Long-term use of acid reflux medications linked to higher dementia risk
Source: Washington Post
Long-term use of acid reflux medications linked to higher dementia risk
People who take proton pump inhibitors for about 4 years or more have a 33 percent higher risk of developing dementia, study shows
By Lindsey Bever
August 10, 2023 at 6:40 p.m. EDT
Long-term use of certain medications to treat heartburn and acid-related disorders is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, new research shows.
The research, published Wednesday in the journal Neurology, examined data from more than 5,700 participants who initially did not have dementia and found that those who took proton pump inhibitors for about 4 years or more had a 33 percent higher risk of developing dementia than those who did not take the medications.
The study did not say these medications cause dementia -- only that there was an association between using the drugs and a higher risk of developing dementia.
The researchers did not find a higher risk of dementia linked to shorter-term use.
{snip}
By Lindsey Bever
Lindsey Bever is a reporter for The Washington Post's Well+Being desk, covering chronic illness, mental health and navigating the medical system, among other issues. She was previously a reporter at the Dallas Morning News. Twitter
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/08/10/acid-reflux-heartburn-medication-dementia/
Guess what I've been on for like the last twenty years.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
BumRushDaShow
(169,269 posts)
elleng
(141,926 posts)
liberal N proud
(61,194 posts)I have long battled with ulcers and Acid Reflux. Twice in my life I have nearly bled out with ulcers.
Until 3 years ago, I have been on and off of one acid reflux medicine. I took omeprazole for several years. It was very effective in keeping everything under control.
3 years ago, I had surgery for a hiatal hernia. The surgeon at that time was adamant that I stop taking it. From time to time sine then, I took it occasionally for stomach acid although I no longer suffered acid reflux.
Fast forward to this summer, I started to have stabbing pain in my abdomen, my general doctor put me back on omeprazole while sending me for some tests. Turned out my gallbladder was bad. Back to my surgeon who questioned why I was taking omeprazole again. He said to stop and scheduled surgery.
I had my gallbladder removed on Monday this week. Once I get past the pain of recovery, I hope to never need an acid reflux drug again.
niyad
(132,148 posts)MOMFUDSKI
(7,080 posts)taking Prilosec. I’m 75 yrs old and still have a really good memory. The best doctor I ever had said all pills are bad but sometimes you have to take them. Ya pays your money and ya takes your chances. . .
Marthe48
(23,129 posts)My husband was on them for years and got fatal esophgeal cancer, which the proton pump inhibitors have also been linked to causing :/
TheBlackAdder
(29,981 posts).
Something about how the esophageal sphincter only closes when the PH is very low and, the taking of anti-acids raises the Ph level so there is a higher risk of getting stomach acid washing up the esophagus and burning. For some, it's like a catch-22, you have neartburn, take anti-acids to raise the Ph, only to have the sphincter relax and get more heartburn. I take apple cider vinegar tabs when I feel reflux might be occurring, due to bad eating or something. It helps me to get back into the groove. Also, the lower the Ph, the better vitamins supplements are broken down and and food extraction of vitamins, minerals and metals occurs in the stomach occurs.
.
JustAnotherGen
(38,031 posts)If you don't mind. I have GERD - found during search for diverticulitis. I've tried ACV gummies before I eat - but they are too sweet. The Apple Cider vinegar in a glass of water made me physically sick.
I'm doing a short course of prilosec due to a flare up of GERD (GI advised).
I'm eating a light dinner and trying not to eat after 6:30. I have a wedge pillow. But when it flares up I'm in misery.
TheBlackAdder
(29,981 posts).
.
JustAnotherGen
(38,031 posts)Will pop down to the store tomorrow morning.
Aristus
(72,121 posts)Apple cider vinegar is not a panacea, and can have harmful effects, even in the tablet form. Regular use of apple cider vinegar can cause metabolic acidosis. A severe enough case, and you can say goodbye to your kidneys.
Not to mention that the supplement industry, unlike the pharmaceutical industry, isn't regulated by the Federal government for safety, purity, and efficacy. There could be all kinds of additives and adulterations in those supplements.
I thought this whole apple cider vinegar craze had blown over. I guess not.
TheBlackAdder
(29,981 posts).
I guess whenever someone posts 'woo', it's supposed to invalidate something.
.
Aristus
(72,121 posts)like science as a basis.
Just putting it out there. I didn't expect it was going to make a difference. I just have a license to practice medicine, that's all. You'd be surprised at the number of people who insist podcast guy has the real scoop, and we medical practitioners are on the wrong path.
