Digestive

How the digestive system works

Each part of your digestive system helps to move food and liquid through your GI tract and break food and liquid into smaller parts.

Mouth

The digestive process commences in the mouth, where food is chewed into easily digestible pieces. Saliva blends with the food, converting it into a form that the body can absorb and use. As one swallows, the tongue guides the food into the throat and down the esophagus.

Esophagus

Situated in your throat close to the windpipe (trachea), the esophagus accepts food from your mouth during swallowing. To prevent choking (when food enters the windpipe), a small flap called the epiglottis folds over the windpipe. Within the esophagus, muscular contractions known as peristalsis move food to the stomach.

Before food enters, a ring-like muscle at the esophagus's base, called the sphincter, must relax. After allowing food in, the sphincter contracts, preventing stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus. When this fails, and stomach contents do flow back, it can lead to acid reflux or heartburn.

Stomach

The stomach, a hollow organ, holds and mixes food with digestive enzymes. Once the stomach has fully processed its contents, they are released into the small intestine.

Small intestine

The small intestine comprises the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. This 22-foot-long muscular tube breaks down food particles with enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver.

Pancreas

The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum. Simultaneously, it produces insulin, which is released into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar levels and facilitate the body's energy usage.

Liver

Nutrients absorbed from the small intestine are processed in the liver. The liver detoxifies harmful chemicals and produces bile, which aids in digesting fats and certain vitamins.

Gallbladder

The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the duodenum to help digest and absorb fats. Post-meal, the gallbladder is empty, resembling a deflated balloon until it is filled up again.

Colon

The colon, or large intestine, absorbs water from undigested food, forming stool. It's a 6-foot-long muscular tube that connects the small intestine to the rectum.

Rectum

The rectum serves as a reservoir for waste. Muscles in the rectum push the waste toward the anus, allowing it to be expelled from the body.

Anus

The digestive tract concludes at the anus, a 2-inch canal comprising pelvic floor muscles and two anal sphincters through which the stool exits the body.

Bowel

Our Bowel class of Digestive medications used to treat disorders of the bowel (lower GI tract) like Inflammatory bowel disease and Irritable bowel syndrome, caused by inflammation, immune system dysfunction, stress, muscle spasm and infection; also constipation due to dysmobility of the intestine. Use the search feature to quickly find the product you are looking for, by entering either the active ingredient, e.g. mesalazine or the product name, e.g. Asacol.

Potential side effects of bowel disease medications

Side effects can vary depending on the specific drug and the individual's unique health needs. The most commonly reported side effects when taking GI medications include:

• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Mood swings
• Palpitations
• Muscle cramps
• Menstrual disorders
• Rash
• Joint pain
• Abdominal pain

If unexpected side effects appear, consult a healthcare professional promptly for guidance. Adhere to the recommended dosage to ensure safe and optimal results.

For more information about our stomach medications and ordering process, visit our FAQs section.

Inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders caused by chronic inflammation of the intestines. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn's Disease, which can affect any part of the upper or lower GI tract, and ulcerative colitis that affects only the large intestine or colon and rectum. Both diseases are thought to be autoimmune diseases due to an over-reactive immune system, when the immune system attacks self, in this case, intestinal tissue. Symptoms vary from mild to severe when inflammation flares up with symptoms including abdominal pain and cramping, rectal bleeding, diarrhea and vomiting. Medications used for treating IBD to relieve symptoms include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs like Mesalazine that inhibit the cyclo-oxygenase enzyme (COX) and block the production of inflammatory chemicals like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which also inhibits the migration of inflammatory cells like macrophages into the intestine wall.
• Immunomodifiers like sulphasalazine, which have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive effects and work by several different mechanisms, including, inhibiting production of inflammatory chemicals like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are also involved in immune reactions, influencing white cell function and inhibiting antibody production.
• Corticosteroids like budesonide, which are also anti-inflammatory but work by a different mechanism, binding to a glucocorticosteroid receptor in the intestinal cells and inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines and cytokine-mediated immune responses.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) covers a range of functional bowel disorders and includes conditions like chronic irritable colon (spastic colon), spastic constipation, spastic colitis, and nervous diarrhoea. IBS has no specific cause but may be triggered by several factors, including food sensitivity, stress and infection. Symptoms are caused by spasm of the intestinal muscle as it squeezes food through the intestine and include abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea (with or without alternating constipation) and flatulence (wind). Medications used for treating IBD include:

