Why do tums help with stomach aches?

Calcium Carbonate:

Tums contain the active ingredient calcium carbonate, an antacid that helps to neutralize stomach acid. When you take a Tums tablet, the calcium carbonate reacts with the hydrochloric acid in your stomach to form carbon dioxide gas and calcium chloride. The carbon dioxide gas creates a pressure that helps push the stomach contents back into the esophagus, which provides temporary relief from heartburn and indigestion.

Buffering Agents:

Calcium carbonate also helps to act as a buffer in your stomach, which means that it can help maintain a more neutral pH level. Stomachaches caused by excess acid can be alleviated by tums, as it neutralizes the acid and buffers the stomach's pH.

Sodium Bicarbonate:

Some Tums tablets also contain sodium bicarbonate, another antacid that can help relieve heartburn and indigestion. Sodium bicarbonate works in a similar way to calcium carbonate by neutralizing stomach acid and creating carbon dioxide gas.

Other Ingredients:

In addition to the active ingredients mentioned above, Tums tablets may also contain other ingredients like sweeteners, flavors, and binders. These ingredients help to make the tablets more palatable and easier to take.

Speed of Relief:

Tums are relatively quick-acting antacids and usually start to provide relief within a few minutes of taking the tablet. This is because the active ingredients in Tums begin to react with stomach acid immediately upon ingestion.

It's important to note that Tums and other antacids provide temporary relief from stomachaches caused by excess acid. If you are experiencing persistent or severe stomach pain, you should consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.