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Be careful with heartburn medications

The Coeur d'Alene Press - 1/19/2017

Recent studies in 2015 and 2016 showed that drugs that reduce acid known as proton pump inhibitors (PPI's) have an association with an increased risk of dementia, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease. These drugs include Prevacid, Nexium, Protonix, AcipHex, and Prilosec.

These drugs are very commonly used for heartburn and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux). One study of almost 74,000 older adults who were studied over a seven-year period showed that 44 percent of those taking PPI's long term were more likely to end up with dementia. Another study of a similar group of over 3,300 older adults over a six-year period revealed a 44 percent increase in Alzheimer's risk in those taking PPI's long term. Another study of healthy younger adults taking PPI's short term (7 days) had definite cognitive function impairment. This includes executive functions like deciding on which strategies to use in certain situations.

These PPI's work very well to stop acid production in the stomach but also stop acid production in cells in the brain which require acid to clear certain proteins found in the brain. These proteins are known as beta-amyloids. This is what appears to be the problem with use of PPI's with respect to the brain. These beta-amyloids aren't cleared. It's hard to affect one area of the human body without affecting other areas.

Another way PPI's can affect the brain is by becoming an interference with absorption of an essential vitamin - B12. We know that B12 is released from the protein that it is bound to with stomach acid. Since PPI's reduce acid, B12 deficiencies are increased. The literature is full of information on what B12 deficiencies cause.

So it's VERY IMPORTANT to use these drugs only when absolutely necessary. That's why it is vital to determine the cause of the heartburn and GERD. If a patient has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder, these symptoms may be the result of this condition. OSA is a sleep disorder in which there are interruptions in breathing during sleep; most people with OSA are unaware that they have the condition and if they would have the OSA treated, the symptoms of heartburn and GERD would be reduced or even entirely eliminated.

Finding the cause of any symptoms is important. If a patient has OSA and doesn't know they have it (90 percent of patients with OSA are in this situation), they probably will have the symptoms of heartburn and GERD.

There is a simple test for OSA that can be done right in your home known as a home sleep test. Make a free consultation appointment in our office to discuss this-OSA is deadly. If you snore, have daytime sleepiness, or don't feel FABULOUS when you wake up, you may have OSA. And treatment does NOT have to be that "mask."

Our website www.NwSleepDoc.com has a lot on information you may be interested in regarding OSA and its treatment.

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Dr. Donald Johnson founded Northwest Treatment Center for Snoring & Sleep Apnea in Coeur d'Alene to help patients stop their snoring and live free with no limits! Obstructive sleep apnea is usually able to be treated with a small oral appliance. Dr. John-son's office is at 114 W. Neider Ave., near Costco. The website for more information is www.NWSleepDoc.com and the office phone is (208) 667-4551. Schedule a free consultation appointment today!

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