Are you worried about how to treat your kid’s digestive issues, such as acid indigestion, and wondering whether to give them tums?
In fact, I faced the same issue with my boy last week.
So Can kids have tums?
Tums are generally safe for adults, but they are not recommended for children under 12. Tums contain calcium carbonate, a type of antacid that neutralizes stomach acid.
While calcium is an essential nutrient important for children’s development, large amounts of calcium carbonate can interfere with the absorption of other minerals. They may cause side effects such as constipation.
In addition, children may be more sensitive to the effects of medications and may have different dosing requirements.
In this article, I will talk about different types of antacids, the side effects of having antacids on children, and precautions to take. I will also talk about the dosage of tums for different age groups.
Why do kids have digestive issues?
There are many reasons why children may experience digestive issues and upset stomachs. Some common causes include:
Eating too much: Children may eat too much at once, leading to indigestion and stomach upset.
Eating too fast: Children may eat too quickly, which can lead to swallowing air and causing gas and bloating.
Eating certain foods: Some children may be sensitive to certain foods and may develop an upset stomach after eating them.
Infections: Children may develop infections that can cause digestive issues, such as stomach flu or food poisoning.
Constipation: Constipation is a common digestive issue in children and can be caused by various factors, including a diet low in fiber, not drinking enough fluids, and a lack of physical activity.
Stress: Children may experience digestive issues due to stress or anxiety, which leads to frequent stomach aches.
It is important to speak with a healthcare provider if a child is experiencing digestive issues regularly. They can help determine the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Different types of antacids?
Antacids are a type of medication that can help neutralize the acid in the stomach. They are commonly used to relieve symptoms of indigestion, stomach ache, heartburn, and acid reflux.
Antacids contain one or more active ingredients that neutralize acid reflux in the stomach, such as aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or sodium. Antacids are available over the counter and do not require a prescription.
Usually, antacids consist of two or more of the following salts:
- Calcium carbonate
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Magnesium carbonate
- Magnesium hydroxide
- Aluminum hydroxide
Antacids for younger children
Can kids have tums ? Yes, antacids can relieve symptoms of indigestion and heartburn and treat acid reflux in children, but they should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. It is important to use the correct dosage and follow the label’s instructions carefully.
It is also important to consider the potential for interactions with other medications that a child may be taking or with the child’s diet. If you are considering giving an antacid to a child, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
How does giving your child tums benefit them?
Children eat what they want, leading to “stomach pain.”. You can hear them complaining, “my stomach hurts.” You can also notice that they are complaining about gastroesophageal reflux disease. This can irritate the child and put you in agony. So Tums come to help to alleviate the pain. Made up of calcium carbonate, they supplement the calcium in the stomach.
Tums help reduce stomach acid, help heal the esophageal lining, and can work as a calcium supplement.
Taking tums also helps in relieving the gas pain in the stomach. If your kid is lactose intolerant and has trouble intaking and digesting dairy products such as milk and ice cream, then taking tums can act as a calcium supplement.
They are chewable tablets that are taken orally. Comes in different powers, such as 500mg, 700mg to 1000mg. Take a look at the instruction leaflet before taking different power dosages and if your kid is sensitive to some drug allergy, then contact your doctor first.
What about dosages?
Dosages are important to track while providing Tums to kids, as their bodies may react differently. Children’s bodies are more sensitive than adults and can react more to an external agency.
Tums are not recommended in larger dosages as it increases the risk of kidney stones in prone patients. Patients with a history of Gastrointestinal bleeding should avoid having Tums.
Use the maximum dosage for up to two weeks unless you’re under a doctor’s supervision. Take at most 3 tablets (ages 2-5) or 6 tablets (ages 6-11) in 24 hours. Below is a chart to help you out:
Does having Tums have side effects?
Yeah, as all medicines have their side effects, Tums, too, has some of its own:
- Gas
- Changes in the skin, such as rashes and blistered skin
- Products containing magnesium can cause Diarrhoea
- Constipation can really irritate the child
- It can lead to the development of kidney stones as it gets absorbed with other medications.
- It can cause weariness, irritation, headaches, and nausea.
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
Immediately stop giving medications to your child if such symptoms arise and see your doctor.
What precautions to take?
The precautions mention below must be taken before giving Tums to your child:
- First, taking tums is not, and should not, be a long-term solution. If your child’s symptoms last for more than a week, it is advisable to seek medical intervention. The medicine might not be suitable for your child and might cause harm.
- If you are giving your child chewable tablets, ensure that the tablet is dissolved in water and not swallowed whole.
- It is also a good idea to read the ingredients for any possible allergic elements that might be there. This medicine usually contains active ingredients like milk, which might not be suitable for everyone and can cause discomfort.
- Lastly, suppose your child has any pre-existing conditions such as kidney problems, hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), and stomach or intestinal issues. In that case, it is best to consult a doctor before using this medicine.
- If your child is lactose intolerant, then precautions must be taken before giving antacids such as tums to your kid, as it can evoke a response that is not favorable.
Keep in mind that it is always better to consult a pediatrician before giving meds to children. However, taking these precautions can also go a long way in keeping your child safer.
Here are some other questions that are often asked:
FAQs
Q1: What are some other ways to avoid heartburn?
Ans: Whether for children or adults, triggering foods can cause heartburn and cause acid reflux. A lifestyle change can go a long way in avoiding these. For children, avoiding too much activity before and after meals, taking smaller but more regular meals, etc., are some ways to prevent these symptoms.
Q2: Will it interfere with other medication?
Ans: Tums can interfere with certain medications since they sometimes contain aspirin. Although this is something not seen frequently in children, there have been cases of serious bleeding caused by antacids in adults. In any case, it is best to be cautious if your child is also on other medication.
Q3: Can tums be a long-term solution?
Ans: No. It is not a good idea to continue giving your child tums regularly. If the symptoms continue, it might indicate an underlying issue that needs to be looked at. In the long run, continued usage of this medicine may lead to kidney problems.
Q4: Where should I store it?
Ans. It is advisable to store this between 15 and 30° C. If the chewable tablets look squashed or melted, it is best to discard them.
Conclusion:
Which of the tips in this post are you going to attempt first? I now want to hear from you.
Recognize that they can be acting to attract attention. They might only require a friendly discussion, a hug, or playfulness. Lastly, call your doctor and get guidance if they are exhibiting symptoms that indicate their stomach hurts (such as Diarrhoea or loss of appetite).
Alternatively, perhaps I missed something.
In either case, please inform me immediately by posting a comment below.
