• You have a disease that would be worsened by constipation.
• You have bloody diarrhea or a fever above 101° F.
• Your diarrhea could be caused by bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, or shigella.
• You have been taking broad-spectrum antibiotics.
• You have acute ulcerative colitis.
Loperamide can cause your colon to become very distended and unable to do its job properly.
Use with caution if you have kidney problems.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Bismatrol, Pepto-Bismol)
What Does It Do in the Body? It suppresses secretions into the intestines, decreases inflammation, and has some antimicrobial effects.
What Is It Used For? Treatment of diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, and abdominal cramps. It is also used with antibiotics to treat H. pylori infection.
What Are the Possible Side Effects? Severe constipation can occur in debilitated people and infants. Feces may temporarily be gray or black.
CAUTION!
Think Twice About Taking This Drug If . . .
• Diarrhea is accompanied by high fever or continues for more than two days.
• Constipation is not relieved with laxatives.
• There is rectal bleeding, muscle cramps, weakness, or dizziness. Call your health professional.
• You are on a salt-restricted diet. Look for low-sodium versions of these antidiarrheal drugs.
• You have congestive heart failure or kidney disease. Dangerous electrolyte imbalances can occur.
• Check with your doctor before taking this drug if you are taking blood thinners.
Drugs for Constipation
Drugs for constipation fall into several categories, all with different mechanisms of action for bringing about a bowel movement. Some are taken orally, while others can be used as suppositories or enemas. Any of these laxatives can result in dependency if used for too long. Your digestive system essentially “forgets” how to have a bowel movement without them. Constipation drugs include saline laxatives, irritants/stimulants, bulk-producing laxatives, lubricants, and surfactants.
Examples of Saline Laxatives
Epsom salts
Milk of magnesia
Magnesium citrate
Sodium phosphates (Fleet Phospho-Soda)
What Do They Do in the Body? Draw water and electrolytes into the intestines to make feces softer.
What Are the Possible Side Effects? These drugs may alter the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance.
What Else to Do When Taking These Drugs. Drink plenty of water, and use a mineral supplement containing magnesium and potassium.
Examples of Irritants/Stimulants
Cascara sagrada
Senna (Ex-Lax, Senolax, Senokot, Senexon)
Bisacodyl (Bisco-Lax, Evac-U-Gen, Dulcolax, Dulcagen, Fleet bisacoydl, Modane, Feen-a-mint)
Castor oil
What Do They Do in the Body? Stimulate the intestinal walls to move feces through the intestinal tract. They also alter water and electrolyte secretion into the gut. Evacuation is rapid and complete, so these drugs are often used before surgery or in very severe cases of constipation.
What Are the Possible Side Effects? Too-frequent use results in loss of electrolytes (especially potassium) and dehydration; the colon may become unable to contract on its own. Cascara sagrada and senna can discolor feces.
Examples of Bulk-Producing Laxatives
Methylcellulose (Citrucel, Unifiber)
Psyllium (Fiberall, Genfiber, Hydrocil, Konsyl, Maalox Daily Fiber, Metamucil, Mylanta Natural Fiber, Reguloid, Serutan, Syllact, Modane Bulk, V-Lax)
Polycarbophil (FiberCon, Equalactin, Mitrolan, FiberNorm, Fiber-Lax)
Malt soup extract (Maltsupex)
What Do They Do in the Body? These drugs are basically fiber, which holds water in feces to make them softer and easier to evacuate, and gives them bulk.
What Are They Used For? Psyllium is useful in IBS, spastic colon, and hemorrhoids. LDL cholesterol can be lowered up to 20 percent with psyllium.
Polycarbophil also is used to treat IBS and diverticulosis.
What Are the Possible Side Effects? Bulkforming agents are the safest method to use for relief of constipation. Excessive bowel activity (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting), anal irritation, bloating, flatulence, abdominal cramping, weakness, dizziness, fainting, sweating, and palpitations happen rarely.
Esophageal, stomach, small intestinal, and rectal obstruction have been reported with bulk laxatives. Be sure to take them with plenty of water.
