Heartburn is one of the most common and irritating physical symptoms that people suffer from. Unfortunately, in a 2017 study conducted jointly by the Hong Kong Department of Medicine and the School of Pharmacy at the University College of London, it was found that Omeprazole, one of the most common drugs for treating heartburn and similar conditions, poses a real life risk.
This "simple" drug increases the risk of stomach cancer by 250% and therefore puts everyone who consumes it over a prolonged period of time at a much higher risk. Therefore, it's a good idea to learn about what causes heartburn and the natural ways to treat it.
Normally, when we eat, the stomach retains the acidic juices that break the food apart and begins the bodily process of digestion and absorption. However, when there are various gastrointestinal problems, the stomach juices don’t stay where they should but rise up towards the esophagus, causing this well-known and very unpleasant burn.
This irritation not only causes burning but can also damage the stomach and esophagus tissues, prompting many people to take medication to prevent this condition. One of the most popular prescription drugs for treating heartburn and similar conditions is Omeprazole, also known as Prilosec, Losec, and Zegerid. As noted, a comprehensive study has shown that this drug puts those who take it at greater risk of stomach cancer - the deadliest after lung cancer.
Heartburn and similar conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), gastric and duodenal ulcers, and gastritis are treated by Omeprazole. This drug decreases acidity production in the stomach, decreasing your chances of getting that annoying burning sensation.
In order to draw conclusions about the effects of Omeprazole, researchers conducted a large study of 63,397 patients who received this drug regularly. The researchers examined the medical records of these tens of thousands of patients to see how their health was during the period they took the drug. Medical files of subjects from 2002 to 2012 were carefully examined so that conclusions could be drawn about the effect of Omeprazole on their health. The findings indicated that prolonged and continuous use of Omeprazole (once daily for 3 years) increased the risk of gastric cancer by 250%.
Conclusions: The study should raise red flags for anyone taking Omeprazole or other versions of this drug on a regular basis. According to Dr. Wong, one of the leading researchers in the study, short-term use of proton inhibitors is safe, but prolonged use may expose you to gastric cancer that takes the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor about the course of treatment in cases where you, or people close to you, are taking proton inhibitors regularly so that you can proper medical advice.
If you suffer from heartburn often and prefer not to take drugs like those described in the article, there are some natural solutions to the problem. This way, you can take care of the problem with ingredients you have at home, or that can be purchased at health stores, which will help you eliminate heartburn in a delicious and healthy way. Click here to discover natural solutions to heartburn. Beyond that, there are other methods that don’t just include eating and drinking specific foods, that can help alleviate the problem. With exercise and subtle lifestyle changes, you can feel significant relief from heartburn and perhaps even completely eliminate it if you persevere in your new and healthy way of life.
image source: Sam-Cat, BruceBlaus
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