Got an ailment? Taking a pill is what traditional medicine will have you do to feel better. Although using regular medication may be a way to cure what ails you, it’s not without its risks. Certain types of medications, like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause more harm than good over time. Here’s why.
The Risks of Long-Term PPIs
Proton pump inhibitors are a commonly prescribed medicine for a digestive problem called GERD, short for gastroesophageal reflux disease. With GERD, you experience heartburn or the regurgitation of stomach acid through the esophagus. Medications like PPIs (like Nexium or Prilosec) are commonly used for GERD. Some PPIs are available over-the-counter, while others are by prescription.
Because PPIs often are effective for GERD, it becomes easier to use them frequently. However, recent studies point to risks associated with PPI use, including:
- Nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12 and magnesium
- Increased risk for kidney disease
- Osteoporosis
- Pneumonia
- A higher chance of dementia development, according to one 2016 study
These risks may only occur in a small number of patients, and the risks tend to be larger when using PPIs for many years. Still, they are an important consideration with millions of patients using and sometimes overusing PPIs.
Better-quality evidence of the risks of PPI are needed, according to a 2019 analysis published in
Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety.
Obesity and diet also have a role in GERD. To minimize or eliminate PPI risks, a safer option is to address changes to body weight and diet.
The Risks of NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are used for all sorts of pain. You probably have some of the most common NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or naproxen, in your medicine cabinet. There are NSAIDs available with a prescription and without a prescription.
Although NSAIDs are affective, they are designed for short-term use. However, many people end up in a chronic cycle of overusing NSAIDs. Because this type of drug is so common, there is a misconception that they have no dangerous risks.
However, use of NSAIDs over time can have some serious risks, including:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- A higher risk of heart attacks
- A higher risk of stroke
- High blood pressure
- Kidney problems
Understanding the risks of NSAIDs can get confusing because different doctors may have different advice on just how risky this type of drug can be. The risks of NSAIDs are particularly noteworthy if you have heart disease.
Getting Away From Medication Use: How Reveal Vitality Can Help
If you’re looking to improve your health without using common medications like PPIs and NSAIDs, Reveal Vitality can help.
At Reveal Vitality, we take a functional medicine approach to prevent chronic disease and pain. Here are just some of the services we offer than can help you focus on wellness instead of sickness:
- Advanced diagnostic testing so you know your risk for various health conditions and can help get them under control
- Detoxification to help rid the body of toxins and waste
- Hormone optimization, to help you understand how hormones may have a role in chronic disease and find solutions
- Vitamin therapy and nutrition counseling to get you on a better nutritional path
Contact Reveal Vitality today at 941-217-2777 to discover how we can guide you toward better health and a future with less chronic disease and aging.