Nexium Hip Fracture:

Nexium and Other Heartburn Drugs Can Cause Hip Fractures

By Dr. Ben Kim
DrBenKim.com

A study published in a recent edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that taking heartburn drugs like Nexium, Prilosec, or Prevacid for one year or longer can significantly increase the risk of experiencing a hip fracture in people over 50 years of age.

According to IMS Health, a corporation that tracks drug sales all over the world, Nexium is one of the most popular drugs in the world, second only to the cholesterol drug Lipitor. Sales of Nexium totaled $4.6 billion in 2005.

Clearly, millions of people who are currently taking Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, or any other drug in the same class of proton pump inhibitors need to carefully consider the decision to be on one of these drugs.

The authors of this study suggest that when proton pump inhibitors decrease the acid content of the stomach, the body may lose some of its ability to absorb calcium, which can potentially lead to weaker bones and teeth.

The study also indicates that another class of drugs that is used to suppress the discomfort of heartburn - known as H2 blockers - also poses a similar but smaller risk of paving the way to developing hip fractures. The most popular H2 blockers on the North American market are Tagamet and Pepcid.

Overall, the study took into account medical records of more than 145,000 patients in England. Those who used proton pump inhibitors for a year or more had a 44 percent higher risk of experiencing hip fractures compared to those who did not use one of these drugs; the higher the dose, the higher the risk of developing a hip fracture.

Natural Ways To Decrease Heartburn

The following are dietary and lifestyle measures that I have found to be helpful for many cases of chronic heartburn:

1. Eat in a way that minimizes gas production. Bloating from gas production can put pressure on and weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, which usually leads to heartburn. The keys to minimizing gas production are:
   • Don't overeat
   • Chew your food until liquid
   • Avoid foods that your digestive system simply cannot tolerate - dairy is a problem for many non-Caucasians
2. Avoid alcohol, especially hard liquor.
3. Avoid excessive intake of caffeine.
4. Avoid regular exposure to nicotine.
5. Avoid regular intake of spicy foods.
6. Wear loose, comfortable clothing around your chest, back, and abdomen.
7. Spend time each day doing something that helps you experience a sense of inner calm and balance. Listening to soothing music or sitting in meditation or prayer are excellent options.

If your heartburn is being caused by a hiatal hernia (a condition where a portion of your stomach is pushing into your diaphragm and putting pressure on your esophagus), you may find the following article to be helpful:

Hiatal Hernia Treatment

Please share this article with friends or family members who are currently taking a drug for heartburn.

Improve Your Health With Our Free E-mail Newsletter

Join thousands of people from all over the world who receive our natural health newsletter.

• 100% free. You can unsubscribe anytime.
• No spam. We respect and protect your privacy at all times.
• Valuable information that you can use to improve the quality of your health and life.

Reviews

Just a note to let you know how much I appreciate your newsletter. As a fellow health care provider (optometrist) and medical researcher, I find your distillation of the literature into lay terms to be accurate and very understandable. I really enjoyed your contribution regarding macular degeneration. Keep up the good work. - Kristine Erickson, OD, PhD, FAAO

I get a lot of e-mailed newsletters and yours is the only one I read thoroughly from top to bottom. Your advice is enlightening, educational, easy to follow and it works! Thank you so much for all that you offer. - Lisa Abramovic

Thanks for your excellent health newsletter. I look forward to it every week. Thanks for providing the best online health resource I have found. - Moorea Maguire

I'm sure as a doctor you hear your share of complaints. I just thought you'd like to know that there's at least one person in your "e-audience" that appreciates the time and effort you put into sending the emails. I really look forward to them. - Linda H., Raleigh, North Carolina

Many of my adult ESL students are Korean, and enjoy bits and pieces from your newsletter that I have shared with them. In addition to your logical approach to health, I enjoy sharing your newsletter because your English is unfailingly correct as well as easily understood. Thank you for your beautiful approach to life. - J. Zetterstrom

I thank you and your staff for such a great website. I am former National Level Bodybuilder so I know a thing or two about health and fitness. Your site is very valuable and I do my best to pass it on to friends and people I train. It is also a helpful resource in my career as a human service provider working with clients who need to recover from substance abuse. I believe a major part of recovery is getting your body and mind feeling healthy and strong. Thank you again! Great Website! - Michael Christopher, MSW

I truly appreciate your wonderful newsletter - your balanced and professional way of looking at issues is so helpful! - Erica H.