Last Updated on April 4, 2024
Heartburn medications, known as proton pump inhibitors or PPIs, may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. These medications, which are common over-the-counter medications, include Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid.
These medications have already been linked to increases in bone fractures, and pneumonia.
Researchers, who followed a group of 10,000 people for almost 14 years, have discovered that users of these proton pump inhibitor medications had a 20%-50% increase in their risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
While these medications are effective at relieving heartburn the risks associated with their use warrant a better examination of alternative therapies for treatment of heartburn.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine has many modalities that can help relieve the pain of heartburn.
Treatment often begins with diet; increasing nutrition and eliminating aggravating foods.
Chinese herbs are given which moisten and protect the mucus membranes of the esophagus and improve digestion.
Acupuncture is used to improve the production of digestive enzymes, increase circulation over damaged tissues, aiding in their repair and to adjust muscle imbalances which may be contributing to heartburn.