You know that eating the wrong foods can leave your
digestion and gut health in a pretty sorry state. (We’re looking at you, sugar
and refined carbs.) But those aren’t the only things that can do a number on
your GI tract.
Some
medications and supplements could also have an impact—and leave you nauseous,
crampy, or constipated as a result. Here’s a look at 5 common culprits, plus
what you can do to safeguard your stomach if you have to take them.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics work by killing
bad bacteria that are making you sick. But that’s not all they do. “They may
also kill some of the millions of bacteria that live in your gut as part of a
benevolent bacteria ecosystem that helps you digest food, process vitamins and
enzymes, and keep you in good health,” says Marc Leavey, MD, a primary care
specialist at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. When those good guys get wiped
out, you could end up with bloating, diarrhea, excess gas, and cramping.
That’s one good reason to
limit your antibiotic use as much as possible. (Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
is another.) But when you really need them, you can give your belly a boost by
replenishing some of the good bacteria that was wiped out. Try a probiotic
supplement that contains the bacteria strains bifidobacterium and lactobacillus,
or eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, Leavey says.
Iron supplements
Ferrous sulfate, the most
common iron supplement, is notorious for causing constipation. That’s because it causes changes to gut bacteria
that slow down the intestinal muscles and dry out the gastrointestinal tract,
explains Christina Mnatzaganian, PharmD, clinical assistant professor in the
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego.
The good news is that the
problem tends to decrease with time. But you can help speed things along by
gradually upping your fiber intake, drinking more water, and being active
every day, Mnatzaganian says. Spreading your dosage throughout the day instead
of taking it all at once could also make a difference. Still no good? Talk to
your doctor. He may be able to switch you to an alternative form of iron, says Mnatzaganian. It may be
less effective, but it might not make you as constipated.
Birth control pills
Estrogen can irritate the
lining of the stomach, so it’s not uncommon for the pill to cause nausea,
stomach pain, or cramping. But that’s not all: Findings show that
women who take the pill have three times the risk of getting inflammatory bowel
disease compared to those who don’t take it. Experts don’t exactly know why,
but it may have to do with estrogen affecting the immune system, says
integrative practitioner Rachel Abrams, MD, author of Bodywise:
Discovering Your Body’s Intelligence for Lifelong Health and Healing.
Taking your pill with food or
switching to a non-oral contraceptive (like the patch or vaginal ring) could
help ease general nausea and stomach discomfort. As for inflammatory bowel
disease prevention? The risk is low enough that it’s still worth taking the
pill, Abrams says. But you can take extra steps to protect yourself by not
smoking (it can increase your risk), and eating a gut-healthy diet with plenty
of fruits, vegetables, and fermented
foods. Some experts also believe
that collagen supplements may
help heal the gut lining due to their amino acid profile.
OTC and Rx antacids
OTC antacids, H-2 blockers,
and proton pump inhibitors all work to help ease acid reflux by lowering the
amount of acid in your stomach. But that relief can come at a cost. Your
stomach uses acid to break down your food—so having less of it around can
affect your digestion as well as your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, says
Leavey.
That’s not a big deal if you
only pop an OTC antacid once in a blue moon. But if you’re taking antacids for
an extended period of time, talk with your doctor about how best to ensure you
get the nutrition you need. She might recommend certain ways of balancing your
meals with the time you take your meds to optimize nutrient absorption, or
recommend a supplement, Leavey says.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by
increasing the activity of the feel-good hormone serotonin. Problem is, the gut is loaded with serotonin
receptors. And as a result, all of that extra activity can cause stomach woes
like nausea, constipation, and diarrhea, says Kelly Lee, PharmD, associate
professor in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC
San Diego. Some antidepressants (like Paxil, Elavil, and Tofranil) also work by
blocking receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which can also cause
constipation.
Staying hydrated, eating
plenty of fiber, and being active can all help keep things moving. “But because
the underlying mechanism for these side effects is neurochemical based, there’s
no standard method for reducing or preventing them,” Lee says. Fortunately,
most digestive issues tend to clear up within a few weeks of starting the meds.
But if they’re still bothering you, your doctor might try prescribing an
alternate antidepressant.
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