Page 15 - Boca Exposure - September '19

Boca Exposure, Page 15
Heartburn, Indigestion And Protein Pump Inhibitors

By Steven E. Reznick, take a host of medicines including proton pump inhibitors PPI (Protonix) for three years had no more illness or
M.D. FACP (PPI) such as Nexium, Protonix, Prilosec. Drugs like adverse effects than those taking a placebo. L. Cohen,
I have seen multiple Tagamet, Zantac (H2 Receptor Blockers), Tums, Rolaids M.D., a reviewer at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in
adult patients with are far less effective. New York, concluded that the study provided strong
intractable heartburn, In recent years, numerous articles have appeared in evidence of the safety of PPIs for patients taking the
reflux, indigestion and medical journals stating that protein pump inhibitors, drug for three consecutive years.
chest pressure all related when taken regularly, can predispose to increased and The controversy will continue. I am sure next week
to food and digestive early death, pneumonia and dementia. A large review someone will produce data revealing some additional
enzymes kicking back up article from a prominent G.I. group in Boston, and horrible consequences of taking these medications
the esophagus from the published in the New England Journal of Medicine, tried to relieve heartburn. It will ultimately come down to
stomach through a lax to eloquently refute these claims but the doubt about long- individual decisions about quality of life versus potential
group of muscles known term safety lingers buoyed by numerous lay periodicals risks because the lifestyle changes necessary to control
as the lower esophageal sphincter. All these patients and online Internet sites sensationalizing the downsides this problem are difficult for human beings to sustain
receive a fiberoptic upper endoscopy (EGD) at some of these medicines. over a long period of time.
point and are observed and biopsied to eliminate the To allay the patient’s fears, doctors and patients work Board Certified in internal medicine, with qualifications
possibility of ulcers, cancer, gastric polyps, esophageal together to try and stop the PPIs and substitute the older in geriatrics, Boca Raton physician Steven E. Reznick has
cancer, potential esophageal cancer and Helicobacter standbys like Tagamet and Zantac, but they just don’t practiced in the area since 1979. He is recognized by
Pylori bacteria as the cause. provide the symptom relief that the PPIs do. Patients face fellow physicians as a “Best Doctor” and is nationally
They are all treated with weight control suggestions, the dilemma of taking the medicine that works best and recognized for his health care blog. For information
avoiding a host of foods, most of which are quite healthy incurring the potential risks or suffering. about his concierge medicine practice, or to schedule
from a cardiovascular standpoint, plus limits on alcohol, In a recent edition of the journal Gastroenterology, a complimentary meeting with Dr. Reznick, call (561)
elimination of tobacco and other indulgences of adults. Paul Moayyedi, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D. from McMaster 368-0191 or visit www.BocaConciergeDoc.com.
We ask these patients to wear loose clothing at the University in Canada followed 17,000 patients for three
waistline, avoid reclining for three hours after eating and years with half the group taking PPIs. Those taking a