- It’s a Cookbook
It’s a Philosophy
It’s a Resource
December 12, 2017
Extended use of acid-reflux medications such as Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid is linked to an increased risk of kidney disease, according to a new study led by a resident doctor at Bassett Medical Center. These heartburn pills, known as protein pump inhibitors, are among the most widely prescribed medications in the world, and several are available over the counter. They work by reducing stomach acid production so the esophagus can heal, and are intended for short-term use. “I think the awareness has not been made public so patients will know,” said Dr. Raquel Rosen, head of nephrology at Bassett Medical Center. “When you’re […]
November 7, 2017
Chronic liver disease appears to be promoted by taking stomach acid blockers known as proton pump inhibitors, according to a study led by University of California San Diego researchers. The drugs, including such best-sellers as Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid, change the population of gut microbes. This leads to overgrowth of a bacterium that causes liver inflammation and cell death, the study found. The study was published in Nature Communications. It was performed with mouse models, healthy human volunteers, and data from chronic alcoholics. Bernd Schnabl, M.D., was the study’s senior author. Cristina Llorente, also of UCSD, was first author. Proton pump inhibitors are the most effective […]
August 1, 2017
Although popular Fourth of July foods such as hamburgers and hot dogs can trigger heartburn, sufferers may want to rethink the use of popular over-the-counter remedies, which a new study links to early death. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis concluded that prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), which suppress the secretion of stomach acid and is found in popular heartburn medications such as Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid, increased an early risk of death by 25 percent, compared to people who used H2 blockers, another known inhibitor of stomach acid. The study, titled “Risk of death among users of Proton […]
November 11, 2014
If you have ever wondered why you see so many TV commercials for heartburn medications such as Prilosec®, Tagamet®, and Tums®, it is because a startling 40% of the adult population suffers from a condition known medically as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). For some people, heartburn causes minor discomfort after eating, while others experience pain so intense that they rush to an emergency room fearing a heart attack. A common misconception is that heartburn is caused only by excess stomach acid that regurgitates back up into the esophagus. What few doctors realize is that when the sphincter muscle at the […]
July 8, 2014
Bloating, burping, sour taste in your mouth, and stomach or chest pains, these are some of the frequent complaints that bring patients to my office. If you are one of the approximately 60 million Americans who suffer from heartburn, you’ll know what I’m talking about. The horrible burning sensation in the middle of your chest is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It occurs when hydrochloric acid backs up into your esophagus, which is the tube between your mouth and stomach. Don’t ignore your symptoms of GERD. If they last more than two weeks, you should see your doctor. Left untreated, GERD […]