The Risk of Constantly Treating Heartburn with Medication
Prolonged use of medications to soothe heartburn and acid reflux may result in serious health problems. Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System have linked long-term use of such medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, to fatal cases of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and upper gastrointestinal cancer. This study could have a wide effect on the more than 15 million Americans who have prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
