The Problem With Antacids

Aug. 12, 2008 — -- The medications some heartburn and acid reflux sufferers are using to seek relief may pose a threat to their bones, according to a new study.

Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the study suggested that seniors who take proton-pump inhibitors such as Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid to fight acid reflux may be at greater risk for bone fractures.

While there was no detectable risk for those who used the drugs for six years of therapy, patients who used them from seven years or longer were 93 percent more likely to suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture.

While some use antacids to deal with their reflux, others are unaware they even have the problem. "Good Morning America" medical editor Dr. Tim Johnson explains the dangers of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, or gastric reflux, and what you can do.

The term Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) refers to the backflow of food or stomach acid into the larynx (the voice box) or the pharynx (the throat). LPR can occur during the day or night, even if a person hasn't eaten a thing.

Not everyone with reflux has a lot of heartburn or indigestion. In fact, many people with LPR never have heartburn. This is why LPR is called gastric reflux. Because LPR is gastric, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose.

About half the people who have LPR never have any heartburn at all. This is because the material that backs up does not stay in the esophagus for very long.

In other words, the acid does not have enough time to irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn.

But if even small amounts of refluxed material come all the way up into the throat, other problems can occur. The reason: Compared to the esophagus, the voice box and throat are much more sensitive to injury and irritation from stomach acid. Also, LPR can sometimes affect a person's breathing and lungs.

If you use tobacco, quit.

Smoking makes you reflux. After every cigarette you have some LPR.

Don't wear clothing that is too tight, especially around the waist (trousers, corsets, belts).

Do not lie down just after eating ... in fact, do not eat within three hours of bedtime.

You should be on a low-fat diet.

Limit your intake of red meat.

Limit your intake of butter.

Avoid fried foods.

Avoid chocolate

Avoid cheese.

Avoid eggs.

Specifically avoid caffeine (especially coffee and tea), soda pop (especially cola) and mints.

Avoid alcoholic beverages, particularly in the evening.

Most patients with LPR require some treatment most of the time and some people need medicine all of the time. Some people recover completely for months or years and then may have a relapse. In one way, having LPR is a little like having high blood pressure -- with treatment, LPR does not usually cause serious medical problems, but without treatment, LPR can be serious, even dangerous.For people with severe LPR, or people who cannot take reflux medicine, antireflux surgery (to restore a new and better stomach valve) may be recommended. In people who have this surgery, most get good relief from LPR for many years.

LPR can cause serious problems. LPR can cause noisy breathing, choking episodes, breathing problems (such as asthma or bronchitis), and, very uncommonly, cancer of the esophagus, lung, throat or voice box. (For cancer to develop as a result of LPR, the LPR must be very severe andgo untreated for many years.)