Your email adddress is safe with us. View our Privacy policy.
Heartburn pills may increase osteoporosis
The study suggests that those who use the medications regularly for five years had a 44 percent higher chance of hip fracture, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.
The scientists at the University of Manitoba say they suspect the medications might inhibit the body from absorbing calcium, which is needed for healthy, strong bones.
Osteoporosis affects about one in three women and one in 12 men, the newspaper reported.
Some doctors said patients should not be alarmed by the study's findings.
"There are very safe drugs but there are some areas where they are probably over-prescribed, such as for minor indigestion," said Dr. Chris Hawley, president-elect of the British Society of Gastroenterology.
Ingvar Bjarnason, a gastroenterology expert at Kings College London, said benefits of the indigestion medication outweighs the risks.
"The risk of fractures among patients on the drugs is still very low and I believe the benefits still outweigh any risks," Bjarnason was quoted as saying.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International
This news arrived on: 08/16/2008
Printer Friendly Version | Send this page to a friend | Post Comment
Rate This Story:
Great - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - Bad
Posted Comments:
08-21-2008 19:45
Melody Yaneza wrote:
Experts should improve the drug then
If it increases the chance for osteoporosis then those people concerned should do something about it. Otherwise, vitamin or milk manufacturers can take advantage of this predicament to sell their calcium supplements to these heartburn pill users.
Comment archive | Comment FAQ's
 |
 |
View Health & Fitness ezine stories by date or visit the complete archive |
The ArcaMax Politics channel is one of 70 content categories offered by ArcaMax Publishing on this ... |
Body Mass