Examples of Lubricants
Castor oil (Fleet Flavored Castor Oil, Purge, Neoloid)
Mineral oil (Milkinol)
What Do They Do in the Body? These oils don’t allow water from the feces to be absorbed back into the body through the walls of the colon, and thus prevent the bowel contents from drying out.
What Are the Possible Side Effects? Large doses of mineral oil can cause leakage from the anus, anal itching, irritation, hemorrhoids, and general anal discomfort.
What Are the Interactions with Food? Lubricants may decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, and E.
Examples of Surfactants
Docusate (Dialose, Regutol, Colace, Disonate, DOK, DOS Softgel, Regulax, Dioeze, Correctol, Sulfalax Calcium, Diocto-K)
What Do They Do in the Body? Surfactants help mix fats with the contents of the colon, which makes stools softer and bowel movements easier.
What Are They Used For? Treatment of diarrhea or in conditions such as anal fissure or hemorrhoids where passing firm stool is painful.
Miscellaneous Laxatives
Glycerin suppositories draw extra water into the colon and cause slight irritation of the colon walls, stimulating contractions.
Lactulose (Chronulac, Constilac, Duphalac) brings more water and electrolytes into the colon. Diabetics shouldn’t use lactulose. It can cause flatulence, belching, abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting.
Natural Alternatives for Treating Diarrhea
Although it’s uncomfortable and inconvenient to have diarrhea, your best bet is to let nature take its course. Allow your body to cleanse itself unless the diarrhea is severe or lasts for more than a day or two. Drink plenty of water while you have diarrhea. You can try a sports drink that contains replacement electrolytes as long as it’s not too high in sugar. Stay away from caffeine, soft drinks, and sugary foods. As soon as you feel well enough, eat foods such as rice, cereal, bananas, and potatoes, which are rich in carbohydrates and gentle on your stomach.
If you have chronic diarrhea, try to figure out whether foods or drugs are causing it. Heartburn drugs such as H2 blockers (Tagamet, Zantac) and proton pump inhibitors (Nexium, Prilosec) can cause diarrhea. Lactose intolerance, an allergy to milk sugars, can cause diarrhea when dairy products are eaten.
Use probiotics or yogurt to help get your body back into balance after a bout of diarrhea. A mineral supplement containing magnesium and potassium will restore your body’s depleted electrolyte stores.
Natural Alternatives to Ulcer Drugs
The bacteria H. pylori is found in 90 percent of duodenal ulcer and 70 percent of stomach ulcer patients. This bacteria increases your risk of insufficient acid secretion (atrophic gastritis), ulcer, and stomach cancer. Your doctor can give you a test in his or her office to find out if this bug is at the root of your problem. If it is, you’ll be put on a course of antibiotics and a bismuth preparation (you know it as Pepto-Bismol) for a week. This is one instance in which conventional medicines may be your best bet. Quick eradication of H. pylori is important for healing of ulcers. There are some herbal remedies you can try first, however, if you want to avoid antibiotics.
Licorice extract (deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL) is a wonderful herbal healing aid for ulcers. It increases the production of protective mucus in the stomach. Use 300 mg four to six times a day. Unripe banana also has antiulcer effects, as do the herbs slippery elm (Ulmu
s fulva; take 200 mg four to six times a day), marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis; take 200 mg four to six times a day), and the juice of raw cabbage. You can buy extract of unripe plantain banana (Musa paradisiaca); take 150 mg four to six times a day.
If you have any type of ulcer, be sure to eliminate gastrointestinal irritants such as tobacco, NSAIDs, coffee, and alcohol.
Once your ulcer has healed, try taking steps to enhance your body’s secretion of digestive acids and enzymes to prevent a recurrence.
Natural Alternatives for Treating Heartburn and Insufficient Acid Secretion
If you have chronic heartburn, you probably know exactly what triggers it. If you don’t, here are the most common culprits: overeating, or too much fat or fried food; processed meats with nitrates or nitrites in them; too much sugar, alcohol, chocolate, drugs, or stress; clothes that fit tightly around the waist; obesity; and pregnancy. Obesity, tight clothes, and pregnancy put excess pressure on the esophageal muscle. Pregnancy also stimulates the release of hormones that relax the muscles so they will stretch to accommodate the growing baby—the esophagus muscles relax along with all the other ones.
