Heartburn (also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD) can make your life miserable. Mealtime is associated with a sharp burning pain in the chest due to the seepage of stomach acid into the esophagus.
Popular drugs known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) can bring prompt relief of heartburn. Taken an hour before mealtime, they block the enzymes that make stomach acid. This can reduce stomach acid by up to 90%, so when it backs up into the esophagus, it doesn’t cause the burning sensation.
Known side effects of PPIs include fatigue, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, and an irregular heartbeat. Now, even darker side of these drugs is emerging. Recent research has linked PPIs with an increased risk for a heart attack, even if you have no prior history of cardiovascular disease.
