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Zantac, one of the popular medications used to reduce excess stomach acid |
Research results from scientists at McGill University (Canada) published in the American Medical Association journal on December 20 indicate that regular use of medications to reduce excess stomach acid may increase the risk of diarrhea.
The study conducted by scientists at McGill University (Canada) published in the American Medical Association journal on December 20 reveals that frequent use of medications designed to reduce excess stomach acid could elevate the risk of developing diarrhea.
Medications such as Nexium and Losec are used as inhibitors to prevent excessive secretion of fluids and acids in the stomach.
However, according to Ms. Sandra Dial, the lead author of the study, these medications may also triple the levels of Clostridium bacteria.
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Clostridium bacteria |
Clostridium bacteria are a common and notoriously difficult-to-treat cause of diarrhea.
Meanwhile, medications like Zantac can double the risk of diarrhea.
Despite this, Ms. S. Dial stated that these results are preliminary and indicate a correlation between acid-reducing medications and diarrhea.
Ms. S. Dial and her colleagues at McGill University examined data from 18,000 patients in the UK over a 10-year period (1994 – 2004) before arriving at these conclusions.
