Tablets for heaviness in the stomach help people cope with unpleasant sensations. Such drugs should always be in the medicine cabinet, given our lifestyle with a constant lack of time for ourselves. But you need to know for sure when unpleasant sensations can be relieved simply by taking medications for heaviness in the stomach, and when this is a pathology and requires the intervention of a doctor.
Drugs used
All medications for heaviness in the stomach can be divided into the following pharmacological groups:
- prokinetics – this remedy helps eliminate stomach pain, improves gastric motility;
- pancreatic enzymes - medications of this pharmaceutical group are aimed at stimulating the functioning of the stomach; they are recommended to be taken before meals or immediately after meals;
- Antacids – normalize pH levels and help get rid of heartburn. However, it should be noted that without complex therapy and diet correction they will not produce the desired effect;
- antispasmodics - drugs of this group can eliminate mild pain and spasms in the abdominal cavity, but, like antacids, they are ineffective without complex therapy;
- proton pump inhibitors – normalize acidity in the stomach, which helps eliminate heartburn;
- antidiarrheal;
- antiemetics.
Which medications to take during treatment can only be determined by the attending physician, after clarifying the diagnosis during the necessary diagnostic measures.
What to do if you overeat: reasons for overeating
It's quite easy to overeat during a holiday feast. Family feasts for New Year or birthday are real stress for the body. Lots of delicious food plus alcohol, which removes inhibitions and stimulates appetite, and overeating is very difficult to avoid.
There are other reasons for overeating:
• if a person overeats constantly, we are talking about a psychological problem. It is unlikely to be resolved without the help of a professional psychologist;
• if a person does not constantly overeat, but is prone to it, most likely some physiological processes in the body are disrupted. Possible endocrine disease, hormonal disorders, lack of vital microelements, vitamins;
• increased appetite due to certain circumstances. For example, it will pay for a hotel stay under the All inclusive system; some people find it difficult to refuse free food;
• the habit of eating problems and bad mood with tasty foods until the feeling of overeating becomes painful.
In general, in order to get rid of the problem and not worry about what to do if you overate, it is important to analyze the reasons and make some kind of decision. If we are talking about psychology, then you need to adhere to certain rules. For example, not keeping a lot of tasty food at home, or making it a habit to eat half a head of iceberg lettuce, etc., before reaching for the first cake. If overeating is accompanied by other symptoms, you must be examined by an endocrinologist.
Pancreatic enzymes
Among this group of drugs, the following anti-overeating pills should be highlighted:
- Festal;
- Creon;
- Pancreatin;
- Micrasm.
These medications can be used both to relieve the symptomatic manifestations of this symptom and as prescribed by a doctor. In any case, you should pay attention to contraindications. So, you should not take these medications in the following cases:
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- in case of individual intolerance to some components of the drug;
- if the diagnosis is not specified.
Each medicine has its own side effects, which you need to be aware of before taking them.
Prokinetics
A substance from this category not only helps eliminate an unpleasant symptom in the stomach after eating, but also normalizes gastric motility, which also helps eliminate discomfort. This pharmacological group includes the following drugs:
The drug "Ganaton"
- "Ganaton" - improves the passage of food in the intestines, also helps eliminate nausea and vomiting, and prevents increased flatulence. You cannot take more than three tablets per day;
- "Motilium" - effectively eliminates heaviness and a feeling of fullness in the stomach. The maximum permissible daily dose is eight tablets, but you must always check the safe amount of the drug with your doctor;
- "Gastrikumel" - improves the process of digestion of food in the stomach, effectively and quickly removes accumulated gases and eliminates cramps.
Like other medications to eliminate this clinical manifestation in the abdomen, they have several contraindications. Thus, drugs in this category are strongly not recommended for use if the following factors occur:
- the presence of gastric ulcer and gastritis;
- severe toxicosis;
- breastfeeding period;
- the patient’s age is less than 12 years, some drugs can be given to a child over three years old, but this needs to be clarified with the doctor individually;
- exacerbation of cholecystitis;
- allergic reactions to certain components;
- internal bleeding.
Why is this happening
The causes of heaviness in the stomach can be quite commonplace, and most people have encountered this. For example, from overeating during a feast to eating too heavy food - fatty, fried, spicy, with a lot of baked goods, soda, butter creams. In this case, pills for heaviness in the stomach will help restore good health again.
But there are problems that are even more serious. When every meal ends with a feeling of heaviness, this is no longer normal. And when this is accompanied by pain of varying intensity and other unpleasant symptoms: belching, vomiting, heartburn and the like, you should definitely visit a specialist. Situations in which you should not postpone a visit to the doctor:
- frequent vomiting, moreover, with undigested food debris;
- pain of various types in the abdomen;
- temperature jump to 37.5 degrees and above;
- diarrhea with a characteristic greenish color or watery appearance;
- decreased appetite or complete absence of it;
- weight loss.
These manifestations may include constant heaviness in the epigastrium, bloating of the intestines, pale skin, and rumbling in the abdomen. First of all, you need to exclude from your diet those foods that cause this condition. And if the symptoms do not disappear even after this, you must, without delay, visit your doctor, undergo an examination and find the cause.
