by Zoe Hardy – MSN News
Health officials have warned that long-term use of acid reflux drugs to combat indigestion could increase the risk of developing a potentially deadly bacterial infection.
Acid reflux—when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the gullet—is a common cause of indigestion, and the burning pain this produces is what most people describe as
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), such as Omeprazole, are one of the UK's most prescribed medications in the UK to treat the condition, with 73million NHS prescriptions dispensed in England in 2022-23.
But the NHS has issued a statement warning against taking the drug for longer than 2 Weeks without a prescription, over fears it could increase the risk of Clostridioides difficile.
Commonly referred to as C. diff, the highly contagious bug, which initially infects the bowel and causes diarrhoea, can trigger life-threatening complications. It kills up to one in five patients that fall ill with it.
C. diff usually lives harmlessly in the bowel, but PPIs such as omeprazole, which work by reducing stomach acid, can throw off the natural balance of bacteria in the organ, increasing the risk of a C. diff infection.
The bug becomes Life Threatening if the bacteria infect other parts of the body outside the bowel.
This can trigger Sepsis, a life-threatening Over-Reaction from the Immune System to an Infection.
Another potential complication is the bacteria spilling into other areas of the abdomen causing a potentially deadly infection called Peritonitis.
The warning comes amid debate over the long-term use of common acid-suppressing medications.
PPIs work by reducing acid production in the stomach—large amounts of which can cause indigestion, acid coming 'back up' the Oesophagus, and sometimes stomach ulcers.
Normally, a valve called the lower oesophageal sphincter prevents acid reflux from occurring, but if it weakens or relaxes at the wrong time, acid can escape and irritate the oesophagus.
PPIs stop stomach acid from collecting in the stomach, relieving uncomfortable symptoms such as indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux.
But, experts have long cautioned that relying on acid-suppressing medicines for simple heartburn can have long-lasting, damaging effects.
Pharmacist Deborah Grayson, known as the godmother of pharmacology on TikTok, warned in a viral video: 'It can be helpful to have Omeprazole if you've got Gastritis or erosion in your Oesophagus, but if you've only got simple heartburn-related problems, longer term it can have greater impacts on the body.'
While reflux is uncomfortable, stomach acid is essential for digestion. It activates pepsin, an enzyme that breaks down proteins in the gut, and helps soften food.
It also protects against harmful microbes in food.
'Reduced stomach acid can also compromise the Gut's Natural Defense Barrier, increased susceptibility to Infections such as C. diff, Campylobacter and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO),' Ms Grayson added.
'These can cause further gastrointestinal symptoms and, in some cases, serious complications.'
The NHS adds: 'Do not take Omeprazole for longer than two weeks if you bought it without a prescription.
'See a GP if your symptoms get worse or do not get better.'
It comes as health officials warned in May that cases of a c. diff have surged by a third in just a year, as experts point the finger at an overwhelmed NHS.
In the report, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said the number of cases seen in 2023-24 was 29.5 per 100,000 people.
This is 33 per cent rise since 2020-21 and the highest level seen in over a decade, the body said.
C. diff is thought to be the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections, those that happen when a patient is in hospital.
The bacteria is spread by spores in infected patients' faeces that can survive for an extremely long time in the environment.
This allows them to be spread by people who have been in contact with infected patients or contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms of a C. diff infection include Diarrhoea, High Temperature, Loss of Appetite, Nausea and Stomach Pain.
People who have had diarrhoea and recently taken antibiotics, have any bloody diarrhoea or have had diarrhoea for a week or more should contact NHS 111 or their GP for advice.
Research has also showed that up to 40 per cent of patients do not respond to a PPI, so the drug is rendered useless in those cases.
STATEMENT
As far as I’m concerned, based on a Lot of Information like this from Research – especially that which keeps surfacing in recent times – many of Big Pharma’s Nasty Little Creations they have to offer “Patients” could be referred to as a Form of Witchcraft.
You tell me the difference between ‘Witches Concoctions’ and certain ‘Pharmaceutical Concoctions’ when both are Very Nasty and Destructive, causing Harm to People’s Health and Welfare? Not to mention sometimes Fatal.
The Medical System which is Run by Big Pharma, is NOT a Health Profession – it is a Sickness Industry – so remember that when approaching your Local MD/GP or Chemist/Pharmacy for “Help” with something, some of those “Nasty Little Packages” may Not Help You at all. They may Hinder Your Health greatly or even place it in Danger like you have been reading about in this Article.
There are plenty of others I have sited and keep finding. Some of their Nasty Little Creations should not be so readily available in Supermarkets either – it’s Outrageous because people who reach for them on those shelves have No Idea what they’re actually taking. It’s like helping yourself to Toxic Cocktails.
I Caution You: Please don’t do that. A Lot of people could tell you “they’re worse for wear” not better off. Those MEDS don’t only carry a Long List of Side Effects, some of them have Very Nasty Consequences. And mind you Medical Induced Disorders which are “kept under the carpet” are on the Rise. Do yourself a Favour and GO NATURAL with your Health when possible – it’s Far Safer.
If you want to know why Big Pharma is So Evil, you should click HERE for an Article I just posted called
Who Started the Medical System and FDA? Was It a Good Thing? NO It Was Far From It – See Why!
I have included an Audio from a YouTube Video for you that gives you History Facts on the Guy who Started Big Pharma Etc. It’s far from boring, I assure you and it’s a real Wake-Up Call that will make sense of a Lot of things. You have the right to know!