Medicines for gastrointestinal diseases

introduction

There are various drugs for gastrointestinal diseases that are prescribed by the doctor depending on the type and intensity of the disease. Depending on the gastrointestinal disease (gastrointestinal disease) the patient suffers, various medications can be used. Medicines for gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea (Diarrhea) or nausea (Nausea). However, there are also very specific medicines for gastrointestinal diseases, such as medicines for inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis). In order to get a good overview of the drugs against gastrointestinal diseases, this article first lists the diseases and then the possible therapy in the form of drugs.

Please also read: Home remedies for gastrointestinal flu

Medicines for infections of the gastrointestinal tract

There are several forms of infections that can affect the gastrointestinal tract. One of the most common infections is through the Campylobacter bacterium evoked. Here it comes to a Inflammation of the intestines (Campylobacter enteritis), where the Symptoms diarrhea, Stomach cramps and malaise are. Medication are against this gastrointestinal disease mostly not necessary, rarely is the gastrointestinal pain so severe that the patient becomes one Painkiller needed. In very rare cases A patient may also need gastrointestinal medication, especially if the Patient immunocompromised is. In this case a Therapy with antibiotic be helpful.

A fairly common one chronic infection of Stomach is a Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylorii. With this infection it comes to persistent nausea, stomach pain, Vomit and thereby conditional to Loss of appetite. The drugs against this gastrointestinal disease are given according to a specific schedule. The therapy is also known as Triple therapy because the Antibiotics Amoxicillin or Metronidazole With Clarithromycin and one Proton pump inhibitors can be used. These drugs for gastrointestinal disease need total Taken over 7 days be so that bacterium Helicobacter pylori subsequently eliminated and therefore also the inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) disappears. With especially stubborn cases other drugs for gastrointestinal disease can also be used. In this case one speaks of the so-called Quadruple Therapy, at the one Proton pump inhibitorswho have favourited Antibiotics Tetracycline and Metronidazole and a Bismuth salt administered.

Especially more often in summer an infection with the Bacteria salmonella. These lead to a acute gastrointestinal inflammation, taking it to diarrhea (Diarrhea), nausea (Nausea), Vomit, fever and also stomach pain comes. Medication are against this gastrointestinal disease mostly not necessary, only in worse cases the doctor may give the patient a antibiotic administered.

But not only the gastrointestinal disease is caused by Salmonella, there are too Special forms of salmonella, the typhus and Paratyphoid can evoke. This is what happens above all in countries with a low hygienic standard. The patients get fever and pea-like diarrhea, whereby the duration of the illness is usually longer. In both cases the patient should medication as soon as possible take against gastrointestinal disease, in this case one antibiotic. Which antibiotic makes sense depends above all on whether the pathogen has already developed any resistance. There is also a Vaccination against typhoidwho is recommended to travelers to different countries.

Another infection that can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort is infection with the Clostridium difficile bacterium. An infection occurs here especially when the Patient has a disturbed and damaged intestinal flora has, for example after antibiotic therapy. There are two different drugs for gastrointestinal disease. For one, there is a antibioticwhich the patient can get, with the risk that the bacterium Clostridium difficile is also resistant to this antibiotic and thus the infection becomes even worse. There is also the option of one Stool transplant. Here the healthy stool of a healthy person the Implanted in patient. This form of therapy often sounds unusual at first, but it has one very high success rate and is therefore recommended in severe cases.

In Germany in particular, however, one often occurs Gastrointestinal infection with different Viruses, for example the Adenovirus or that Noro virus. The patients then suffer diarrhea, on nausea and Vomit as well as on Gastrointestinal cramps. Medication against these gastrointestinal disorders mostly not necessary because the infection disappears on its own after a short time (self-limiting infection). The most important thing is that the patient drink enough fluids and the replaces lost electrolytes by Bananas and Pretzel Sticks. Medicines against gastrointestinal diseases are only necessary in a few cases. In this case, antibiotics are used.

More infections like that bacterial dysentery (Shigellosis) or the Amoebic dysentery, are rather rare in Germany. In the case of shigellosis, there are drugs against gastrointestinal disease, which are mostly used here Antibiotics administered. The Amoebic dysentery is with the special antibiotic Metronidazole treated.

Also one Cholera infectioncaused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, doesn't actually exist in Germany anymore. Nevertheless, there are always cases in which patients come from vacation and, for example in India, have become infected with the pathogen. In this case it comes to very watery diarrhea, to severe abdominal pain, Vomit and nausea. Medicines for gastrointestinal disease are often not necessary, but care must be taken to ensure that the patient enough liquid and Electrolytes takes. In some cases, the Treatment with antibiotic be useful.

