Risks from Proton Pump Inhibitor Use

Evaluating Risk Factors: Proton Pump Inhibitor Use

Evaluating your likely current (and near future) state of health means taking into account the risk factors — such as proton pump inhibitor use — that affect you. Our medical diagnosis tool, The Analyst™, identifies major risk factors by asking the right questions.

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If you indicate history of antacid use or currently using antacid, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Have you used proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prilosec (Nexium) or Prevacid?

Possible responses:

→ No / don't know
→ Minor use in the past
→ Significant use in the past
→ Currently using for up to 6 months
→ Currently using for over 6 months

The Diagnostic Process

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either past PPI antacid use or PPI antacid use, The Analyst™ will use differential diagnosis to consider possibilities such as:

Bacterial Dysbiosis

Research suggests that gastritis and ulcers are triggered by bacterial overgrowth, rather than by stomach acidity. Long-term treatment of patients with potent acid blockers (proton pump inhibitors) which produce a more alkaline environment that is unfriendly to acid-tolerant bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori, may actually allow the overgrowth of other types of bacteria in the stomach, including Lactobacillus, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus and Propionibacterium which can result in inflammation, gastritis and ulceration. [Gastroenterology, Jan 2002]

Heartburn / GERD / Acid Reflux

Vitamin B12 Requirement

Prilosec (omeprazole) has been shown to decrease B12 absorption.

Zinc Requirement

Gastric acid secretion plays an important role in the regulation of zinc absorption in men. Drugs that keep stomach pH values of 3 or greater for at least 24 hours may predispose individuals to zinc deficiency.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™