JERUSALEM POST
Proton-pump inhibitors are prescribed to reduce stomach acid by targeting the enzymes in the stomach lining that produce that acid.
People who take acid reflux medications called proton-pump inhibitors for four-and-a-half years or more could have a higher risk of dementia compared to people who do not take these medications, according to research just published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows into the esophagus, usually when lying down or after a meal, causing sufferers heartburn and ulcers.
People with frequent acid reflux may develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). which can lead to cancer of the esophagus. Reflux occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of the esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.
Proton-pump inhibitors
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) include medications like omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), and lansoprazole (Prevacid). They are prescribed to reduce stomach acid by targeting the enzymes in the stomach lining that produce that acid.
“Proton pump inhibitors are a useful tool to help control acid reflux, however long-term use has been linked in previous studies to a higher risk of stroke, bone fractures and chronic kidney disease,” said study author Dr. Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in Minneapolis. “Still, some people take these drugs regularly, so we examined if they are linked to a higher risk of dementia. While we did not find a link with short-term use, we did find a higher risk of dementia associated with long-term use of these drugs.”
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