Eating a balanced diet of unprocessed, organic whole foods is your foundation for a healthy stomach. Eat a green salad or raw vegetables at least once a day. Sprouted legumes and seeds are excellent sources of enzymes. Chew your food thoroughly.
Drinking cold or hot liquids with meals decreases stomach acid production. To help increase stomach acid, you can drink a glass of water at room temperature a half-hour before eating. If that doesn’t help, you can add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. If neither of those solutions work, try taking a betaine hydrochlo-ride (HCl) supplement with your meal. Follow the directions on the bottle, starting with the smallest dose and increasing it if needed. Do not take HCl supplements when you have an ulcer. Since stomach acid production declines as we age, HCl supplementation can be a good antiaging strategy.
Drugs that Can Cause Heartburn
Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause or aggravate heartburn. Drugs that specifically relax the esophageal sphincter muscle, allowing stomach acid to reflux up, include anticholinergics (such as drugs to treat Parkinson’s), calcium channel blockers (heart disease drugs), nicotine, and beta-blockers (to lower blood pressure and prevent spasms in the heart muscle).
Here is a list of other common offenders:
Antacids (can cause acid rebound and dependency)
Antibiotics
Antidepressants (fluoxetine, buspirone)
Asthma drugs (aminophylline, theophylline)
Chemotherapy drugs
Corticosteroids (prednisone)
Drugs that affect the heart and blood vessels, including drugs for lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, diuretics, and beta-blockers
Painkillers and narcotics (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, codeine, piroxicam, indomethacin)
Synthetic estrogens and progestins (Premarin, Provera)
Tranquilizers and barbiturates
Ulcer drugs (sulfasalazine, sucralfate, misoprostol)
Natural heartburn therapies include deglycyrrhizinated licorice extract, or DGL. Try one or two 380-mg tablets chewed and swallowed on an empty stomach, three to four times a day. A glass of water at room temperature, raw cabbage or potato juice, or herbal teas such as fenugreek, slippery elm, comfrey, licorice, and meadowsweet (lukewarm, no lemon) can bring quick relief. Fresh papaya or banana can help as well.
If you do need to lower your stomach acidity, you can use a form of organic sulfur called methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in supplement form, 1,000 mg daily. Don’t eat a lot of fat, either, as fat slows the emptying of the stomach. Use alcohol and chocolate in moderation. Eat several small meals a day so you don’t overeat at any one meal. Don’t eat on the run or right before exercising. Don’t lie down after eating. Reduce stress with exercise and meditation.
Natural Alternatives for Constipation
Bulk laxatives such as psyllium are your best bet for safe, quick relief. Once you’re moving again, it’s up to you to change your habits to prevent a recurrence. Here are some guidelines to follow to avoid constipation:
Ten Good Reasons to Throw Away Your Antacids
1. They can cause rebound acid.
2. They block action of aspirin.
3. They block action of antibiotics.
4. They block action of quinidine.
5. They decrease iron and calcium absorption.
6. Metoclopramide (Reglan, Maxolon) increases absorption of alcohol.
7. An overly alkaline environment causes imbalances of intestinal flora, stresses kidneys, and causes urinary tract infections.
8. Aluminum may be connected to Alzheimer’s disease and slows digestion.
9. They may cause diarrhea or constipation.
10. They have high sodium content.
• One of the simplest and most effective things you can do to banish constipation is to drink more water. If you aren’t getting enough water, your stools will be hard and dry, and straining to pass them can result in hemorrhoids or anal tears and bleeding.
• Eat more fiber. Fresh vegetables are full of fiber, as are fruit, legumes, and whole grains. These foods should make up a generous portion of your diet. Use extra bran or nibble on prunes if you don’t feel your bowels are moving regularly and easily. (If you have IBS, bran might not be the best solution for you, as it tends to worsen bloating and gas for people with this problem.)
