While acid reflux doesn’t typically cause constipation, some medications for acid reflux may cause side effects, including constipation. People can also have both acid reflux and constipation.
Acid reflux, or acid indigestion, develops when your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that acts as a valve between the esophagus and stomach, relaxes or doesn’t close properly. This allows stomach contents to back up into the esophagus.
When acid reflux becomes frequent or chronic, it’s known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Constipation means having hard, dry bowel movements or going fewer than three times a week.
While GERD doesn’t cause constipation, people can have both at the same time. Constipation may result from other digestive system disorders or from medications that help manage GERD.
Read on to learn more about how constipation can occur as a result of treatments for acid reflux or GERD treatment.
Prescription medications for GERD, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), may cause constipation or other bowel symptoms in some people.
PPIs reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, which can help heal the esophageal lining and treat GERD symptoms. However, they can also cause digestive side effects.
Experts recommend that most people use them for
You may be able to reduce constipation from PPIs by:
Eating more fiber
Foods high in fiber do not usually contribute to reflux. They can also add bulk to your stool, making it easier to pass. It’s important to add fiber slowly to avoid side effects like gas and bloating.
Examples of high fiber foods include:
- whole-grain breads
- fresh fruits
- vegetables
Drinking more water
Increase the amount of water you drink every day. If you don’t have fluid restrictions related to your health, drinking more water can work with fiber to make your stool easier to pass. You can also try sipping hydrating drinks that may also help acid reflux, such as:
Exercising regularly
Exercise promotes intestinal movement, which helps your stool pass. Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week, with a goal of 30 minutes per day at least five times weekly. Try walking, swimming, or biking.
Talking with your doctor before starting an exercise regimen is always best.
Taking an OTC medication
There are many types of constipation medication that you can buy over the counter:
- Osmotic laxatives make stool easier to pass. Examples include polyethylene glycol 3350 (Miralax) and magnesium.
- Stool softeners soften hard stool. An example is docusate (Dulcolax).
- Fiber supplements add bulk to stool.
- Stimulant laxatives cause your intestines to contract and move more stool. Examples include bisacodyl (Dulcolax).
Doctors do not recommend taking these medications regularly. If you have chronic constipation, discuss it with your doctor. They can determine the cause and prescribe the right treatment.
Some people may use probiotics such as Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus. More research is needed to support using probiotics as an effective treatment for constipation.
If you and your doctor decide to stop PPIs due to side effects, you may be able to manage acid reflux with specific lifestyle changes. These can include:
- Avoiding tight-fitting clothing: Tight clothes can squeeze acid upward, contributing to reflux. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes can help prevent this.
- Sitting up for at least three hours after eating: This can help keep acid from refluxing.
- Sleep at a slight angle. Keep your upper body about 6 to 8 inches higher. Lifting your bed with blocks can help.
- Quitting smoking, if you smoke: This can help reduce your symptoms. So can avoiding secondhand smoke.
- Avoiding certain foods and drinks: Avoiding acid reflux trigger foods, such as spicy or greasy foods, chocolate, alcohol, and beverages that contain caffeine, may help reduce acid reflux.
Some OTC medications may help treat acid reflux. This includes antacids, which help to neutralize excess stomach acid. Examples include:
- aluminum-hydroxide-magnesium-hydroxide-simethicone (Maalox)
- calcium carbonate (Tums)
- dihydroxy aluminum sodium (Rolaids)
Another medication type called H2 blockers reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Examples of these medications include:
- cimetidine (Tagamet)
- famotidine (Pepcid)
- nizatidine (Axid)
Your doctor may prescribe medications for GERD that can cause digestive side effects, including constipation. Specific lifestyle changes, like eating more fiber and staying hydrated, and OTC remedies may provide relief.
If lifestyle changes and OTC medications aren’t effective in treating your constipation, consider talking with a doctor. They may recommend changes to your GERD treatment or ways to reduce side effects.
It’s also possible to have both GERD and chronic constipation. Your doctor can determine the underlying cause and prescribe an appropriate treatment.