The Gastric Protector Known as Omeprazole Increases Your Risk of Death

A study has discovered that using a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) raises mortality risk

Anyone who has suffered from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn will probably confess that the experience can be extremely painful. They will also tell you that finding relief is important but very difficult. Most of them use medication to find this relief. But a study conducted in 2017 by scientists from Washington University of Medicine discovered that using a PPI, particularly the PPI known as omeprazole or Prilosec, increases the risk of dying.

The lead researcher of the study, Dr. Ziyad Al Ayi, said the following disturbing statement:

“If 500 patients took the medication for about a year, then there would be one excess death that could be attributed to using this class of medication called PPI.”

Turns out PPI use leads to a form of liver disease

Another study has questioned the prescription of PPIs that have ingredients like omeprazole in them. The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study in 2015 that found that these drugs (PPIs), commonly used to alleviate indigestion problems that are severe, can cause permanent damage to the kidneys.

Nearly 40% of PPI users are using it unnecessarily, and that is where the problem is – more studies shed light

According to a study conducted by Pradeep Arora that involved 76,462 participants, 24.4% of patients with chronic liver disease (CKD) were taking PPIs. This study outlines how too many people with CKD are using PPIs. Another study conducted by CMAJ that involved 290,000 participants that were 65 years old and older discovered that those people who were regularly using PPIs as a long term treatment doubled their risk of kidney failure. PPIs are difficult for the kidneys to filter out, which leads to liver damage. In more serious cases, this can lead to death.

A common cause of heartburn is bacteria called H. pylori, and PPIs just mask their symptoms instead of treating them

It is vital to get rid of these bacteria using antibiotics that your doctor prescribed. But  luckily, a couple of simple things going on in your stomach can cause heart burn and they can be treated naturally without taking medicine that could further put your body at risk.

Try looking into alternative treatments first before resorting to PPIs.

Avoid these common triggers of heartburn and indigestion

• Spicy food creates discomfort in the esophagus and stomach if they already have heartburn sensitivity.
• Dairy products require too much acid to get digested, which can lead to heartburn.
• Carbonated drinks perpetuate indigestion because carbonation creates an acidic response by disrupting the stomach.
• Caffeine in tea, coffee and soda makes the lower esophagus sphincter relax, which lets acid in the throat.
• Fruit can lead to indigestion when consumed while the stomach is empty because it is acidic.

Try eating strategically by looking for these items next time you go shopping

• Bananas can neutralize the acid in your stomach.
• Apple cider vinegar is acid, but some individuals get acid reflux because they have too little acid, and this response can be calmed by bringing in a foreign acid.
• Grab a cup of water and add a tbsp. of baking soda and then drink it to neutralize the stomach acid.