subject: The Side Effects Of Proton Pump Inhibitors (ppi's) [print this page] Finding a cure for acid reflux, GERD, and heartburn can sometimes be an endless struggle for people, sometimes they can take a simple over-the-counter medication and the symptoms will disappear and other times people have to try a variety of medications to get rid of the problem.
If heartburn or acid reflux occurs more and more often, you should seek medical help, your doctor might suggest or prescribe some type of medication called proton pump inhibitors.
What are proton pump inhibitors?
These are medications such as Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid to name a few.
These drugs are extremely effective at blocking the acid production of the digestive system. However, before using them, you should know about the side effects of PPI's. This is very important, because you might just change your mind once you know about the side effects.
What are the side effects from using these drugs?
Proton pump inhibitor side effects will depend on several characteristics like: the person age, how severe is the patient condition, the amount of dosage and how long is the treatment. Here are some of the most known side effects of PPI's;
Calcium deficiency- this can be caused if you are taking the medication and your stomach does not produce enough acid. Not being able to produce a sufficient amount of stomach acid can cause a decrease in calcium consumption in the body because it will not break down properly in the digestive system. If you are concerned about calcium deficiency you should speak to your doctor about this side effect to decide if a proton pump inhibitor is right for you.
. Diarrhea - acid stomach serves several purposes, and among them, the need to fight bacteria. If you have been on these medications for a long period of time, you might not have enough acid in your system to combat unneeded bacteria, thus resulting in side effects like diarrhea. Using these drugs without professional surveillance can create a dangerous addiction that can severely disrupt the normal process of your whole digestive system.
Taking this form of medication may be necessary in some patients but extended use is not recommended.
If you are on medication for heartburn and having a hard time getting rid of the symptoms, then you might need to change some old habits.
You can eliminate the need for medications by making simple changes in your diet.
If you write a journal of food that causes you a belly ache you might just put an end to your digestive problems. It's not hard to figure out, just remember that everyone reacts differently to food, and you have to find out what are the food you need to eliminate from your diet.
It's logical to think that if you suffer from heartburn because your system produces too much acid, then you should stay away from acidic products like tomatoes, oranges, citrus drinks and any other food highly acidic.
Before getting into the habit of taking proton pump inhibitors, you should consult with a specialist to find out other ways to reduce your digestive problem.
