news&views Autumn 2018 | Page 12

ARTA Health Gary Sawatzky | COO and Director of Member Services, ARTA Prolonged Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors In the winter 2017 edition of news&views (available for download from goo.gl/VjQZd3), we wrote about the maximum recommended duration to take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are medications often prescribed by physicians to treat gastroesophageal refl ux disease (GERD), refl ux esophagitis, dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, Barrett’s esophagus, and symptoms associated with stomach acid such as heartburn and acid indigestion. The article included a reference to the AGS Beers Criteria of Potentially Inappropriate Drugs, which recommends avoiding use of PPIs beyond eight weeks in older adults, and the potential negative health eff ects of taking a PPI beyond the maximum recommended duration. While some members may be taking PPIs because they require longer term treatment for their health condition, there may be a signifi cant number of ARTA members who do not need to take PPIs to treat an ongoing medical condition. 12 | arta.net Here are some diet and lifestyle alternatives that may potentially reduce PPI use. • Watch what you eat. A number of foods can trigger heartburn. You should pay attention to what you are eating in order to avoid certain foods that may be giving you heartburn. Common foods that may cause heartburn include alcohol, fried food or junk food, spicy food, garlic or onions, citrus fruits, chocolate and peppermint, beverages that contain caff eine, and tomatoes. • Eat smaller meals. • Do not eat before going to bed. You should also lie in bed with your head raised by using extra pillows. • Stop smoking. Studies show that smoking raises your risk for heartburn and acid refl ux. • Lose weight. Studies (see goo.gl/PKiq1n) show that by dropping a few pounds, you could reduce heartburn and acid refl ux. • Wear loose clothing, rather than tight. The added pressure from tight fi tting clothes that constrict your abdomen can make heartburn worse. There are also a number of natural remedies that may be used to treat heartburn. • Try baking soda. A teaspoon of baking soda (a base substance) neutralizes stomach acid so that even if it comes up, you won’t feel a burning sensation. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with eight ounces of water and drink all of it. Repeat, if needed, not exceeding seven doses in a day. If you have high blood pressure, or are on a sodium- reduced diet, you should consult with your doctor before using this alternative. • Chew gum. People experiencing heartburn can get some relief by chewing sugar-free gum for thirty minutes after they eat, according to a study conducted by the Journal of Dental Research (goo.gl/5dGXML). Chewing a piece of gum stimulates the salivary glands, which increases saliva. The saliva