So general are almost all infections of the gastrointestinal tract cure with antibiotic, whereby drugs against gastrointestinal diseases are often not necessary. Mainly because of always increasing resistances of the bacteria by one uncontrolled use of antibiotics, meanwhile, many doctors try to avoid drugs for gastrointestinal diseases and the patient primarily to be treated symptomatically. This means that the patient instead of drugs for the gastrointestinal disease especially enough fluids should take in and also his Balance electrolytes should. Nevertheless, in the case of infections such as chronic gastritis due to a Helicobacter pylori infection, it makes sense to use drugs against the gastrointestinal disease in order to avoid longer-term consequences.

Medicines for inflammation of the stomach lining

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis) can have many different causes. Is the gastritis bacterial causeso it can make sense Antibiotics to take against the disease. To relieve the pain, the patient can also take other drugs for the gastrointestinal disease, for example a Painkiller how Paracetamol. However, in order to treat gastritis properly, the patient should also take other drugs for the gastrointestinal disease. These drugs include the Antacids, the one buffering effect on the Stomach acid have that H2 receptor blockers or Antihistamines, the Proton pump inhibitors how Pantoprazole and the Prokineticsthat ensure that the patient does not keep getting sick.

Medicines for hemorrhoids / anal fissures

At hemorrhoids and Anal fissures, i.e. tears around the butt hole, the only long-term therapy for the patient is often this Possibility of surgery. Nevertheless, the patient can try beforehand to take various drugs against the gastrointestinal diseases in order to make the pain more bearable. The patient can do this on the one hand Pain medication take, but only one short term help promise, moreover, the patient can so-called Laxatives take in. These ensure that the Stool becomes very soft and thus the asshole (anus) do not irritate any further from too hard stool.

Medicines for inflammatory bowel disease

Medicines for gastrointestinal diseases are supposed to make the patient feel better and the patient's disease is cured. Unfortunately, this is not possible with all diseases. In ulcerative colitis, for example, although it is possible to improve the symptoms, it is not possible to completely heal the disease. However, there are various drugs for gastrointestinal disease that can make the patient feel better in an acute episode. These include above all aminosalicylates, such as mesalazine and sulfasalazine. These drugs against gastrointestinal disease ensure that the inflammation is inhibited so that the disease cannot break out completely.

There are also drugs that suppress the immune system and thus prevent an acute flare-up of ulcerative colitis from developing. These include corticosteroids, azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine, ciclospoprine A and tacrolimus, and the antibody infliximab. A preventive therapy in which drugs against the gastrointestinal disease are also taken outside of the acute episode is only guaranteed with aminosalicylates. All other drugs are only intended for the acute episode.

In addition to ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease is also one of the chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. Here too, drugs are administered against gastrointestinal diseases, with anti-inflammatory agents also playing a major role. Usually budesonide or prednisolone are used, which consist of cortisone-like structures and are therefore anti-inflammatory. In some cases, however, the effect of the drugs is not sufficient, which is why azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine must be used as drugs against gastrointestinal diseases. Which drugs are used in each case is different for each patient and should be discussed with the attending physician again with each attack.

Taking medication during pregnancy

Medicines for gastrointestinal diseases in pregnancy are often to be taken with caution because with many drugs it is unclear whether they do endanger the unborn child or not. Nevertheless, many patients would like drugs for gastrointestinal diseases during pregnancy, as many patients are taking it nausea (Nausea), Eructation (Heartburn, reflux) and Vomit Suffer. Often, instead of taking medication, it is sufficient to ensure that the patient is more and more smaller meals eats large meals instead of 3 times a day. This can prevent the stomach from stretching too much and causing repeated belching and nausea.

A patient suffers tremendous nauseawho you that Life difficult and can lead to the fact that she no longer feels any appetite Combination of the active ingredients of Antihistamine Doxylamine and vitamin B be very helpful. This drug against gastrointestinal diseases is completely safe during pregnancy, as it is the no harm to the unborn child. Even medication with that Active ingredient ondansetron and Metoclopramide can be administered during pregnancy without increasing the risk of malformations in the unborn child. Suffering from a pregnant patient tremendous heartburn (Reflux) during pregnancy, despite pregnancy, she can take medication for gastrointestinal diseases. the so-called Antacids. This preventthat in the stomach too much excess acid which in turn prevents the acid from traveling up the esophagus.

Nevertheless, it is very important to take care that the patient only as few medications as necessary takes because every drug carries the risk of harming the unborn child. At serious gastrointestinal disorderssuch as a inflammatory bowel disease, it may still be necessary in an acute episode of the patient Administer cortisone, even if this could possibly harm the child. However, it is better to administer the drug instead of risking premature or stillbirth due to the acute flare-up. In general, any drug for gastrointestinal diseases during pregnancy discussed in detail with the gynecologist and family doctor because they should know what could and may not harm the child.

