Warning as 'common medication' linked to 33% increase in risk of developing dementia

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A recent study reported in Neurology has sparked concerns amongst health professionals, detailing how extended use of widely taken acid reflux medication, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), can significantly heighten the risk of dementia by 33 percent.

It emerged that individuals on PPIs for more than four-and-a-half years were particularly vulnerable.These medications aim to ease symptoms of acid reflux a condition where stomach acid reverses into the oesophagus, frequently post-meals or while reclining blocking enzymes which create acid in the stomach's lining.

Although helpful for those suffering from acid reflux, PPIs have been tied to a range of adverse health impacts in previous findings.Highlighting the risks, Professor Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, principal author of the study, stated: "Proton pump inhibitors are a useful tool to help control acid reflux, however long-term use has been linked in previous studies to a higher risk of stroke, bone fractures and chronic kidney disease."Elaborating on potential implications of continuous consumption, she added, "Still, some people take these drugs regularly, so we examined if they are linked to a higher risk of dementia.

While we did not find a link with short-term use, we did find a higher risk of dementia associated with long-term use of these drugs." A team of researchers analysed over 5,700 individuals aged 45 and above who were dementia-free at the start of the study, according to the Express.