People who take proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for treating acid reflux every day for four-and-a-half years or more are at a 33% increased risk of developing dementia.
Acid reflux is when stomach acid flows into the esophagus, usually after a meal or when lying down. People with acid reflux may experience heartburn and ulcers. | Health
Have you ever experienced an uncomfortable feeling after having an oily meal? After a heavy meal, do you feel a burning sensation in your chest and sour acidic food refluxes into your throat? If your answer is yes , then you may be suffering from heartburn. And, believe it or not, this condition may lead to certain cancers.
Let us simplify it a bit.
Most of the food that we eat is broken down in our stomach as the acid helps with the mixing and churning process. Certain cells in the stomach secrete this acid. The stomach is lined by a protective coating which does not allow this acid to act on the wall of the stomach. However, a hearty meal can induce increased production of this acid which refluxes back into the food pipe (i.e. oesophagus) and the throat. The throat and oesophagus do not have this protective layer and may lead to burning up of their native cells.