Sucha NastyWoman
(3,019 posts)I take probably an average of 10 tums a day. Need to try something else.
TheBlackAdder
(29,981 posts).
Then, in a few days I don't need to take them until the next time stuff goes out of whack with me.
Hopefully, you had an upper GI check to make sure all is well. Whenever I have a lower endo, I get an upper one as well, since I'm already knocked out.
I just had my procedures this past July. As I get older spicy (really spicy) food is starting to bother me at times. I just wanted to be sure everything is well. My mother, who died when she was 94, needed to take them daily for the last 10 years as she was not generating enough stomach acid. She only ate twice a day and would take just one before she ate.
.
Fiendish Thingy
(23,086 posts)I wouldn’t be surprised if the backers of this study suddenly announced a new generation of GERD medications without the “risks” claimed by this study.
I’ve been taking a PPI for 20+ years, no problems.
MOMFUDSKI
(7,080 posts)The question is always who paid for the study.
Fiendish Thingy
(23,086 posts)
roamer65
(37,945 posts)Almost 15 years, I think.
I’ve been lucky enough to stay on 20mg and I use Tums when needed as a supplemental and for their calcium.
Kennah
(14,578 posts)I was on Nexium for several years. Prices were ridiculous. I asked about switching to Prilosec (generic omeprazole). On Nexium, it was $90 for 3 months 40 mg once a day. On generic omeprazole, it has been about $10-$18 for 3 months 20 mg once a day.
TygrBright
(21,359 posts)Large studies have shown that people taking PPIs are more likely to have other medical conditions than people who aren’t taking them. In a recent study involving 19,000 patients, people who took these medications were more likely to also be taking medications to treat high blood pressure and cholesterol, for example.
These differences are particularly important when dementia is the outcome researchers are looking for because high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes are themselves thought to increase dementia risk. Indeed, in the study published Wednesday, PPI users were more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes than nonusers, making them more likely to develop dementia.
That makes it challenging to isolate any risks PPIs might have from the risks associated with the diseases they’re being used to treat, said Desai. However, several large studies have aimed to do so — and it’s worth looking at their results alongside the ones that are currently getting a lot of attention.
Basically: The study noticed correlations. NOT causation. Study authors, responsibly, noted them. Did NOT conclude there was a causative link.
But media went apeshit because so many people use PPIs, they'd get LOTS of clicks and views by mentioning the correlation, which is essentially meaninglyss (reading the whole Vox article has more detail about that.)
If you need them, take them. You'll be fine.
Once again, the silver salmon of truth loses out against the raging torrent of media bullshit...
wearily,
Bright
crimycarny
(2,087 posts)When I saw the headline my first thought was "Is it the acid reflux medication, or the underlying conditions that require someone to take acid reflux medication? I'll bet on the latter."
Frustrating how the media loves to create hysteria for clicks.
elleng
(141,926 posts)Study authors, responsibly, noted them. Did NOT conclude there was a causative link.'
Hekate
(100,133 posts)…increased risk of dementia.
Bookmarking this to follow up on your link. 
TygrBright
(21,359 posts)"Making seniors afraid so you can sell them shit" is a HUGE sector of the economy.
I decline to participate.
helpfully,
Bright
Hekate
(100,133 posts)
sinkingfeeling
(57,775 posts)radiation damage from cancer treatments.
MOMFUDSKI
(7,080 posts)I am diabetic for 27 years. Causes sphincter at top of tummy to not close real well. Life happens.
IbogaProject
(5,868 posts)I didn't realize how many of those acid reflux medicines are in that class.
deurbano
(2,985 posts)reflux. She used to get a chronic cough after having a cold, before we finally realized it was caused by reflux and could be prevented with Nexium. That worked very well, but then I started reading about the downsides of that kind of medication, so I looked for alternatives. What has worked really well for her is going gluten-free... or gluten-light, anyway. Maybe the problem isn't actually the gluten in those foods she's avoiding (I've read the reflux might be caused by something else in foods that also have gluten), but either way, it works for her. She only takes Nexium now before a potluck or Thanksgiving or similar occasions. And even without Nexium, she can have some foods with gluten, but just needs to go easy.
Trueblue Texan
(4,426 posts)...plain old water. There is really no healthy substitute for water, so I guess I'll take my Pantoprozole. There is also a greater risk of kidney disease with those drugs. Which just goes to show ya, Jane...it's always somethin'.
deurbano
(2,985 posts)"side effects" ), so if this approach (or whatever else we might try) hadn't worked, she'd still be using the Nexium.
(Not really possible to find a work-around for water!)
