ANTACIDS AND YOUR LUNGS

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ANTACIDS AND YOUR LUNGS Antacids, such as Prilosec and Nexium, taken to suppress stomach acid and control heartburn and acid reflux, are among the bestselling medicines in the US. However, a recent Dutch study questions the safety of these drugs, suggesting that they may raise the risk for pneumonia. Although the risk is small, so many people take them that a large number might be affected. Link: Stomach acid not only plays a valuable role in the digestive process, it also kills bacteria and viruses such as those that cause pneumonia and influenza. According to Daily Health News contributing editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND, one also has to ask: Do acid-suppressing drugs similarly cause increased vulnerability to the flu? In his view, there is no such thing as "excess stomach acid." Dr. Rubman believes that there are safer ways to control heartburn and reflux, and suppressing stomach acid is not the answer. ABOUT THE STUDY Researchers in the Netherlands examined the medical records of 364,683 individuals, in whom 5,551 cases of pneumonia were diagnosed. They found that those who used proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs (such as Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid), were almost twice as likely to risk developing pneumonia than former users. These drugs work by blocking the chemical pump necessary for stomach cells to make acid. People who took another class of acid-suppressing drugs known as H2 receptor antagonists (including Tagamet, Pepcid and Zantac) also faced a higher risk, although to a lesser degree. Older people and those with chronic lung conditions were especially vulnerable, and researchers recommended that these groups use acid-suppressing drugs only when necessary and at the lowest possible dose. WHAT YOU CAN DO According to Dr. Rubman, using antacids on a short-term basis for two to three weeks is fine for stomach ulcers or acute gastritis. However, on a day-to-day basis he advises that you instead follow a natural approach to efficient digestion... * Eat slowly and take more time to chew your food thoroughly. * Do not drink fluids with meals. In the absence of fluid, saliva becomes more concentrated and contributes to more efficient digestion of food. * Do not lie down immediately after meals Do wait at least an hour. * Do not eat late at night. * Identify and avoid the foods that contribute to your heartburn. Common offenders include fried foods, fatty foods, spicy dishes, coffee, alcohol and chocolate. * Stop smoking. * If you are overweight, make an effort to shed pounds.If despite following these measures you experience heartburn and reflux, Dr. Rubman recommends that you see a naturopathic physician. He/she can prescribe a digestive enzyme to take with meals, which will calm your stomach without suppressing beneficial, germ-fighting stomach acid. As for the risk of pneumonia If the healthier your entire body, the better able you will be to fight it.

 

Diana Gonzalez

 

 

 

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

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