Common acid reflux medications linked to increased kidney disease risk

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which include well-known brand names Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid, are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the world. Approximately 10 percent of adults in the United States take these drugs for frequent heartburn, acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

In the study, the team found that patients who took PPIs were more likely to experience kidney disease than people who took histamine-2 receptor antagonists, another form of antacid that treats the same conditions and includes the brands Pepcid and Zantac.

"Post-marketing data collected by the FDA and deposited in the FAERS database allows us to look for potential adverse effects beyond what was found in a clinical trial, which may not have lasted as long or included as much diversity as the FAERS does," said senior author.

The FAERS database contains more than 10 million patient records -- all voluntary reports of adverse effects while taking a medication. The research team focused on patients who took PPIs and no other medications, narrowing their study population down to approximately 43,000 patients. They applied a mathematical algorithm to look for statistically significant differences in reported kidney-related complications between patients who took PPIs and the control group, approximately 8,000 patients who took histamine-2 receptor blockers, such as Zantac or Pepcid, and no other medications.

Here's what they found: Patients who took only PPIs reported a kidney-related adverse reaction at a frequency of 5.6 percent, compared to 0.7 percent for patients who took only histamine-2 receptor antagonists.

Drilling down, the team found that, compared to the control group, patients who took only PPIs were 28.4 times more likely to report chronic kidney disease, as well as acute kidney injury (4.2 times more likely), end-stage renal disease (35.5 times more likely) and unspecified kidney impairment (8 times more likely). Patients who took PPIs were also more likely to experience electrolyte abnormalities, but this varied more by individual PPI, while the kidney-specific effects held true for all five PPIs examined.

Researchers cautioned that this study does not reveal the absolute frequency of these kidney-related complaints for all people taking PPIs, since reporting in the FAERS is voluntary. He also says it's possible, though unlikely, the effect could be due to unidentified confounding factors. A large, randomized, controlled clinical trial would be needed to definitively show causality between PPI usage and absolute risk of kidney disease in humans.

As the World Health Organization notes, PPIs are essential medicines for many people, helping them to control symptoms that are often painful and disruptive to daily life. But researcher hopes this initial data will prompt health care providers to provide the appropriate warnings, education and monitoring for patients who require PPIs, particularly if they are already at elevated risk for kidney disease and electrolyte abnormalities. Researchers made similar recommendations following a study that found evidence in mice and humans that PPIs promote chronic liver disease.

PPIs are relatively inexpensive medications, retailing for approximately for a recommended two-week course of generic, over-the-counter Prilosec (omeprazole). But the frequency of use adds up -- one study estimated Americans spend $11 billion on PPIs each year. There are inexpensive and readily available alternatives to PPIs. However, non-PPI-based antacids (e.g., Pepto-Bismol, Tums, histamine-2 receptor antagonists) may not be as effective.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                         FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           

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WHAT DO DIFFERENT TYPES OF COUGH INDICATE !

