2024-07-07 12:56:52
In recent years, stomach acid blockers such as omeprazole or pantoprazole have been repeatedly suspected of being partly responsible for some diseases. Now there is another significant thing – people who take acid blockers suffer more often from migraines and tension headaches.
A research team led by Margaret Slavin from the University of Maryland assessed data on nearly 12,000 men and women who were asked about the use of acid-suppressing medications and the occurrence of migraines and other severe headaches. Those who took a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) – thought to be particularly effective at suppressing acid formation in the stomach – were found to have a 70 percent higher risk of migraines. Those who swallowed the less effective H2 blockers had a 40 percent increased risk.
3.7 billion
Daily doses of PPI inhibitors prescribed annually in Germany. “Too many people take acid blockers,” says gastroenterologist Stefan Christl.
This is a clear indication that the tendency to migraines is not a random side effect, but is related to the desired effect of the medication, ie preventing acid formation. For tension headaches, both types of medication increased the risk by 20 percent.
How can medication headache
But how can stomach medications cause headaches? The most convincing explanatory model is that – because they greatly affect the digestive process – they weaken the absorption of magnesium from food. And if there is a lack of this mineral, it has consequences on the smooth muscles of the blood vessels in the head: they are more likely to sleep, which can lead to migraine attacks. Slavin could shown in another studythat the number of headache days is significantly reduced when the supply of magnesium is secured. This is exactly what is at stake when acid inhibitors interfere with the digestive process.
Millions of people take stomach acid blockers – it is now known that they often suffer from migraines and headaches.
© imago/Westend61/IMAGO/MORNINGVIEW AGENCY
The American neurologist thus recommends: “Patients with migraines or other severe headaches should talk to their doctor about whether they should stop taking acid blockers.” Because Slavin only examined the acid blockers taken as part of standard prescriptions. It is entirely possible that a lower dose will be spared.
Other side effects
This is not the first time that stomach acid blockers such as omeprazole or pantoprazole have had unfavorable side effects. They are also suspected of increasing the risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, intestinal infections, allergies and kidney failure.
Last year US researchers discovered link to dementia, the risk of which increases by about one-third if an acid blocker is taken. The main suspected cause behind all these problems: the drug inhibits digestion, so that not only too little magnesium is absorbed, but also too little vitamin B12 and calcium.
More on the subject at Tagesspiegel Plus
From heartburn to dementia Stomach acid blockers may increase the risk Stop migraines Which is created to prevent attacks More than unpleasant You should take frequent heartburn seriously
On the other hand, gastrointestinal experts emphasize the importance of acid blockers for the treatment of stubborn diseases of the digestive tract. “The classic area of application is reflux disease or heartburn, when acid repeatedly flows back from the stomach towards the esophagus,” says Hamburg gastroenterologist Stefan Christl. “Acid blockers work reliably here.” Stomach ulcers also respond well to the drugs.
The problem, however, is their widespread implementation. 3.7 billion daily doses of a single PPI are prescribed in this country each year. “Far too many people are taking acid blockers,” says Christl. According to a study in the United States, the risk of heartburn could be reduced by half if you adhere to the following five points: normal weight, no cigarettes, at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, no soft drinks and diet balanced food without much sugar and red Meat. .
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