Taking medication while breastfeeding

Breastfeeding patients often have the problem that they do not know exactly which medication they can take without harming their child. Some Medicines for gastrointestinal diseases have the property that they be absorbed into breast milk and thus the patient unconsciously passes the active ingredient of the drug on to the child through breast milk and breastfeeding. The Combination of breastfeeding and medication However, it is also to be taken against gastrointestinal diseases not impossible. However, there are some gastrointestinal drugs that breastfeeding mothers can take. Here is just pay Attention tothat the patient is taking drugs that contain the Child can tolerate and with which the child has no problems.

For example, in a Abdominal influenza With nausea and Vomit the Drug Vomex® be taken. Although this does not cure the disease, it can help the patient to overcome the persistent nausea. Instead of taking medication for gastrointestinal disease, however, it can also help if the nursing mother tries to use Vegetable broth, Dried blueberry tea and especially lots of rest and sleep to cure the disease naturally.

Generally speaking, a nursing mother as little medication as possible should take while breastfeeding. Also the Use of paracetamol and Ibuprofen becomes seen very criticallyOn the one hand, because the patient only treats the pain with it, but not the gastrointestinal disease itself, and on the other hand mainly because it treats the pain Paracetamol in high doses is extremely harmful to the baby is. For other gastrointestinal diseases, such as one Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), one Appendicitis or something similar, it may be necessary that the Patient wean her child must be able to take appropriate medication for gastrointestinal disease.

Read more about here Medication during breastfeeding.

Medicines for botulism

In which botulism is it a acute food poisoning. Here are mainly about Canned meat with salted meat and the like, bacteria of the genus Clostridium botulinum recorded. These own a Poison (toxin) for the patient extremely dangerous can be. It comes to diarrhea, Vomit, Visual disturbances and then to Signs of paralysis. Instead of drugs for gastrointestinal disease, here is the one Administration of the antidote (Antitoxins) extremely important because otherwise it would lead to a Paralysis of the lungs and thus to Apnea can come.

Medication for a tapeworm

There are several forms of tapeworm infection. Depending on which animal the patient was infected with, there are also different drugs against gastrointestinal diseases. In the case of a pork tapeworm infection, anti-worm agents are used. These drugs against gastrointestinal diseases are known as antihelmintics (worming agents). In the case of pork tapeworm, the drugs niclosamide or praziquantel are used.

Read more on this topic at: Worms in the intestines

In the case of a beef tapeworm infection, however, anti-helmintics are also used, usually also niclosamide. In some cases, however, praziquantel or mebendazole can also be used as drugs against gastrointestinal diseases. For fox or dog tapeworms, an operation is often performed to remove the worms. However, there is also the option of taking medication against gastrointestinal diseases. Mebendazole or albendazole are particularly suitable here, as these ensure that the worm cannot continue to grow and multiply.

The fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum) there are also drugs against gastrointestinal disease. Mostly praziquantel or niclosamide are taken in the form of tablets, as they are anti-worm agents. If you are infected with the dwarf tapeworm (Hymenolepis nana) are drugs against the gastrointestinal disease niclosamide or alternatively praziquantel. In most cases, however, the patients do not need any medication against the gastrointestinal disease despite the infection, as the worms disappear on their own after a while as long as the patient observes adequate hygienic standards, such as hand washing etc.

Read more on the topic Medicines for worms

Medicines for appendicitis

At a Appendicitis (appendicitis) is a acute inflammation of Appendixwhich mostly with severe pain and Vomit goes hand in hand. Mostly will no medication used against gastrointestinal disease but rather the The patient is operated on directly. In some rare cases, however, it may be useful to use the inflammation Antibiotics to treat.

Relief of the discomfort

Medicines for gastrointestinal diseases should Relieve discomfort and help the patient that To make illness more bearable. Furthermore, the medication should ensure that the Patient will recover faster and can actively participate in life again. There are various options for alleviating the symptoms using medication for gastrointestinal diseases.

Particularly common complaints are nausea, Vomit or Diarrheathat can occur during gastrointestinal illness. There are various drugs against gastrointestinal diseases that Fight ailments thus making it easier for the patient to get well. These include on the one hand the Nausea medication (Antiemetics). These drugs include very many drug groups, for example aprepitant, betahistine, Cinnarizine, Dimenhydrina, Domperidone, Granisetron, Metoclopramide, Ondansetron, scopolamine and many more.

More drugs for gastrointestinal diseases that Fight complaints effectively as well, are anti-vomiting drugs. The above also help here Antiemetics, however, it is also very important that the patient has the lost fluid and the lost food and Balances electrolytes by eating soups and the like.

Another common symptom is that Diarrhea during gastrointestinal illness. To alleviate these symptoms with drugs for gastrointestinal diseases, it helps to Medicines such as Iberogast®, Omep® Hexal or Loperamid to take. It is also extremely important here that that lost water as well as the compensated for lost electrolytes so that the patient can recover more quickly.