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Ella Scott
A medical expert has a warning for anyone routinely taking omeprazole for conditions like heartburn and indigestion, claiming the medication could cause serious health issues.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, are a group of medicines that decrease stomach acid production and are often used to relieve symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
According to the National Institutes of Health, around 20 percent of people in the United States and the United Kingdom suffer from GERD, with the condition significantly impacting the quality of life for many.
Omeprazole is often the answer - but Dr Punam Krishnan, a Scottish GP and resident doctor on BBC’s Morning Live show, wants anyone regularly ingesting the pills to take note.
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The expert said people taking the prescribed PPIs need to exercise caution, especially if they’re using it over a long period of time.
Speaking to Morning Live hosts Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton, Dr Krishnan began by explaining how, by drinking alcohol or lying down after a meal, stomach acid can ‘creep back up the food pipe’, causing a heavy-pressure burning sensation, known to many as acid reflux.
If discomfort continues, PPIs are prescribed, she explained, adding: “And these are incredible and have really transformed the way that we treat acid reflux. They essentially help to treat the acid production at the source.
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“Essentially these medications aren't there to be used unnecessarily or for a long period of time. They do require us to review them.”
Dr Krishnan admitted that if you use omeprazole for a substantial amount of time, you can ‘slightly increase your risk of things like low magnesium, low vitamin B12’.
“But also increase the risk of gut infections, particularly Clostridioides difficile. We call that C. diff for short.”
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PPIs can ‘tip the balance’ of bacteria in the gut, as per the health professional. And if you get overgrowth, it can cause persistent diarrhoea.
“That is a red flag,” she confessed. “So you do need to speak to your doctor if that is an issue and you suddenly start developing diarrhoea.
“Or if you've got a change in bowel habit, we always say check in with your doctor. Just make sure that you are getting those reviews with your GP."
Using PPIs for an extended period of time can cause low magnesium levels.
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People with a magnesium deficiency may exhibit symptoms like low appetite, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue and weakness, according to Healthdirect.
Speak to your pharmacist if you think you’re suffering from low magnesium levels. They may treat your issues with magnesium supplements.
The NHS states that low vitamin B12 levels can cause symptoms affecting your brain and nervous system, including numbness, muscle weakness, and incontinence.
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Other symptoms may manifest via headaches, palpitations, loss of appetite, and a sore or red tongue, sometimes accompanied by mouth ulcers.
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See a GP if you're experiencing symptoms of vitamin B12 so you can be treated as soon as possible.
The agency warned that although many of the symptoms may improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible if left untreated.
The longer the condition goes untreated, the higher the chance of permanent damage.
C. diff is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea, a high temperature, and a stomach ache.
It usually occurs when the balance of bacteria in your bowel changes.
You’re more likely to suffer C. diff if you’re over 65, have recently taken antibiotics, have a weakened immune system, or are taking PPIs on a regular basis.
The issue can sometimes be treated at home, or you may need to go to the hospital.
This is because C. diff infections can sometimes lead to more serious health complications, like sepsis, the NHS wrote.