Acid reflux happens when acid enters the esophagus because of a leaky valve. Acid reflux is commonly triggered by a lot of food types like alcohol, carbonated drinks, chocolate and coffee. Most people take antacids to relieve it, but a recent study shows commonly-prescribed acid suppression medications are linked to intestinal infections.
According to Express, heartburn or acid reflux, cause an unpleasant taste in the mouth, a sore throat, chronic cough and pain in the chest. A Scottish study, which was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, looked at the exposure of a population in Tayside to acid suppressive medicine such as such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and their risk of intestinal infections.
Those Who Took Acid Suppression Medications Had Increased Risks In Bacterial Infection
Study results show that those who took acid suppression medications had 1.7-times and 3.7-times increased risks of C. difficile and Campylobacter bacteria, respectively,as compared to those who did not take the medication, News Medical reported. Findings suggest that there are significant adverse gastrointestinal effects linked to use of antacids.
"Users of these medications should be particularly vigilant about food hygiene as the removal of stomach acid makes them more easily infected with agents such as Campylobacter, which is commonly found on poultry," senior author of the study, Prof Thomas MacDonald, said.
Patients Who Take PPIs Are At A High Risk Of Developing Diarrhoeal Disease
Campylobacter bacteria are the most common cause of food poisoning. These are usually found on raw or undercooked meat - particularly poultry - unpasteurised milk and untreated water.
Professor Brendan Wren, expert in microbial pathogenesis, said: "The study clearly shows that patients on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are more at risk of developing diarrhoeal disease." Wren added that "a likely explanation for this is that PPIs reduce acid in the stomach which is a mechanism to reduce ingested bacteria reaching our intestines."
