Baking Soda

I don't know about a baking soda pill, but usually it is just plain old household baking soda, mixed in water. It is effective and reasonably safe. However, that is for the occasional use for heartburn or acid stomach. For long term use, it is not so safe and you need to be aware of potential issues, such as the high sodium levels in it, same as using too much salt, and interaction with any other medications you may take. Plus, chronic use can actually worsen gastric reflux, as it relaxes your gastroesophageal sphincter.

So, before you think you have found nirvana and the solution to your acid stomach problem, you need to discuss it with your doctor and make sure it is a good choice for you.

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/dru...um+Bicarbonate++Oral

Jan

Has anyone tried baking soda enemas for pouchitis?

Yeeshh! (wouldn't it tickle?)
...on the other hand, as an old home remedy they squeeze half a lemon into a glass, ad water and then a tbls of baking soda and drink Fast! It is apparently very effective (for occasional use).
Sharon

quote:

half a lemon into a glass, ad water and then a tbls of baking soda

Maybe this is the mixture to use in lieu of a tap water enema. I am going to talk to my GI about it. I don't like traditional enemas that you have to hold in for a certain period in order to gain some therapeutic value. A daily enema that quickly cleanses the pouch might be a better strategy.

Just be fore warned that lemon juice and baking soda makes for a lot of fizz (think science fair volcano). Not sure that is what you want to put in your pouch (unless you enjoy gas expansion in there!). Tap water is perfect for just rinsing.

Jan

Sorry but I must have mis-written...I meant to Drink for indigestion, NOT to use as an enema!!!!
Sharon

No Sharon, I think it was understood you were talking about oral use. CT was just wondering about the possibility of using it for an enema rinse. It sort of makes sense, particularly if you are having problems with bile acids. I just never heard of it being used that way. One time, someone suggested yogurt enemas, but I don't know what happened there. I would think you would not want undigested food in there, as it would just feed bacteria, but who knows?

Jan

Jan is right, I was just thinking of different uses for that mixture. I had read about the thinking behind putting baking soda in toothpaste and wondered whether the same thinking could be put into development of a baking soda enema. I am willing to try it if my Doctor authorizes it. I would think it would probably be best to start with less baking soda and see what happens.

It should be noted that basically sodium is an ingredient in all other laxative enemas that are designed to flush you out. I just thought that perhaps we can try something to periodically flush out the bacteria that is overgrown in my pouch and causing the pouchitis.

Yes, and if you were going to do it, I would forego the lemon juice or vinegar, otherwise you'd have a big, foamy mess. Baking soda by itself would probably react with your pouch contents as it is.

However, I think you are misunderstanding the purpose of sodium in other enemas, such as Fleets. Those are concentrated salt enemas, and are not specifically for "flushing out," but work by drawing water from the intestinal wall by diffusion (simple chemical physics). Sometimes too much salt can be absorbed in the process, and that is why those things can be a problem for folks with kidney failure or hypertension. Anyway, the water moving into the bowel softens stool and induces a movement.

We usually do not need that (we have plenty of liquid in there and hard stool is not an issue), and that is why tap water enemas are recommended. Rinses things out, just like flushing the toilet! A little salt or soda won't hurt anything, but I doubt it makes much of a difference, especially when it is in there for less than a minute.

Jan

When I was a kid they did glycerine enemas using liquid glycerine soap (looks caramel coloured)...1tbs/enema bag....not sure if they still do it or what it does or doesn't help...but it was very effective.
Sharon

Castile soap used to be the "thing" many years ago. They have since dispensed with it, because it can cause irritation and didn't really "do" anything. It is the bulk of the water that does the cleansing and stimulation for a bowel movement.

Jan

Off subject, I remember brushing my teeth with baking soda and also with salt when I was a kid, back in the "mid century" time of the 60's.

Sometimes we take things for granted, like fluoridated tooth paste. Staples like tooth paste, soap, shampoo etc. are only passed out at food pantries if they are donated.

Yup, here they still use it with or in or instead of toothpaste, deodorant, foot powder (mixed with cornstarch), baby powder etc...very useful...between vinager, baking soda and salt you can clean and refresh most of your body and house (great for bag odours and vinager can remove those stains from leaky pouches)...
Sharon

I take just plain baking soda (mixed with water of course)ot a glass of milk. I've heard many times that aloe vera juice also work (article about benefits of aloe drink). Of course they all just cover up the symptoms and not treating the disease of course, but at least it's safe.

Sodium bicarbonate tabs? They're very cheap. My dog was on them for Fanconi's Disorder for years. 1,000 tabs = $30 here.

It's OTC, no prescription necessary.