• Antispasmodics like mebeverine and propantheline that are both anticholinergic and work primarily by blocking the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that is involved in regulating intestinal smooth muscle contraction. This action allows the smooth muscle to relax, reducing muscle spasm.
• Serotonin agonists like tegaserod that also regulate intestinal smooth muscle contraction by binding to specific serotonin receptors found only in the nerve cells of the GI tract and this helps restore normal bowel motility; it also helps reduce sensitivity to pain and discomfort caused by symptoms of IBS.

Constipation

Chronic constipation may be a symptom of several GI disorders and is characterized by hard stools that are difficult to pass and infrequent bowel movements. Laxatives like lactulose help soften the stools by changing the osmotic pressure in the colon and allowing water to be drawn into the colon, which also increases bowel motility and makes the stools easier to pass.

Stomach/Intestines

Our Stomach class of Digestive medications is used to treat disorders of the stomach, esophagus and small intestine (upper GI tract) like nausea, reflux, and peptic ulcers (stomach and duodenal ulcers); also gastroparesis, which is delayed emptying of the stomach. Use the search feature to quickly find the product you are looking for, by entering either the active ingredient, e.g. hyoscine or the product name, e.g. Buscopan.

Peptic ulcers and reflux

Gastric acid is needed for digestion of food. Gastric reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus causing heartburn (a burning feeling from the stomach towards the neck) and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain). Reflux disease, as this condition is commonly known, is usually due to damage or loss of normal function of the sphincter muscle at the junction of the esophagus and stomach that normally acts as a one-way valve and prevents backflow of stomach contents. Reflux can also damage the esophagus causing oesophagitis or inflammation of the esophagus.

Peptic ulcers are damage to the stomach lining (gastric ulcers) or the lining of the upper intestine (duodenal ulcers) and are caused by excess gastric acid production due to use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or by infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

Medications used to treat reflux and ulcers are based on reducing the amount of gastric acid produced and released into the stomach, and fall into two categories:

• Proton pump inhibitors: like omeprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole and lansoprazole, which block the enzyme involved in producing gastric acid by stomach lining cells.
• H2-receptor antagonists: like ranitidine, which block the gastric H2-receptor preventing the normal stimulation by histamine of gastric acid production.

Ulcer protection

Another treatment for peptic ulcers is using a cytoprotectant like sucralfate that forms a protective barrier over the ulcer from the damaging effects of gastric acid and digestive enzymes.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is when the stomach muscles do not work properly causing a partial paralysis of the stomach and delayed emptying of the contents. The result is that food stays too long in the stomach before emptying into the small intestine and this can put extra pressure on the esophageal sphincter. Gastroparesis is usually due to nerve damage and can be treated using a serotonin (5HT) receptor agonist like cisapride. This action stimulates stomach muscle contraction so that food can be moved out into the small intestine.

Stomach muscle spasm

Muscle spasm in the stomach can be caused by a variety of GI disorders, including peptic ulcers, reflux disease, infection, or food intolerance. Muscle spasm can be treated symptomatically using an antispasmodics medication like propantheline that works as an anticholinergic by blocking the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that is involved in regulating intestinal smooth muscle contraction. This action allows the smooth muscle to relax, reducing muscle spasm.

Nausea

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of several different conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, migraine, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer treatment, reaction to surgical anesthetic, and dysmotility, which is when the intestinal or stomach muscles do not work efficiently and movement of food through the GI tract slows down. The vomiting reflex originates in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) of the area postrema of the brain sending nerve messages to the vomiting center of the brain. Medications used to relieve nausea and vomiting include two types of antiemetic:

• Serotonin receptor-antagonists like ondansetron that work by binding to specific 5HT3 receptors in the intestine and in the CTZ and block the transmission of nerve messages from the intestines and from the CTZ to the vomiting center in the brain, which prevents the vomiting reflex from being triggered.
• Dopamine antagonists like domperidone and metoclopramide work by binding to dopamine receptors in the CTZ blocking the transmission of nerve messages to the vomiting center in the brain, which prevents the vomiting reflex from being triggered. They also have gastrokinetic action by interacting with nervous control of muscle contraction in the stomach and upper intestine, which helps relieve symptoms of dysmotility (when food processing slows down) and this also helps prevent vomiting.