• If you’re having trouble getting enough fiber in your diet, use psyllium in the morning before breakfast. Use 1 to 3 teaspoons in at least 8 ounces of water or juice. Drink it immediately after you stir in the psyllium.
• Go when the urge strikes you. If you habitually hold back bowel movements, constipation can result.
• Get some exercise. Moving your whole body keeps things moving in the digestive tract.
• Check your medicine cabinet for drugs that cause constipation. Diuretics, painkillers, tranquilizers, antidepressants, antihistamines, narcotics, and decongestants are potential culprits. The overuse of over-the-counter laxatives can cause dependency, as the colon is cleaned out so completely with one use that it may take a couple of days for another bowel movement to happen naturally. If you don’t realize this, you might take another dose too soon, thinking that you are constipated again. Damage to the lining of the large intestine and loss of the bowel’s ability to do the work of moving the bowel contents often result from overuse of laxatives.
• Sitting for hours on planes or in cars, changes in quality of water and food, and change from your ordinary routine can make you “irregular.” When you travel, pack natural remedies such as prunes, psyllium, or bran.
• Herbal remedies that contain cascara sagrada or senna stimulate contractions in the large intestine and rectum, moving the contents of the bowel. Don’t use them more than once in a while, because you can quickly develop a dependency on them.
• Supplementation of magnesium at 600 to 900 mg a day helps relieve constipation by drawing water into the contents of the large intestine and by relaxing irritated, constricted intestinal walls. Many vegetables are good sources of magnesium, and herbs such as gotu kola, skullcap, horsetail, alfalfa, nettle, hawthorn berry, and wild oat seed are also rich in this essential mineral.
• If you’re on a very low-fat diet, you may want to try adding a tablespoon of olive or avocado oil a day. A little extra oil may be what’s needed to make transit through the bowel smooth and easy.
• Probiotic supplements containing acidophilus should help with constipation and gas. Use a refrigerated supplement from your health food store.
• Green foods such as spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass juice, or even liquid chlorophyll added to water can help get bowels moving. Here’s an added benefit: chlorophyll, which is found abundantly in all green foods (it’s what makes them green), has a deodorizing effect in the large intestine.
• If you’re cons
tipated and really uncomfortable and don’t feel like swallowing anything, try an Epsom salts bath. You can buy Epsom salts (magnesium salts) in your local market or drugstore. Dump an entire box into a bath, sit in it for 20 minutes, and within a couple of hours you’ll have a bowel movement.
Beat IBS and Treat Food Allergies Naturally
Identification and treatment of food allergies is the most important step you can take to cure yourself of IBS. How do you know whether you have food allergies? There is some controversy about this subject, but let’s keep it simple. Think of negative reactions to foods as either immediate or delayed. If you respond to a food by sneezing, itching, wheezing, breaking out in hives, or by experiencing watering and itchy eyes, a runny nose, or even a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis (this involves sudden swelling of the throat that can close off the airway), you have an immediate allergy to that food. Most of the immediate allergic reactions to foods happen in children and are outgrown. Strawberries, seafood, beans, and milk products are the most common culprits.
Delayed allergies are much more difficult to pinpoint. Because symptoms may not occur until days after the food is eaten, the exact cause is not always obvious. Symptoms can include headache, other allergies such as hay fever, stiff and achy joints, indigestion, and fatigue. If allowed to progress, food allergy can lead to impaired digestion and general symptoms of malnutrition, including dry skin, dull hair, and increased susceptibility to illness. Most problems caused by food allergies aren’t quite serious enough to stop people from getting through their days, but they have little energy and don’t look healthy.
Digestive disturbances, rashes, minor aches and pains, and vague health problems that can’t be attributed to anything specific are common complaints of those with delayed food allergies. These unfortunate individuals may simply decide that it’s an inevitable part of growing older. Don’t let yourself fall into this way of thinking! The difference between feeling like you’re sick all the time and feeling great might be one or two of the foods in your diet.
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