Are your reflux medications giving you a headache?
In 1959, Bristol-meyers advertised its buffered overthe-counter pain reliever with the catchy phrase: “Don’t trade a headache for an upset stomach.” Fastforward almost 65 years and researchers from the University of Maryland are asking, “Are you trading an upset stomach for a headache?”
Their new study reveals that common drugs taken for acid reflux and GERD, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIS) like Nexium and Prevacid, and H2 blockers, like Tagamet and Pepcid, increase your risk of migraine headaches.
The researchers looked at data on almost 12,000 folks and found that those taking PPIS were 70% more likely to have migraines than people not taking the medication, and those taking H2 blockers were 40% more likely.
About 15 million Americans take a PPI each year and millions of others use H2 blockers -- that’s a lot of potential headaches. Because chronic acid reflux -- GERD -- can cause complications, including esophageal cancer, it is important to work with your doctor to tamp down symptoms or eradicate the condition (surgery can sometimes help). But there’s a lot you can do to ease heartburn by avoiding food triggers and eating smaller meals more frequently. It’s also important to reduce your waist size if you’re overweight or obese to relieve pressure on your stomach. And try sleeping with your head elevated but don’t lie down for at least two hours after eating.
For information on acid-soothing supplements, check out iherb.com’s “GERD: What It Is, Foods + Supplements That May Help,” and “8 Natural Products for Heartburn and Acid Reflux.”