Can Using Prescribed Prescribed Medication For Heartburn Lead To Pneumonia
Most people suffer occasionally from indigestion or heartburn. However, a question like can taking heartburn drugs cause pneumonia is not something anybody would expect. Recent research has found a possible link between an increased risk of developing pneumonia and two kinds of prescribed drugs frequently used to treat heartburn. The risk factor is 25% higher for people using one of the specific drugs compared to non-users.
Two kinds of popular prescribed drugs have been identified as the culprits in a series of studies performed across the world. Both types of drugs are widely prescribed for heartburn or ulcers. Popular over-the-counter medications for indigestion do not pose the same threat.
Bad eating habits, stress and a lack of exercise can all contribute to digestive problems. Internationally there is a significant increase in people suffering from chronic heartburn, ulcers and other digestive ailments. People spend billions of dollars across the globe on hospital treatment or medication to relief the symptoms of acid-related ailments.
The research revealed that both kind of drugs enhance the chances of heartburn-sufferers to get pneumonia by approximately 25 percent compared to people who don’t use any, or alternative medication. The studies included people who developed pneumonia while they were using the drugs in hospital as well as those who took it at home. The findings are based on the results of 31 international studies.
However, the results of the studies are not conclusive. It is suggested that the chronic build-up and reflux of stomach acid in itself can cause pneumonia if the acids are pushed up into the airways. Another theory is that the combination of chronic acid reflux and the medication can act together to increase the chances of developing pneumonia.
The findings warned that patients and doctors must be cautious before they take or prescribe medication for heartburn. All drugs have side-effects that are potentially harmful. Some people are more affected than others. A healthy diet, regular exercise and stress-relieving activities are still the best preventative measures for acid-related or digestive problems.
Medication for heartburn should only be taken when a diet and lifestyle changes do not solve the problem. Even then, medication to relief the symptoms should be taken cautiously and at the lowest dose possible. Prescribed medication for chronic symptoms should be the last resort.
The best action plan to curb stomach acidity and heartburn is to identify the cause. Various foods contribute to, or aggravate heartburn because they relax the lower esophageal sphincter which can cause the reflux of stomach acids into the esophagus. Food and drinks that contain caffeine are common culprits.
Knowledge is power and the more one finds out about the factors that cause one’s discomfort, the easier it will be to find a natural solution. Quitting smoking and avoiding fast food meals can be hard at first, but the benefits will far outweigh the sacrifice in the long run. Eating before bedtime and wearing tight-fitting clothes can also cause the reflux of stomach content into the esophagus. There are many lifestyle changes one should try before one pops a pill that only treats the symptoms, but not the cause.
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