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What Role Does An H2 Blocker Play While Experiencing General GI Discomfort?
Posted on
Wed, 30 May 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 30 May 2018
Answered on
Fri, 8 Jan 2021
Last reviewed on
Question : Recently, within the last four weeks, the behavior of my GI tract has been unuusal. I’ve been experiencing extremely malodorous (rotten egg smell) gas, more of than not when I flatulate. This causes general GI discomfort because I try to reduce the times I pass gas.
My diet has had some sneititiveis (I am mildly lactose intolerant, and don’t consume dairy products where practical. In other words, I drink Lactaid and occasionally may put cream in my coffee.
Several months ago, I fractured my ankle and was left non weight bearing for some time. My diet changed significantly while I recovered. It became much more balanced. When I returned to full walking, I have been experiencing extremely pungent flattus.
During convalescence, my Gastroenterologist removed me from the PPI and placed me on an H2 blocker until the bone fully healed. Around this time, I began to notice the more offensive odors described above.
This has never an issue before, and I’d like some direction as to where i can go from here. What role does an H2 blocker play under these facts? Would probiotics be advised? Any clinician conditions that should be ruled out?
Notably, I had a normal EGD study performed four weeks ago.
My diet has had some sneititiveis (I am mildly lactose intolerant, and don’t consume dairy products where practical. In other words, I drink Lactaid and occasionally may put cream in my coffee.
Several months ago, I fractured my ankle and was left non weight bearing for some time. My diet changed significantly while I recovered. It became much more balanced. When I returned to full walking, I have been experiencing extremely pungent flattus.
During convalescence, my Gastroenterologist removed me from the PPI and placed me on an H2 blocker until the bone fully healed. Around this time, I began to notice the more offensive odors described above.
This has never an issue before, and I’d like some direction as to where i can go from here. What role does an H2 blocker play under these facts? Would probiotics be advised? Any clinician conditions that should be ruled out?
Notably, I had a normal EGD study performed four weeks ago.
Brief Answer:
Depleted gut flora.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for asking query my dear patient.
Have seen your details and i appreciate your concerns,
As per your query answers are-
Pungent smell is suggestive of incomplete fermentation of food inside intestines.Our intestine contains colonies of good and bad bacterias inside it.Usually the number of good bacteria's are much more then the bad ones but when the movement of food inside intestines is not proper or we take heavy meals etc;Bad bacterial colonies start outnumbering the good bacterium.Therefore food is incompletely fermented.Incomplete fermentation of food releases large amount of toxic gases like ammonia hydrogen sulphide etc which gives extremely pungent odour to gas.
Now lets move to your questions-
1)H 2 blocker is a week antacid as compared to proton pump inhibitors however its very safe in orthopedics patient therefore your doctor shifted you on H2 blockers.However as they are less potent and you are a patient of GERD my suggetion is to take Famotadine 400 mg once daily or Ranitidine 150 mg twice daily.
2)Definitely yes a good probiotic like VSL#3 should be taken twice daily initially for 10 days followed by once daily for 2 weeks.They would help to replete the depleted gut flora and would help to re establish good bacterial colonies in gut.Along with it take large amount of yoghurt (lactose free) it contain natural cultures of lactobacillus bacteria.
3)Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth can be a reason of severe flatulence .
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria are present in the small intestine, and the types of bacteria in the small intestine resemble more the bacteria of the colon than the small intestines causing improper and disturbed food digestion.
Tests suggested-
Small bowel imaging and a gastric-emptying scan.
Some general suggestions-
Ensure that raw foods are cooked properly before you eat them. This includes beef, pork and eggs. Also, a good practice would be to steam meat before actually cooking it.
Stay hydrated by drinking up to eight glasses of water a day, as it will help the absorption process and prevent constipation
Consume probiotic foods. This may include specific types of yogurt or supplements that help combat invasive bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
Eat fruits and vegetables. The added fiber will help cleanse the colon.
Hope i answered your query with relevent details.
In case you need any other professional advice feel free to ask.
Thank you
Depleted gut flora.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for asking query my dear patient.
Have seen your details and i appreciate your concerns,
As per your query answers are-
Pungent smell is suggestive of incomplete fermentation of food inside intestines.Our intestine contains colonies of good and bad bacterias inside it.Usually the number of good bacteria's are much more then the bad ones but when the movement of food inside intestines is not proper or we take heavy meals etc;Bad bacterial colonies start outnumbering the good bacterium.Therefore food is incompletely fermented.Incomplete fermentation of food releases large amount of toxic gases like ammonia hydrogen sulphide etc which gives extremely pungent odour to gas.
Now lets move to your questions-
1)H 2 blocker is a week antacid as compared to proton pump inhibitors however its very safe in orthopedics patient therefore your doctor shifted you on H2 blockers.However as they are less potent and you are a patient of GERD my suggetion is to take Famotadine 400 mg once daily or Ranitidine 150 mg twice daily.
2)Definitely yes a good probiotic like VSL#3 should be taken twice daily initially for 10 days followed by once daily for 2 weeks.They would help to replete the depleted gut flora and would help to re establish good bacterial colonies in gut.Along with it take large amount of yoghurt (lactose free) it contain natural cultures of lactobacillus bacteria.
3)Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth can be a reason of severe flatulence .
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria are present in the small intestine, and the types of bacteria in the small intestine resemble more the bacteria of the colon than the small intestines causing improper and disturbed food digestion.
Tests suggested-
Small bowel imaging and a gastric-emptying scan.
Some general suggestions-
Ensure that raw foods are cooked properly before you eat them. This includes beef, pork and eggs. Also, a good practice would be to steam meat before actually cooking it.
Stay hydrated by drinking up to eight glasses of water a day, as it will help the absorption process and prevent constipation
Consume probiotic foods. This may include specific types of yogurt or supplements that help combat invasive bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
Eat fruits and vegetables. The added fiber will help cleanse the colon.
Hope i answered your query with relevent details.
In case you need any other professional advice feel free to ask.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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