Taking Medication for Heartburn?

Heartburn can be a big problem for many people, particularly as we age.  To combat that, many people take acid blockers, histamine blockers or the latest medical solutions known as “Proton Pump Inhibitors” (PPIs). However, there may be side effects. Here are a few ideas to think about:

• Use of PPIs might represent a frequent cause of depression in older populations; thus, mood should be routinely assessed in elderly patients on PPIs.
• Most people assume that PPIs exert their effects only in the stomach. Research suggests, however, that PPIs have effects throughout the body
• If you have been using this remedy, pull back on this slowly. Stopping a PPI suddenly can trigger rebound hyperacidity. Heartburn symptoms like those you’ve experienced may become more intense. Gradual withdrawal over weeks or months is a better approach