A cough is often indicative of an underlying problem. For example, a cough can be due to allergies, a common cold, lung disease, or even gastrointestinal issues. The causes may vary, the reason you cough is to help your body eliminate foreign materials or mucus from your lungs and upper respiratory passages. It’s one of your body’s protective mechanisms to keep you breathing easily. A doctor, by listening to a patient's cough, can identify the underlying health problem.
1.Asthma 
 A dry cough along with a rattling or wheezing sound is often indicative of asthma. With this condition, your airways become inflamed, leading to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing. Coughs caused by asthma are usually worse at night or while exercising. It can also be accompanied by chest tightness, fatigue and shortness of breath.
If you have asthma, it might be a good idea to look into the correct way of breathing, which shows you how to bring your breathing back to normal. When you’re breathing normally, you get much better oxygenation of tissues and organs.
2. Postnasal Drip
Having a cold or allergies can cause mucus to drip down your throat. This postnasal drip can touch nerve endings, leading to either a dry or wet cough. A cough that is being caused by a postnasal drip will usually be worse at night, and might be accompanied by a scratchy feeling in the back of your throat. If it’s allergies that’s causing this postnasal drip, you may also have itchy eyes and sneezing.
If you have postnasal drip accompanied by congestion, cold symptoms, pressure in your face, and thick green or yellow mucus, you might have a sinus infection. If this is the case, irrigating your sinuses might help.
Back in 2007, a study found that saline irrigation was more effective at decreasing nasal congestion than saline sprays. This appears to work by thinning mucus, decreasing the swelling in your nasal passages, and removing any debris, allergens, and bacteria from your nose.
To make your own saline solution, add one teaspoon of sea salt to one pint of distilled water.
3.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
If you’re chronically coughing up lots of mucus, this might be due to COPD. Typically, the cough will be worst in the morning and ease throughout the day. You may also experience shortness of breath, fatigue, wheeziness, and chest tightness.
Smoking is a major contributor to COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. With emphysema, the air sacs in your lungs lose their elasticity. Chronic bronchitis occurs when there is swelling in the linings of your lungs and it constrains your breathing.
4.GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
When food passes into your stomach from the esophagus, a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) closes, preventing food or acid from moving back up. GERD, also commonly known as acid reflux, occurs when the LES relaxes inappropriately, allowing acid from your stomach to flow into your esophagus.
GERD may cause a dry, spasmodic cough, that is likely to worsen when you’re lying down or eating. You may get heartburn as well, but in 75% of cases, a chronic cough is the only symptom.
GERD is thought to be caused by having too much acid in your stomach, which is why acid-blocking drugs are often prescribed or recommended. However, the problem can also be caused by having too little acid in your stomach, which is why drugs such as proton pump inhibitors typically just make the issue worse. Ultimately, the answer to heartburn and acid indigestion is to restore your natural gastric balance and function.
Eating processed and sugary foods worsens GERD, as this will upset the bacterial balance in your stomach and intestines. Instead, you should eat a lot of vegetables and other high-quality unprocessed foods. You should also consider eliminating triggers from your life such as alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine products.
5.Pneumonia
This starts out as a dry cough and progresses into a wet cough with green, yellow, or red mucus. The cough might be accompanied by chills, fever, trouble breathing, or pain when coughing or breathing in deeply. Anytime you cough up excess mucus, spit it into the toilet rather than swallowing it as this can cause stomach irritation.
Most people who have pneumonia can recover at home by drinking lots of fluids and getting adequate rest. However, in severe cases in the elderly or young, pneumonia may require hospitalization to receive breathing treatments, fluids, and oxygen therapy.
6.Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough causes a severe cough that ends with a whooping sound as you breath in. The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated, but this deserves a closer look. A data shows that 84% of children under the age of 3 have received at least four shots for whooping cough, and yet, despite this high vaccination rate, whooping cough is still prevalent among both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Therefore, this would suggest that the vaccine is ineffective.
If you think you might have whooping cough, you should seek medical attention right away. However, there are some things you can do that may keep it away:
• Avoid mucus-forming foods such as milk, flour, eggs, and sugar.
• Keep your home well-ventilated and free of smoke.
• Keep well hydrated.
• Rest and avoid exertion.
• Massage essential oils with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil) into your chest.
• Heat a pan of water to just boiling point, then add a couple of drops of thyme. Breathe in the steam from the pan. 

7. Medication-Related Cough
ACE inhibitors, which are used to treat high blood pressure, can cause dry coughs in about 20% of patients. If you notice you have a dry cough a few weeks after starting this type of medication, it could be to blame.
While you shouldn’t stop taking blood pressure medication without consulting your doctor, it’s important to be aware that high blood pressure can often be remedied with lifestyle changes. Therefore, if you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure, dietary strategies can help control it.
One of the common underlying causes of high blood pressure is related to your body producing too much insulin and leptin in response to a high carbohydrate and processed food diet.
Therefore, if you suffer from high blood pressure, you should do your best to avoid processed foods.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.
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Digestion Problems!

The human digestive system is a very complicated and sizeable component of the body. It starts right at the beginning of the mouth, ending at the rectum. Some of the major responsibilities of the digestive system include absorption of essential nutrients and elimination of wastes.
Not only do digestive problems have embarrassing and unwanted symptoms, serious, chronic diseases can be caused if the minor problems are not treated.
Some digestive problems are listed below:

1. GERD: This is a burning sensation that results from acids in the stomach being squirted into the oesophagus. A burning sensation is felt, right from the chest to the end of the throat. Frequent heartburns can lead to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), symptoms of which include dry cough, sore throat, chest discomfort and difficulty in swallowing.
2. Bloating: This is caused due to the presence of excess gas in the colon, small intestines or the stomach.
3. Dyspepsia: This is an uncomfortable feeling or pain which occurs in the upper abdominal regions, mostly a result of excess food intake. It is commonly referred to as indigestion. Dyspepsia can be discomforting and if prolonged, medical assistance should be opted for.
4. Chronic Constipation: Persistent constipation (chronic) is a sign that there is a problem with the elimination of wastes. This usually happens when the colon is unable to move or pass stools. Other major causes of chronic constipation can be changes in your usual diet, various eating disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and excessive consumption of dairy products among others.
5. Food Intolerance: This occurs when the digestive system is unable to tolerate certain food items. This condition is different from food allergies as it only affects the digestive system. Some of the common symptoms include diarrhoea, headache, gas and vomiting.

Possible Serious Conditions-
A gastroenterologist is a type of doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases involving the digestive system. If you continue to experience digestion problems, it’s time to make an appointment.
More serious signs could mean an emergency medical problem. Those signs include:

• bloody stools
• continuous vomiting
• severe abdominal cramps
• sweating
• sudden, unintentional weight loss

These symptoms could be an indication of an infection, gallstones, hepatitis, internal bleeding, or cancer.
Medications-
You may be able to overcome digestion problems with treatment and lifestyle changes. Certain diseases of the digestive system might be long-term, but medications can help alleviate symptoms.
Identifying specific digestion problems and talking to your physician can go a long way in terms of helping your doctor give you a proper diagnosis. Remember, you don’t have to put up with constant digestive issues.

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