Posted on August 19, 2008 in Lastest News
That sure may not sound good to your ears as nobody likes to give up on their favorite foods, do they? Well, a Canadian study reports that indigestion caused by improper eating patterns and unhealthy choices of food can lead to weakening bones. Actually, it isn’t the food or the ingredients used in the food that has been talked about by the researchers but the measures you take to ease heartburns or a seemingly upset stomach – over the counter drugs that actually contribute towards weak bones or osteoporosis conditions.
The Canadian research suggested that a continuous dependence on such drugs for 5 years in a stretch can increase the risk of hip fractures in people by almost 44%. Researchers claim that Zanprol is one such kind of a drug that people usually take for treating a heartburn or indigestion.
PPIs: Experts opine that such drugs used to treat indigestion are called PPIs or Proton Pump Inhibitors. They are both prescribed or can be purchased directly from chemists.
The University of Manitoba (Canada) conducted a study on about 60000 people who were aged above 60 years. About 16000 of them had already suffered from ailments such as a hip fracture or a spine or wrist fracture at some point in time as a result of osteoporosis.
After having conducted a research on the prescription history, researchers said that those with hip fractures were 62% more likely to be dependent on PPIs for 5 years or even more than those who had healthy hips. In addition, the risk of such drugs seemed to increase by 400% if they were taken for nearly 7 years or more.
How Do PPIs Lead to Weak Bones?
Though not confirmed totally, a theory suggests that PPIs could prevent acid production which in turn can actually disable the body’s capacity to absorb calcium that is needed for building healthy and strong bones.
Professor Chris Hawkey, President of the British Society of Gastroenterology says that though these drugs are really safe to be taken as long they are used to treat an acute conditions and not minor indigestion problems.
Experts are of the opinion that such drugs are administered for 2 months or so to patients to cure severe indigestion and stomach ailments such as – gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder or bleeding ulcers. The only risk involved here is that patients continue to use the drugs even after the severity of an indigestion problem is dealt with in order to ease minor symptoms of heartburns, etc.
Natural Ways for Treating Indigestion
Some natural ways to deal with indigestion are:
- Drink a glass of water with a spoonful of baking soda
- Do not overeat
- Chew your food well and slowly
- Try yoga, tai chi or meditate to reduce your stress
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid gaseous drinks and artificial sweeteners
- Quit alcohol and cigarettes
Warning: Researchers opine that the continuity of the PPIs should be accompanied with proper medical advice to avoid the weakening of bones caused due to frequent and habituated use of these over the counter or prescribed drugs for indigestion.
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November 13th, 2008 at 7:09 am
[...] Eat proteins and carbohydrates separately: Proteins require an acidic medium to aid digestion and carbohydrates require an alkaline medium. Don’t combine the two for indigestion to follow. [...]