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If You Experience Acid Reflux, You Need to Know This

By Thea Banjac March 17, 2023 Health and Fitness

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as Prilosec and Prevacid, are among the most widely used drugs in the US. They are frequently used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is marked by chronic acid reflux (also called “heartburn”).

PPIs decrease acid secretion in the stomach, and they do so quite well… perhaps, even too well! If you or someone you know is taking PPIs, there are a few things you need to know.

Here’s What You Didn’t Know About Acid Reflux & GERD

GERD occurs when the esophagus is chronically exposed to acid from the stomach. Many people assume that this reflux is a result of excess stomach acid, so they take acid blocking PPIs for their symptoms. However, excess stomach acid is not necessarily the culprit for acid reflux! Believe it or not, it turns out that acid reflux is often a result of LOW stomach acid. Sounds crazy, right? Well, it’s not!

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Poor digestion from the lack of stomach acid can create gas bubbles that rise into your esophagus and throat, carrying stomach acid with them.” The lower esophageal sphincter, a valve between the esophagus and stomach, is supposed to keep stomach acid from entering the esophagus.

However, in the presence of LOW stomach acid, this valve remains open, allowing acid to reflux into the esophagus. This is consistent with the fact that stomach acid generally decreases with age, yet the prevalence and severity of GERD increases with age.

Stress is a major contributor to low stomach acid and weakened digestion in our modern, fast-paced culture. Other factors such as chronic infections, environmental toxins, medications, food intolerance, and inflammatory foods all contribute to low stomach acid as well.

Many people don’t understand this lesser-known pathology of acid reflux and GERD. As a result, they end up depending on PPIs for long-term use without realizing that by further inhibiting stomach acid production, they are perpetuating the underlying problem of low stomach acid. It’s important to understand the detrimental effects that can occur with prolonged use of PPIs and the decrease in stomach acid and weakened digestion that occur as a result.

What You Should Know About PPIs

When the first PPIs hit the market in the late 1980s, pharmaceutical representatives informed doctors that these drugs should not be taken for more than 6 weeks due to their robust ability to decrease stomach acid. Even today, the instructions on the back of every Prilosec box read, “Do not take for more than 14 days or more often than every 4 months unless directed by a doctor.”

Yet, these strong acid blocking drugs can be purchased without a prescription. The ability for people to obtain these drugs without continued guidance from a doctor often results in prolonged use for months, or even years, at a time. It’s important to understand why this is not a good idea.

Considerations for Use of PPIs After the Age of 60

A systematic review was done on a large body of research pertaining to the use of acid blocking PPIs in people over the age of 60. This is what they found when they summarized the research:

  • A 25–50% increased risk in hip fracture associated with the use of PPIs.
  • Approximately an 80% increased risk in vitamin B12 deficiency associated with use of acid-lowering therapy.
  • Association between PPI use and increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection, community-acquired pneumonia, kidney disease, and dementia.

We Need Stomach Acid!

It’s important to remember that adequate stomach acid is necessary to allow for proper digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. Digestion already weakens with age, and prolonged use of PPIs weakens digestion to an even greater degree, leading to a number of health problems including, but not limited to, the ones mentioned above.

PPIs and other acid blocking drugs can be very difficult to stop due to a tendency for rebound acid production to occur.

If you would like to come off of your PPI, I suggest coming up with a plan with your doctor. If your doctor doesn’t know how to help you get off of PPIs – find another doctor who does. Remember, it’s important to advocate for yourself and your loved ones when it comes to your long-term health and well-being!

Medical disclaimer: The information shared in this article should not be taken as medical advice. Please reach out to your health care provider and discuss with them what is best for your individual needs.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you experience acid reflux or GERD? Are you taking PPIs or other acid blocking drugs? How long did your doctor instruct you to take them for? Have you tried coming off of them? Did you experience difficulty in doing so? How have you decreased your reliance on PPIs?

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39 Comments
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Valerie Stanol

So what is the solution? Just live with the burning?

Callie Keating

What’s the solution to increase acid in the stomach to reduce stomach reflux?

Thea

I am planning to write a follow up article on how to improve digestion and reduce acid reflux! It was too much info to put everything into 1 article. I do suggest reading through the rest of the comments on this post, as many people have provided suggestions that have worked for them!

Patti

I had been taking this for at least 10 years. Any stress triggers it. I have stopped taking it I was given double doses. And advised from a surgeon to take it again.
I do find that 10% coffee cream about 1/4 cup will coat my stomach for instant relief.
Thank you for this article.

Deb S

On doctor’s advice, I took omeprazole for years to treat GERD. Then I was diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease. I am not diabetic (a common cause of CKD) and had no indicators as to the cause of my kidney failure. I weaned myself off the PPI when I read it could harm the kidneys. To this day, none of my doctor’s have commented on my long term use of a PPI…I don’t think they really kn I w much about it! I still have GERD symptoms so am trying to manage without drugs, mostly with ingo I have found online. Translates to early supper, no eating afterwards, minimize spicy and acidic foods, sleeping with elevated upper body. Still have some issues, but my kidney function is no longer declining.

Diane

It took me about 45 years to realize that certain foods caused my acid reflux. Once I stopped taking them the difference was night and day! In my case it was pretty well all fruit juices, bananas, and commercial yogurt with fruit.

Inessa Levitan

Very good article! Agree with every word! I recently start taking on empty stomach, two spoons of grated to pure raw red skin- yellow inside potato, every morning it does magic! I recommend it !

Last edited 1 year ago by Inessa Levitan
Christina

I’m 64. I’ve been on Omeprazole, a PPI, for 15 years! I had severe GERD and Gastro doc said I could develop throat cancer if we didn’t get it under control with the PPI. Its been wonderful! No more GERD. However, now reading about all the side effects I’m angry that my doctor would keep me on this drug for so long! I’ve tried tapering off but the GERD returns. I’m about to go on a life changing diet/exercise plan. It’s way past time. I’ll try a slower taper this time as neither my Gastro doc or my Primary doc seems to think this is an issue. I hope others reply and can give me a shred of hope here….

Pam

Try baking soda and water

Thea

Hi christina! I definitely suggest reading through all of the comments – you will find tons of idea that have helped others. I also plan to write a follow up article!

Polly Johnson

I’ve had the same problem! I’ve been eating Manuka honey, sipping tea-(slippery elm) and the best for me, is chewing on fennel seeds! Also, get moving. All of this really helps. Look it up and good luck. This is so important. Love and light! 💜

Last edited 11 months ago by Polly Johnson
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The Author

Thea Banjac helps women with chronic conditions lose weight, rebalance their bodies, and regain control of their health. She combines functional medicine lab testing with personalized wellness protocols to target root cause contributors of each client’s unique condition. Schedule a free consultation at www.vezawellness.com or join her 12 Weeks to Well program to begin taking back control of your health today.

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