Why doctors prescribe some medicines before food and some after food?

       The food which we take interferes with the absorption of many drugs. So the effective amount of drug that enters the blood from the stomach and reach the site of action is altered. Depending on the mode of actions the doctors prescribe them "to be taken after or before meals."

       Most of the drugs are known to irritate the stomach or increase acid secretion in the stomach leading to discomfort or pain in the stomach, chest burning and occasionally nausea and vomiting. To decrease these side effects some drugs are taken post meals.

     Most of the drugs are advised to be taken along with warm plain water. This is to avoid any possible reaction between the active compounds in the drugs and milk, or curd or tea.

      Some drugs does not cause any side effects while taking in an empty stomach and may need to be fuly absorbed by the blood stream. In such cases drug is advised to be taken before food.
                                                     

                                                                   Excerpted from an article in The Hindu 

  

Gastritis and the Grumbling Stomach

  Gastritis is a common medical problem o the stomach. Ever felt abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constant hiccups? Then you might be one of the more than 10% of people who come to a hospital emergency department with gastritis.            The stomach is an organ of the digestive systemf, located in the abdomen just below the ribs. Swallowed food is mixed with gastric juices containing enzymes and hydrochloric acid. The lining of the stomach called the Epithelium is layered with multiple folds. The epithelium is coated with mucus (gastric mucosa) secreted by special glands. Inflammation caused by gastritis occurs in this lining.      

Gastritis occurs when a bacterium, Helicobacter Pylori, or the chronic use of drugs or certain medications weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum, allowing acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. This bacterium is also responsible for most peptic ulcers.

              Gastritis is not just one disease but a group of conditions, all of which result in the inflammation of the stomach lining. This means that white blood cells move into the wall of the stomach as a response to an injury to the stomach. Commonly, the inflammation results from infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. Yet other factors such as traumatic injury and regular use of certain pain relievers can also contribute to gastritis.

              Gastritis may be caused by many factors including infection, alcohol, particular medications and some allergic and immune conditions. It can be either acute, with severe attacks lasting a day or two, or chronic, with long term appetite loss or nausea.

STOMACH GROWLING

The rumbles, gurgles and growls you sometimes hear from your abdomen typically are due to normal digestion. Hunger and appetite are controlled by a complex system of hormone-like substances primarily made by our digestive system. When we have not eaten for a while, these substances are released and cause a part of our brain called the ‘hypothalamus’ to "switch on" our desire to eat. A message is then sent to our stomach and intestines. This triggers muscle contractions and the release of acids and other digestive fluids as our body prepares for you to eat. The thought, sight or smell of food also can trigger this same response — growling, rumbling and gurgling, from our intestines.
Sometimes, stomach growling or rumbling can be a symptom of an underlying gastrointestinal disorder, for example, irritable bowel syndrome. But in such cases, excessive abdominal noise usually is accompanied by other symptoms such as bloating, cramping, diarrhea or excess gas.