Heartburn medications are safe for most people, while on the other hand, are capable of endangering the health of the user. You may be a patient of a particular infection and your solution is by taking heartburn meds which you may have discussed with your doctor. But the question here is, what are the infections and other dangerous side effects which may occur as a result of taking heartburn medications? Should you consider stopping taking yours? What might happen as a result of your continuous intake of heartburn medications? You will be aware of the side effects you need to know about heartburn medications from this article. Before that, you should know what a PPI is.
What Are Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI’s)
Proton pump inhibitors are commonly used heartburn medications you can get hold of. The basic function of a proton pump inhibitor is in the reduction of gastric acid which is being produced and as a result of the reduction, helps reduce heartburn which the acid causes.
Health Risks of Heartburn Medications
Reduces Body Defense
Most cases of chest burn and pain are caused by gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD). It also causes a precancerous change in the throat lining. PPIs help in the reduction of heartburn by stopping the production of acid in the body which is the primary cause of heartburn. However, one of the primary Zantac risks includes the reduction of this acid which weakens the stomach’s defense against harmful microorganisms.
C.difficile is an organism that causes diarrhea but could worsen and cause inflammation of the colon. These cases are mostly found in adults who are undergoing anti-bacterial treatment in a hospital with antibiotics. However, C. difficile also appears in individuals who are not undergoing any treatment. People who are using PPIs stand a high risk of getting sick with C. difficile.
Call for help by letting your doctor know when you notice severe diarrhea, most importantly after an intake of antibiotics.
Kidney Damage
A patient’s risk of developing kidney problems such as kidney failure and chronic kidney increases while in use of PPIs. When the stomach lacks acid for its protection, the last option of protection is the kidney, and the kidney becomes strained and at high risk of failure when a lot of whole toxic waste is left in it. Kidney disease is gradual and one wouldn’t notice the effects of their kidney being damaged till it’s too late.
Nutrient Reduction In The Body
The reduction of acid levels in the stomach with PPIs absorbs various important nutrients of the body like; magnesium, iron, vitamins, calcium. And the reduction of calcium in the body is very dangerous because it causes weaker bones and exposes the bones to a high risk of fractures.
Experiencing any low levels of certain vitamins and minerals in a body without ill health is possible. Certain vitamins that require the help of acid with absorption can be affected by PPIs. Some health issues from vitamin deficiency are unusual, and it is important to monitor the blood levels of B12 patients on a long-term PPI regularly.
In men, the risk of weekend bones which may lead to harmful bone fractures caused by calcium deficiency is low. The hip fractures in male is at low risk, so the risk seen with the use of PPI doesn’t change the whole risk.
Pregnancy Risk
Babies who are born to mothers who used PPIs during pregnancy are at high risk to develop congenital heart defects. These defects are most common in being septal defects which are holes seen in the heart. This is a very deadly issue that mothers could attract to their babies just by the use of PPIs. If you are going through a health issue and your solution is the use of PPI, it is not totally a bad idea, but you should abstain from the use of PPIs during your pregnancy period.
Mothers out there should be aware to find other means of treatment if undergoing a health issue, remember to abstain from PPIs during your pregnancy period.
High Risk Of Pneumonia
As a result of your stomach lacking acid to defend the body, bacteria begin to multiply in the stomach because the stomach lacks defense. Not only will the bacteria multiply in the stomach, but they will also journey themselves up to the lungs and begin to weaken the lungs too, thereby exposing the lungs to a high risk of infection.
Not everyone is in the situation to abandon their PPIs, this includes ulcer patients who also take aspirin for their heart protection and Barrett’s esophagus patients. But to make this decision, you need to determine your health status first which you could discuss with your doctor. But this choice is not applicable for pregnant mothers. Pregnant mothers should consult their doctors for proper care.
