Drs are quick to prescribe Protein Pump Inhibitors (PPI) such as Prilosec to children with reflux. The medical approach suggests that reflux is caused from high levels of stomach acid which burn the esophagus. A PPI is designed to block the production of stomach acid to reduce reflux.
What many parents don’t realise is that by blocking stomach acid, a build up of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth occurs (SIBO). SIBO is a major cause of hypothyroidism. When Drs see a high TSH they medicate with Thyroid Drugs and the cycle continues.
Reduced stomach acid inhibits absorption of Vitamin B12, compromising neurological function, it prevents proper digestion of protein, needed for growth and development.
Stomach acid is essential to maintain levels of bacteria in the stomach and small intestine due to its acidic nature. When we block stomach acid, overgrowth occurs. A common outcome is Escherichia Coli overgrowth which is associated with Failure To Thrive in infants. Children on PPI’s have increased levels of E. Coli, their growth is compromised, their thyroid function is compromised and worse still…they can’t get off this medication.
PPI’s are one of the most difficult drug medications to come off, because when patients try to come off they often experience intense pain, nausea, headaches and worsening of their reflux.
I recently helped a child come off a PPI, after 3 years of unsuccessful attempts by the child’s parents. If you need help with this make an appointment and I will tailor a program specifically for your child, as well as supporting their thyroid and gut health.
“Gastroesophageal reflux is a common phenomenon in infants, but the differentiation between gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease can be difficult. Symptoms are non-specific and there is increasing evidence that the majority of symptoms may not be acid-related. Despite this, gastric acid inhibitors such as proton pump inhibitors are widely and increasingly used, often without objective evidence or investigations to guide treatment. Several studies have shown that these medications are ineffective at treating symptoms associated with reflux in the absence of endoscopically proven oesophagitis. With a lack of evidence for efficacy, attention is now being turned to the potential risks of gastric acid suppression. Previously assumed safety of these medications is being challenged with evidence of potential side effects including GI and respiratory infections, bacterial overgrowth, adverse bone health, food allergy and drug interactions.”
Widespread use of gastric acid inhibitors in infants: Are they needed? Are they safe?
