of probiotics like yogurt and buttermilk also helps in relieving gas and supports digestion. Probiotics are substances that contain good bacteria which are the natural inhabitants of our gut and are responsible for maintenance of its health.
Aloe Vera Juice: Aloe vera juice is a great home remedy for treating gas and associated pain significantly.
Papaya: Papaya is not only rich in anti-oxidants but also papain, an enzyme that aids the digestion of dietary proteins and prevents the formation of excessive gas in the stomach.
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Hemorrhoidssimple Solutions Can Offer Relief
When it comes to GI problems, hemorrhoidsswollen blood vessels in the lower wall of the rectum and anuscan be uncomfortable, causing itching, rectal bleeding, and pain. But hemorrhoids, in and of themselves, are actually a part of everyones normal anatomy and at baseline we dont even know they are there, says Anne Mongiu, MD, PhD, a Yale Medicine colorectal surgeon.
However, pressure on the pelvis from heavy lifting, long periods spent sitting on the toilet, difficult-to-pass bowel movements, excessive straining during childbirth, or just from being pregnant can cause them to enlarge dramatically and cause symptoms.
External hemorrhoids often feel like large balls or grapes outside of the anus. They usually dont bleed, but are very tender and can make sitting very difficult, says Dr. Mongiu. Internal hemorrhoids usually cause painless bleeding, and can sometimes be felt as soft tissue that may stick out from the anus after a bowel movement. But they most often return to the rectum on their own or with a small push.
You shouldnt be sitting there reading text messages because it takes so long. If you have to throw some Miralax in your coffee, then do that, too, says Anne Mongiu, MD, PhD, a Yale Medicine colorectal surgeon.
What Causes Gas & Bloating
There are two main causes of gas in the digestive tract .
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