Dr Poonam Krishan shared advice on PPIs for people with conditions such as acid reflux and indigestion

Dr Poonam Krishan on BBC Morning Live said people take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole for conditions such as: heartburnyou need to be careful about acid reflux and indigestion. A quarter of adults across the UK suffer from acid reflux disease, with many people experiencing episodes throughout their lives, often triggered by a large meal.

For people who are dealing with persistent symptoms, doctors may prescribe a PPI, such as omeprazole, to reduce discomfort. However, Dr. Poonam emphasized the need for care, especially for patients taking the drug for a long period of time, and stressed the importance of regular medical tests. Dr. Punam is NHS He is a GP and a trainee doctor on BBC Morning Live.

She also works as a media doctor. health Broadcast writer, children’s literature writer. addressing BBC Morning Live hosts Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton, medical experts, began their warning by explaining to the audience what acid reflux entails.

she explained. “Acid reflux is all about what’s going on in your stomach. We all have acid in our stomachs, and it has a very important role. Its job is to break down food and digest it. At the top of your stomach, there’s a little valve, a sphincter, that acts like a trapdoor.”

“And its role is basically to seal the contents and prevent acid from refluxing up the food pipe, or esophagus. But if that sphincter, or valve, becomes too loose, it can become very relaxed, such as with a heavy meal. If you drink alcohol, or if you lie down right after a heavy meal, acid from the stomach can end up refluxing up the food pipe and cause the burning sensation of heaviness that people feel.”

When host Gethin asked, “So what are the most common treatments?” Dr. Poonam explained that there are a variety of approaches available. On the show, which aired late last year, she said that advice still has relevance. “There are a lot of things we can do. Of course, if you’re having symptoms from time to time, a lot of people take medications like antacids or basically alginates. Examples include Gaviscon. These basically help neutralize the acid. They’re very effective and can only be used when needed.”

For more persistent discomfort, she noted, doctors often prescribe proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, such as omeprazole or lansoprazole. “If the discomfort persists, we often prescribe proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs for short. Examples of that are omeprazole, lansoprazole. And these are incredible and have really changed the way acid reflux is treated. They essentially help treat the source of the acid.”

NHS GPs have issued a warning to people using PPIs, explaining: “Essentially, these drugs are not there to be used unnecessarily or for long periods of time. These drugs require us to look at them. And that’s because long-term use can slightly increase the risk of things like low magnesium, low vitamin B12, but also increases the risk of intestinal infections, especially Clostridioides difficile. We call it C. diff. It’s short.”

Dr. Punam continued, emphasizing the importance of regular monitoring for long-term PPI users. “We all have this bacteria in our guts, you and I, and we all have this bacteria, and we live in balance. But drugs like PPIs can upset that balance. And when this bacteria overgrows, it can cause persistent diarrhea. That’s a red flag.”

“So if that’s an issue and you suddenly start having diarrhea, you should definitely talk to your doctor. Or if there’s a change in your bowel habits, I always say talk to your doctor. Just make sure you’ve gotten those reviews from your GP.”

Helen asked, “The problem is, even if it works, you keep doing it, right?” Dr. Poonam agreed, “Yes.”

Gethin added, “But you don’t even know how long you’re going to end up taking it, right?” Dr. Poonam said, “Well, that’s it. Sometimes just taking medicines can solve the problem, but it’s just taking medicines. So get tested regularly.”

How often should people taking PPIs see their GP?

If you are taking over-the-counter omeprazole, do not use it for more than 2 weeks. Depending on the situation, you may need to consult a doctor.

If omeprazole is prescribed for a long period of time, your doctor should perform regular monitoring. Your doctor will schedule follow-up visits, usually every 6 to 12 months, to suit your personal health requirements and risk factors.

If your doctor recommends taking omeprazole for more than a year, regular reviews are essential to reduce the chance of long-term side effects.

Which symptoms should I be aware of?

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include muscle spasms, fatigue, and irregular heartbeat, as well as less obvious signs such as decreased appetite, feeling sick, and general weakness. More severe deficiencies can cause numbness, pain, personality changes, seizures, and abnormal heart rhythms.

Indicators of vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, weakness, pale face, and a red tongue that is painful or inflamed. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and gastrointestinal problems, as well as neurological issues such as tingling, balance difficulties, and cognitive problems.

Signs of a C. diff intestinal infection include loose, watery bowel movements, abdominal cramps or discomfort, increased body temperature (fever), feeling sick, decreased appetite, and loss of body fluids.

In severe cases, complications can occur, including fatal intestinal inflammation.

What tests are available for confirmation?

Helen asked, “What if I want to do something without drugs? Can I relieve my symptoms without taking drugs?”

The NHS GP replied: “If your symptoms don’t go away despite your efforts to manage them, it’s important to speak to your GP as they may want to investigate further.

“Ultimately, we want to know what the root cause of this is, and if it’s something more serious. We’ll do tests such as checking for the presence of a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, which increases acid production. We may also refer you for a gastroscopy, which is a camera exam that goes into your stomach to see if there’s anything more serious, like inflammation or ulcers.”

What are the alternative treatments other than drug therapy?

Dr. Punam explained: “At the end of the day, medicine is great, but there are many things we can do every day in our lifestyle that will make a big difference. First, if you suffer from heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux, eat less.

“Eating a large, heavy meal can actually put a lot of pressure on your stomach. Again, when you get back into that valve state, it loosens up a little bit and can cause stomach acid to build up.

“Avoid lying down for at least three to four hours after eating, as lying down can relax your sphincter muscles and allow acid to flow back into your esophagus.

“If you have symptoms, just prop up a pillow so your chest is slightly higher than your hips and lean forward a little. Again, avoid lying flat. This really, really helps.”

“Don’t wear tight clothing. It’s tempting to unbutton your jeans after a meal, but try to wear loose clothing, because tight clothing can actually put a lot of pressure on your stomach.”

“Gentle teas like chamomile work really well. Ginger tea is great. Chamomile works really well, but ginger tea is great. A lot of people turn to mint. Mint is great if you have irritable bowel syndrome or stomach cramps, but it can actually make the problem worse if you have reflux. So stick to ginger tea or chamomile tea.”

“Avoid certain foods, too. Know your triggers. So keep a diary. I’m a big fan of diaries. When you get symptoms, find out what you did or did that day that might have made your symptoms worse. Getting that checked out by a doctor really helps us. Also, managing your weight. Needless to say, I think it makes a big difference.”