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As is often the case, when we find one solution for something, it leads to another problem.
Scientists recently noticed that stomach acid-reducing drugs may actually raise the risk of future allergies.
Research shows that people who are prescribed proton-pump inhibitors, otherwise known as PPIs, are twice as likely to require anti-allergy medicine in the future. Women and people over 60 were most at risk of this happening.
Tests have already been conducted on mice in addition to cellular studies and clinical observations. Scientists have also examined data from the health records of more than 8 million people in Austria over a four-year period.
Healthy immune systems can be hypersensitive to things, which can lead to the development of allergies. As part of the digestion process, stomach acid breaks down the protein molecules in food into smaller particles. People who take medicine for stomach issues do not go through the normal chemical reaction phase to break down protein. As a result, larger protein molecules and substances can pass through the intestine, which can trigger an allergic reaction.
The study did not include any information on other possible diseases or conditions a patient may have had, so the results cannot be conclusive at this time. Regardless, this should raise some red flags to people who are taking anti-ulcer medications. These types of medicines should only be used if they are clinically needed, otherwise people could be opening the door to more problems down the road.
