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Got heartburn? Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors appears to raise risk of stomach cancer – explore alternatives!
Heartburn and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) describe a common
group of symptoms that lead to more serious problems. One of the most common treatment approaches
is to suppress the stomach acid with drugs, typically proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
such as omeprazole and many others. While
these drugs do not stop the abnormal sloshing of stomach fluids into the
esophagus where they don’t belong, they can certainly reduce the discomfort and
help prevent some of the complications of GERD. However, there is increasing
evidence that PPIs can have serious side effects, as well. A 2017 study published in the journal Gut followed 63,000 patients over an
average of 7.6 years, and found that chronic use of PPIs significantly increased
stomach cancer risk, and the risk increased the longer patients were on the
medications. [1]
My recommendation:
For patients with heartburn, I try to prescribe acid reducing drugs for
as brief a time as possible, and take time to discuss the many evidence-based alternatives
for treating GERD without medication, including vigorous lifestyle changes. 80-90% of GERD sufferers who overweight are
able to eliminate or reduce their reflux drugs just by losing 10% of their body
weight. [2] To create a personalized action
plan see pages 59-92 in Good Food, Great
Medicine (3rd edition).
For additional GERD-fighting suggestions see
our January 2017 newsletter.
Miles Hassell MD