Also... my mother has been on reflux medication (not sure it's Nexium) for twenty years, and she's doing fine at 92. (Except for being a rightwing nut.)
ybbor
(1,746 posts)I have been taking them for at least 20 years, and my doc increased my dosage about 5 years ago. Guess I’m screwed.
Then again, maybe a third of the study also became bald. Which is fine, because I was bald before I started taking them.
multigraincracker
(37,590 posts)have memory problems.
Would love to have the surgery. Going to start a serious search for a doctor that does it.
Trueblue Texan
(4,426 posts)multigraincracker
(37,590 posts)the flap, herniated.
Just have to find the best surgeon. They can do it robotically now.
appalachiablue
(43,996 posts)
Rebl2
(17,697 posts)on and off PPI for many years too. Have to take many meds for RA causing stomach issues for 30 years at least.
SCantiGOP
(14,714 posts)I was having to get up 2-3 nights a week and take 2 Alka Seltzer heartburn relief tablets, which was wrecking my sleep and giving me half my daily allowance of sodium.
Not long after that I started seeing warnings about long term use; the first one was loss of bone mass.
My doctor told me to stay on the Nexium, since there are serious problems caused by untreated acid reflux. When the drug went generic I switched to the much cheaper 20 mg OTC, with no change in effectiveness. I now take them on odd-numbered days only, eat whatever I want and have heartburn maybe twice a year, which I can instantly cure with a nasty-tasting big spoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
Faux pas
(16,340 posts)That's horrible 😞
flying_wahini
(8,274 posts)
tibbir
(1,170 posts)About 12 years ago, I realized that artificially keeping my stomach acid to an almost nonexistent level wasn't helping my digestion at all. I began taking apple cider vinegar capsules for about a month and then VERY slowly tapered off all of the PPI medication. I continue to take apple cider vinegar capsules every morning and have had no stomach issues. Some people recommend an elixer of apple cider vinegar to help with digestion, but I never could deal with its taste.
wendyb-NC
(4,683 posts)I have to take them for reflux, especially if I have to take ibuprofen or naproxen, for sinus headaches.
thesquanderer
(12,995 posts)I think I should know that, but I can't remember.
summer_in_TX
(4,156 posts)said it could be very bad. Especially long-term. That was way back in 2002.
Recently I was diagnosed with gastritis and esophageal erosion. I took two months of omeprazole and it helped but I still had gastritis pretty often. I've been afraid to take the omeprazole much at all since then, just doing it as needed when it's bad enough.
But the gastritis is not under control and I'm worried about my esophagus getting eroded further.
And now dementia is in the mix. Runs in my family anyway. Grandmother, dad, mom.
multigraincracker
(37,590 posts)Barrettes esophagus? Been on PPis for 30 years and told it has improved over the years. I didn’t think it ever got better.
I understood it was a precancerous condition caused by stomach acid due to my hyatial hernia. “Sp”.
summer_in_TX
(4,156 posts)Just read a bit about it. I haven’t been diagnosed with GERD as far as I know.
kimbutgar
(27,227 posts)Away. But I am a big advocate of apple cider juice. At the first feeling of acid reflux feeling I drink a glass of apple cider and it goes away. I know some mentioned the apple cider vinegar and tablets but the juice also does the job. Something about that old adage an apple a day keeps the doctor away has some truth.
roamer65
(37,945 posts)I am a living, breathing example case.
A CPAP solved the problem very quickly. The gasping and suction caused by apnea can bring up acid, especially in cases of hiatal hernias. Also the CPAP air puts a downward pressure into the esophagus, as all explained by my GI doctor.
Response to roamer65 (Reply #44)
summer_in_TX This message was self-deleted by its author.
summer_in_TX
(4,156 posts)Waiting on results from a home sleep study.
roamer65
(37,945 posts)👍👍
IcyPeas
(25,423 posts)Took all the prescribed pills, watched his diet etc. Had quite a lot of pain and discomfort.
Then someone in a healthfood store told him about aloe vera juice. He is not someone that falls for woo fads, but he thought... well why not try it? It doesn't cost that much.
It worked for him.
There are articles online if you want to research it.
generalbetrayus
(1,824 posts)the participants took."
This seems to me like a basic flaw in the study. Not all PPIs are alike.
"On April 1, 2020, the FDA requested that all forms of ranitidine (Zantac, generic versions), including prescription and over-the-counter products, be removed from the market. They may contain unacceptable levels of a potential cancer-causing substance known as NDMA, or N-Nitrosodimethylamine."
My gastroenterologist switched me from Zantac to Pepcid.