gate_pourri

As I sit here with another case of nausea (chewing on ginger), I am curious how the Activated Charcoal capsules work. Since I have some sort of an upset stomach daily, I am always interested in new cures.

obscure2k

Have you tried some plain old chewable pink Peptos? They sure do work for me. However, if you have a daily upset stomach, I suggest that you consult with a gastroenterologist. Please do not rely on the internet for information. Please do consult a physician who specializes in diseases of the digestive system (gastroenterologist).

GeoGirl

In higher doses, activated charcoal is used as a treatment for poisoning. The activated charcoal absorbs the toxins in your GI tract. If you search Google for "activated charcoal" a bunch of links describing exactly how it works come up.

In lower doses (the kind I'm talking about), activated charcoal is used for nausea, stomach pain, and flatulence. I Googled "activated charcoal for nausea" and found this and a bunch of other useful links: http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshel...25,832,00.html

My doctor had never heard of activated charcoal as a treatment for nausea and had to do her own research, but was fine with it once she learned more about it. I personally have frequent nausea and stomach "issues" but I have my whole life and doctors, even gastroenterologists, can't find anything wrong- it's mostly stress and diet, both of which I'm trying to get under control. In the meantime, I get my charcoal at Wild Oats or Whole Foods or any other health food store.

However, though my dad is a doctor, I'm NOT a doctor, so I agree with obscure2k- you should consult with a specialist to find out why you feel bad. If they can't find a reason, take some of the materials from the sites you find online and share them with your doctor to see if it's okay for you to take the charcoal.

It's been a real lifesaver for me. But you should check with your doctor or health specialist to make sure it's okay for you.

: )
GG

gate_pourri

Thanks for the information. I’ve gone to doctors and specialists since I was 13. They find very little wrong with me, and continually tell me that I am stressed and have a ‘sensitive stomach’.

I was given a daily prilosec proscription about a year ago, which helps a lot, and have been told to stop eating garlic, but I still have almost daily bouts of nausea. Since I have had this problem for 10 years, I have learned to just live with the pain, but, as I said, I am always looking for another thing to help relieve it. Candied ginger works like charm (which I actually learned about on this site about 6 months ago – Thanks FT!). I will definitely ask my doctor about the charcoal.

Thanks.

Emma65

It is also used by doctors to treat diorrhea(sp?)

If you have daily nausea it sounds like you have an irritated stomach.

Don't use ibuprofen products for pain relief as it aggrevates the condition. Plain paraceptomol is much better. Even Diklofenac will aggrevate it. Basically pain relief with ant-inflammatory agents aggrevate it.

See f you get better if you cut out eating meat (worked for me somewhat).

It could be as simple as your upper opening of your stomach doesn't close properly and fluids from your stomach can move upwards. This is a treatable condition. It is diagnosed by endoscopy (horrible procedure. Ask for some serious sedation) and can be treated surgically. I have it but have not had it treated by choice. Dietary changes and staying away from anti-inflammatory agents have helped.

No-no's for me are:
White wine (spritzers work for some reason)
No meat (not even chicken)
brewed coffee (perculated works in moderation as it's then brewed in higher temperature)
No wiskey

What works:
Instant coffee
Vegetarian diet (occasional fish)
Tea
whole meal bread (pumpernickel style even better)
yoghurt (those little ones with active bacteria good for your stomach are great!)



Yesterday I had 4 dime sized slices of pepperoni (I just lover the taste) and a tiny sip of burbon and today I feel like ****e. I new I was going to pay for it next day but sometimes you need to indulge.

You can get Gaviscon over the counter now. It forms a protective layer over teh content of your stomach preventing it from going upwards. I had that prescribed to me long before it was freely available. Worked wonders on me only problem was that I felt full and couldn't eat the rest of the day. So, that was no good for me. Well worth a try thoough.

Emma

GeoGirl

gate_pourri,
I've been various forms of vegan and vegetarian for years now and still have bouts with regular nausea. Currently a pesci-vegan (only eat fish and no other animal ingredients at all) and having nausea.

But after deciding that traditional Western medicine had had enough chances in my 33 years, I had my first accupuncture treatment on Friday. No nausea since then, and my stomach has felt completely sound and stable for the first time in weeks. I'm not sure how long it will last, but it was interesting nonetheless.

GG

Emma65

Going vegetarian (I could never do Vegan I like dairy roduce too much) is not the cure all and end all to gastric problems. It works for some it doesn't work for others. We're all individual people and have to factor that in.

But before going alternative do consult a physician. Alternative can actually counteract "traditional" medecines and vice versa.

I have heard from people who have had great result with alternative medication, be it homeopathy or asian.

Emma

obscure2k

I finally figured out what has been causing my recent indigestion. I have been drinking volumunious amounts of iced tea. Liptons now makes an unsweetened iced tea and it is all nicely prepared in a glass bottle. Normally, after a workout I reach for water. Now, I find that if it is around lunchtime, I am drinking the Lipton stuff. One thing that I have found that seems to quiet the indigestion is a couple of teaspoons of Yoplait "Whips." Obviously, I have now begun to reduce my iced-tea consumption. BTW, my husband suffers from Reflux and he also finds that the Yoplait Whips are very soothing.

buffy888

As others have said, if you have stomach problems daily, you might want to go to the doctor. If you have acid reflux, I know it can lead to other problems as well. Other stomach issues can be signs of other issues, too.

I suffered from IBS for quite a while. One thing that helped quite a bit was keeping a food journal. It helped me pinpoint some foods that seemed to make my symptoms worse.

AllanJ

I would try fasting for a day or perhaps a day-and-a-half. For the trial, at least wait for all of the pain to go away and wait 6 more hours before eating anything. (Water is OK.)

Health hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/health.htm

Hunnybear

Have you tried taking any probiotics?

I'm not sure if this would help with nausea - but it does help with digestion in general (even cured my husb's lactose intolerance). The one we use is made by Nature's Way and is called Primadophilus.

We buy it online, but you can probably find it in the refrigerated section of your health food store (they are coated capsules, but should be stored in the fridge, long term at least)

gate_pourri

Thanks for all the advice, and I plan to look into all of these options. I've found out after years of upset stomach that I cannot handle garlic, even just the smallest amount, so that has been cut out and has helped considerable. Everything else, I am still looking into.

Am I going crazy, because I don't recall opening this thread?

l etoile

Hmmm ... should I let you continue to wonder if you're going crazy or clue you in? Decisions, decisions.

Truth is you're not going crazy. This topic had taken on a life of its own within the FT Womens' seal of approval thread, so rather than let that one stray off course, I split all the posts on this topic into a new thread. Yours was the post that started it all. I explained it on the other thread and provided a link to this one.

jtkauai

Hit the nearest chinatown, or chinese herbalist. Po Chi. A miracle.