Possible side effects of stomach meds

Stomach pills may have different side effects based on the specific medication and the person's health and medical history. Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Dry mouth
• Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
• Dyshidrosis (an eczema-like skin condition)
• Difficulty passing urine

Before taking any stomach meds, it's important to review the potential side effects. Consult with a physician first to ensure the stomach pills won't adversely interact with existing conditions you may have or medications you may be taking.

What are digestive problems?

Digestive problems are caused by various conditions in different parts of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The upper GI tract comprises the esophagus, stomach and upper part of the small intestine or duodenum. The lower GI tract comprises the remainder of the small intestines or ileum and the large intestine, or colon, (commonly known as the bowel), rectum and anus.

Symptoms of a digestive problem include heartburn, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, constipation and flatulence (wind). These symptoms can be due to a wide variety of causes, including too much stomach acid, stimulation of the vomiting reflex, muscle spasm in the intestines, dysfunction of intestinal motility and bowel inflammation or irritation.

Common causes of GI problems

Diet and nutrition

Insufficient water intake can impede the breakdown of food and hinder the efficient absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract. Similarly, a low-fiber diet may lead to sluggish bowel function and a greater risk of constipation.

Consuming acidic or fatty foods, such as coffee, chocolate, onions, tomatoes, and citrus fruits, as well as indulging in spicy or large meals, can trigger acid reflux.

Taking stomach medications can help alleviate heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion. Additionally, GI medications can expedite bowel movements.

Lifestyle factors

Excessive alcohol consumption may overwhelm the liver and digestive system, promoting intestinal inflammation and organ damage. Similarly,smoking may increase the risk of peptic ulcers and limit the liver’s ability to flush out toxins from the body.

Stomach pills, such as Carafate tablets, may help treat acute, non-malignant peptic ulcers occurring in the stomach and the small intestine.

Infections

Bowel infections are caused by viruses (rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus), bacteria (salmonella and shigella), and parasites (amoebiasis and giardia).

A healthcare professional will recommend stomach meds to control the infection and alleviate symptoms. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary, especially if there is a risk of dehydration or complications.

Digestive cleansing

A complete body cleanse system is available to help with the body’s natural detoxification process.

Medications for upper gastrointestinal problems

Medications that are used for digestive problems of the upper GI tract include:

• Antiemetics for the treatment of nausea, which include 5HT3 receptor-antagonist and dopamine antagonist.
• Inhibitors of gastric acid production for the treatment of peptic ulcers and gastric reflux, including proton pump inhibitors, histamine receptor antagonists, and serotonin agonists.
• Cytoprotectants that protect cells that line the stomach from the effects of too much acid.
• Gastrokinetic drugs that work as serotonin agonists to promote GI motility and are used to treat reflux and gastroparesis, which is delayed emptying of the stomach and causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and heartburn.

Medications for lower gastrointestinal problems

Medications that are used for digestive problems of the lower GI tract include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs that are used for Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; these include both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and corticosteroids; also immunomodulatory drugs that affect the immune system.
• Antispasmodics used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other similar conditions including, chronic irritable colon, spastic constipation, functional bowel disorders, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, and nervous diarrhea.
• Gastrokinetic drugs that work as serotonin agonists to promote GI motility and are used to treat IBS with constipation.
• Laxatives that are used to loosen stools and relieve constipation.

FAQs

What is the best way to treat constipation?

To maintain bowel regularity, increase your fiber intake, stay hydrated, and engage in physical activity. Physicians may also recommend laxatives to loosen stools and relieve constipation.

Do stomach acid pills work?

Yes, stomach acid pills, such as H2-receptor antagonists and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are formulated to reduce gastric acid production. They may be effective in managing conditions like peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other acid-related disorders.

What are the most common stomach medications?

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most commonly used medications to treat stomach acid issues. They inhibit the enzyme responsible for the production of gastric acid by stomach lining cells. Examples of stomach meds include pantoprazole (Protonix), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid and others), and omeprazole (Prilosec).