Can you eat after taking tums? (3 Rules to Follow)
In this brief guide, we will answer the question, can you eat after taking tums? We will discuss how to take tums either before or after a meal. We will also discuss how tums work and some side effects caused by tums.
Can you eat after taking tums?
You can eat soon after taking tums. For tums to be effective, you can eat 30 minutes after taking tums. Do not eat when you take tums. If you take tums around the time you eat, the tums will not work.
For some people, tums work their best if taken an hour after they eat. The relief lasts for 2 hours if you take tums after you eat.
Also, make sure to drink a full glass of water when you take tums.
What are tums?
Tums are antacids that have calcium carbonate as the active ingredient. Tums are taken after experiencing acid-related digestive problems such as heartburn, acid reflux, stomach ulcer, and gastritis.
Tums come as soft chews, hard chews, and a smooth dissolve formula. Tums also come as regular strength with 500 mg of calcium carbonate, extra strength comes as 750 milligrams, and ultra-strength has 1000 milligrams.
How to use tums?
Tums are available as tablets, chewable tablets, capsules, and liquid. Check the label and instructions for dosage or talk to your health practitioner for further information.
Take tums as directed by your physician for not more or less than the prescribed amount.
If you take chewable tablets, chew them thoroughly before swallowing. After taking either of the capsules, tablets, or syrup, drink a glass full of water.
When should you avoid tums?
Over-the-counter antacids such as tums must be stopped if taken over 2 weeks. If you have an underlying medical problem that is causing the issue, you should see a doctor to help you diagnose and treat the condition.
You should not take tums if you have kidney or liver problems, are on a sodium-aversive diet; taking thyroid medications or blood thinners.
And never forget to check the expiration date of your TUMS.
How do antacids such as tums work?
Antacids have an alkaline component that neutralizes the acid in the stomach. Different alkaline compounds used in antacids are aluminum hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate.
Some additional elements used are alginates, which protect the esophagus, and, simethicone which prevents flatulence.
Calcium Chloride in tums does not only neutralize the acid in the stomach but increases the action of the esophagus to minimize the impact of acid. Tums also have simethicone to reduce gas and prevent bloating.
What causes high stomach acid, and how to prevent it?
Acid Reflux or heartburn is a condition, caused when excessive acid is produced by the stomach. When the stomach is unable to neutralize the acid, you experience the related symptoms.
The Gastrin hormone directs the production of acid. If a condition causes overproduction of gastrin, it increases a higher than needed amount of stomach acid.
While it is normal to have occasional acid reflux when you overindulge with food, it could indicate a potential health problem.
Sometimes medication causes a person to have high stomach acid or withdrawal from certain medications.
Helicobacter pylori infection is a common cause of the overproduction of acid. When the bacteria colonize in the gut, it can cause chronic conditions such as ulcers.
In some rare cases, overproduction of acid is due to kidney failure; sometimes an obstruction occurs in the gastric outlet, which leads from the stomach to the intestines.
A healthy lifestyle can help to combat gastric-related symptoms. If you eat in moderate amounts and do not lie down after you eat, it will reduce the chance of gastric reflux.
You should avoid acidic foods and drinks such as coffee and tea, especially later in the day. Also, try to consume maximum food early in the day and avoid eating heavy meals at night.
You need to avoid smoking and alcohol to alleviate the symptoms of GERD.
What are some side effects of taking tums and some precautions you need to take?
Tums have calcium carbonate; calcium-based antacids can cause gas and bloat. Other side effects are swelling of feet, ankles, or hands and constipation.
Tums also cause an upset stomach, nausea, stomach pain, belching, diarrhea or constipation, dry mouth, increased urination, loss of appetite Metallic taste.
Talk to your doctor if you are allergic to calcium carbonate or any other minor component of tums. Also, you need to consider other medicines or drugs you take to prevent the interaction. Tums and other drugs need to be taken two hours apart to prevent a reaction.
In this brief guide, we answered the question, can you eat after taking tums? We discussed how to take tums either before or after a meal. We also discussed how tums work and some side effects caused by tums.
