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Mylanta and IBS

Mylanta is classed as an antacid and is a drug that consists of a combination of Aluminium hydroxide and Magnesium hydroxide, together which can treat heartburn, indigestion and gastritis so is often used by people suffering from symptoms associated with the gastro-intestinal tract which of course includes people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS.

What is IBS?

IBS is a functional disorder affecting the way that bowel movements are processed. Symptoms associated with IBS include:

Bloating
Abdominal cramps and spasms
Diarrhoea
Constipation
A combination of diarrhoea and constipation
Mucous in the stools
Heartburn
Indigestion
Flatulence

It is not easy to diagnose IBS as the symptoms can mimic many other conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract so it is important that if you suspect you have IBS that you contact your doctor for a full medical investigation into the symptoms. The main treatment for IBS consists of dealing with the most troublesome symptoms. Many people with IBS complain of heartburn and indigestion for which antacids such as Mylanta can be helpful.

How do antacids such as Mylanta work?

Heartburn can be described as a burning sensation in the chest, often behind the breastbone. It is caused by a back up of acid from the stomach. The normal treatment for heartburn is antacids (such as Mylanta) which work basically by neutralising the acid in the stomach so that it cannot damage the tissue in the oesophagus.

The positive side of antacids are that they work quickly, in as little as five minutes or so, however, the down side is that they only work for a short period of time, perhaps a few hours at most, so must be taken repeatedly.

It is not advisable to take antacids repeatedly for extended periods of time as they can have an impact on the gut’s ability to absorb some nutrients and as the acid is somewhat “neutralised” the gastric juices have a reduced ability to kill off certain bacteria meaning that you may find yourself more prone to infection.

How to reduce the need for Antacids

If you are overweight, lose some weight
Stop or cut down on smoking
Reduce intake of alcohol, tea and coffee
Avoid foods that aggravate heartburn and indigestion such as spicy foods, fried foods, fatty foods, and chocolate
Don’t overeat in general and eat smaller portions at mealtimes
Don’t eat for several hours before going to bed
Avoid stress and stressful situations