Important! If the listed symptoms occur in an acute form and bring unbearable pain, you must call an ambulance so as not to miss the condition of an “acute abdomen” that requires emergency care.
Antacids
Drugs of this pharmacological group include medications for heartburn; the following are considered the most effective:
- "Renny";
- "Smecta";
- "Phosphalugel";
- "Omeprazole";
- "Omez."
As for the release form, they can be in the form of lozenges, dissolved in water or in the form of suspensions. Some of them can also be used as an antidiarrheal agent (Smecta). Before use, it is strongly recommended to consult with your doctor, as there are several contraindications:
- in case of acute or liver failure;
- excessive calcium in the blood;
- hypersensitivity or complete intolerance to some components of the drug;
- period of bearing a child or breastfeeding. In such cases, heartburn pills are not strictly prohibited, but it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Antispasmodics
The drug "Drotaverin"
For stomach pain, your doctor may prescribe antispasmodics. Drugs in this group can quickly eliminate intense pain and spasms. In this case, the following medications should be highlighted:
- “Meteospasmil” - the substance helps not only eliminate the unpleasant sensation, but also normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, improves the passage of gases and eliminates bloating;
- “Drotaverine” - prescribed only for severe pain; no more than three tablets can be taken per day;
- "Duspatalin."
Before using products in this category, you need to pay attention to the following contraindications:
- age restriction - some drugs should not be taken by children under 12 years of age;
- the period of bearing a child and breastfeeding;
- the presence of chronic diseases, not only regarding the gastrointestinal tract;
- individual intolerance to some components.
Also, medications in this group have some side effects, the most common of which are:
- dizziness or headache;
- nausea, which may be accompanied by vomiting;
- diarrhea or constipation.
At the same time, it should be noted that side effects occur only if the dosage or contraindications are not observed.
Top medications for heaviness in the stomach
If there is a prolonged or regular feeling of fullness and heaviness in the abdomen, the gastroenterologist prescribes the following medications:
- Mezim, Festal and Gastal;
- Smecta, Ranitidine;
- Creon, Motilium and Motonium;
- De-nol, Motilak;
- Pancreatin, Panzinorm;
- Omeprazole, Rennie.
Mezim also helps well not only against heaviness in the stomach but also against heartburn.
Smecta
It comes in the form of a powder that must be dissolved in water before use. The drug can be used in the treatment of not only adults, but also small children, which is its significant advantage. Smecta is actively used during the treatment of diarrhea, poisoning, as well as other dyspeptic disorders: heaviness, overcrowding and pain. When taking it, it is important to follow the dosage, as an overdose can cause constipation.
Festal
This medication is recommended for use in case of a one-time or pathological disorder in the digestive area. Festal helps facilitate the digestion of food. It is prescribed for people who have a tendency to flatulence and difficulty defecating. If gastrointestinal dysfunction is one-time in nature, then the course of treatment will be short-term.
Motilak and Motonium
Motilak and Motonium deserve special attention, which are designed to stimulate the activity of the gastric walls and duodenum. The advantage of the drugs is that they do not affect the secretion of the digestive organs. An analogue of these medications is Motilium, which is used only as prescribed by the attending physician.
Ranitidine
Compared to the listed drugs, Ranitidine affects secretion, which leads to a decrease in the activity of food enzymes and the production of gastric juice. Tablets are prescribed for the treatment of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by an increased level of acidity. In addition, Ranitiin perfectly fights dyspeptic syndrome, which manifests itself in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract.
It is an antacid drug that is intended to neutralize the aggressiveness of hydrochloric acid, which is synthesized by the stomach. The drug helps to cope with the following symptoms: abdominal pain, heaviness and fullness in the stomach, heartburn. Rennie should be taken with extreme caution, as its composition is very close to baking soda. With frequent use, you can upset the acid-base balance of the digestive tract.
Proton pump inhibitors
PPI drugs include five drugs that help normalize acidity in the stomach and eliminate corresponding unpleasant symptoms. This category includes the following medications:
- "Omeprazole";
- "Lansoprazole";
- "Pantoprazole";
- "Rabeprazole";
- "Esomeprazole."
Contraindications to taking such drugs are pregnancy, breastfeeding, and individual intolerance to some components of the drug.
Only a qualified medical specialist can tell you exactly what pills to take for heaviness in the stomach. It is strongly not recommended to take any medications solely at your own discretion, as this may provoke the development of complications. You also need to take into account the fact that taking medications can only eliminate the symptoms, but not the disease itself.
When to see a doctor
If a person experiences heaviness, discomfort and pain for a long time, you should consult a specialist. The doctor determines the cause of the ailment, taking into account the patient’s symptoms and complaints. Based on the cause of the pathology, the intensity of the symptoms and the characteristics of the body, appropriate treatment is prescribed.
In some cases, it is enough to adjust your diet and lifestyle to restore the functioning of the digestive system. If the disorder is caused by gastrointestinal pathology, long-term therapy is necessary. In certain situations, surgery may be required.
To eliminate unpleasant symptoms and normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, appropriate diet therapy, medications for heaviness in the stomach, as well as effective folk remedies are prescribed.