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Heartburn Drugs Linked to Kidney Damage in 50% of Patients with No Warning Signs

The AHA! Team — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 05:23:04 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Major warning about heartburn drugs: The problems can develop “silently” Heartburn medications like Prevacid, Nexium, and Prilosec are widely used by Americans with acid reflux. Up to 50 percent of sufferers turn to these drugs. With the backing of big pharma, these brand names have become synonymous with relief for many. Currently, around 7% to 15% of the U.S. population, regardless of age or gender, regularly uses proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These drugs are commonly prescribed to treat reflux and heartburn by reducing stomach acid, and millions more buy them over the counter. However, emerging research links long-term PPI use to potential kidney damage, a serious condition that can develop quietly, often without noticeable symptoms. Major warning about heartburn drugs: The problems can develop “silently” In a five-year study of 125,000 patients published in Kidney International, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that more than half of the cases of chronic kidney damage and end-stage renal damage occurred in people without any previous record of kidney problems. According to senior study author Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, assistant professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, the study showed that kidney problems in patients taking PPIs could develop silently and gradually over time, eroding kidney function and leading to long-term kidney damage or even renal failure. End-stage renal disease is the failure of kidneys to remove waste from the body, necessitating either dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dr. Al-Aly warned that doctors must carefully monitor kidney function in patients taking PPIs – including lansoprazole, omeprazole, and esomeprazole – even when there are no signs or symptoms of damage. The study also evaluated 18,436 new users of another type of heartburn medication: histamine H2 receptor antagonists, or H2 blockers. While H2 blockers don’t work as well on heartburn, researchers found they are less likely to cause kidney problems. Additional studies confirm researchers’ disturbing findings An earlier study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology also showed that long-term use of heartburn medications is associated with kidney damage, with PPI users 28 percent more likely to experience chronic kidney disease and a shocking 96 percent more likely to develop kidney failure. The longer the drugs were taken, the higher the risk. The daily dosage also affects risk. In a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the team found that twice-a-day users of PPIs tripled their risk over people who took a single daily dose. The research team called for using PPIs only when “medically necessary” and limiting the duration of the treatment as well. Lead author Dr. Morgan Grams, assistant professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, pointed out that up to 70 percent of acid reflux prescriptions are handed out “inappropriately” – and he estimated that a full 25 percent of long-term users could stop taking the medication without suffering increased heartburn or acid reflux. Of course, stemming the flow of prescribed PPIs will do nothing to reduce the number of people buying – and taking – these medications over the counter. And, the damage from PPIs isn’t limited to the kidneys. PPIs affect the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals PPIs interfere with the body’s ability to extract vitamin B12, an essential nutrient, from foods. Studies have shown that 75 percent of PPI users are deficient in vitamin B12 – compared to 11 percent among the general non-using population. PPIs can cause dramatic declines in blood magnesium levels, characterized by symptoms of fatigue, unsteadiness, numbness and tingling, seizures, and heart arrhythmias. As if that weren’t enough, PPIs can also lead to poor calcium absorption, raising the risk of bone fracture – especially in older patients. In addition, PPI users are more likely to be obese and have high blood pressure. PPIs are also associated with higher rates of pneumonia and C. difficile, a potentially dangerous bacterial infection. And finally, a German study showed that older adults who take proton pump inhibitors have a 44 percent increased chance of developing dementia. Natural solutions exist for acid reflux Many natural health experts point out that heartburn typically results from too little stomach acid rather than too much – and that PPIs can actually worsen the problem. You may be able to ease heartburn and acid reflux with simple dietary and lifestyle changes – such as avoiding fried, fatty, and processed foods, eating smaller meals, chewing food well, and avoiding smoking and excessive drinking. Eating healthy amounts of vegetables and high-quality organic, unprocessed foods can help restore natural gastric balance, while consuming fermented foods – such as sauerkraut, miso soup, and kimchi – can help eliminate the H. pylori bacterium that can contribute to reflux. Natural, time-honored remedies for heartburn include unfiltered apple cider vinegar, baking soda, ginger root tea, chamomile tea, and slippery elm. Of course, you shouldn’t stop or substitute any prescribed medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider. The best advice on PPIs comes from Dr. Kenneth DeVault, president of the American College of Gastroenterology, “If you don’t need these medications, you shouldn’t take them,” advises DeVault. Editor’s note: Discover the best ways to take better care of your liver, kidneys and metabolic health, own the “Best Value” package of the Fatty Liver Docu-Class created by NaturalHealth365 Programs. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Pharmacytimes.com Medicine.washu.edu Kidney-international.org Sciencedaily.com Sciencedaily.com To read the original article click here.

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Obesity’s Impacts on Our Immune System & Kidney & Liver Diseases

The AHA! Team — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:24:00 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – What are the effects of weight loss on natural killer cell function, our first line of immune defense against cancer, kidney function, and fatty liver disease? In the ABCs of the health consequences of obesity, I is for Immunity. The SOS trial followed the fates of thousands of bariatric surgery patients for a decade or two, compared to a control group who maintained their weight. Those who surgically lost about 20 percent of their body weight not only lived longer, thanks in part to less diabetes and less cardiovascular disease, but they also got less cancer. This may be because anti-tumor immunity appears to be affected by weight. Natural killer cells are our immune system’s first line of defense against cancer cells and many viral infections, “and their function is severely impaired in individuals with obesity.” When individuals who were obese were randomized to a weight-loss program, researchers found a significant reactivation of the participants’ natural killer cell function within just three months. The program involved an exercise component, though, so it’s hard to tease out the impact of the weight loss itself since physical activity on its own can boost natural killer cell activity. On the other end of the immune spectrum, obesity is suspected to be a causal risk factor for the development of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. This suggests obesity is associated with the worst of both worlds when it comes to immune function: underactivity when it comes to protecting against cancer and infection, and overactivity when it comes to certain inflammatory autoimmune conditions. J is for Jaundice. Thanks to the obesity epidemic, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is now the most common liver disorder in the industrialized world. Fat doesn’t just end up in our belly and thighs but inside some of our internal organs. More than 80 percent of individuals with abdominal obesity may have fatty infiltration into their liver, and in those with severe obesity, the prevalence can exceed 90 percent. This can lead to inflammation, scarring, and, ultimately, cirrhosis and liver cancer, as you can see below and a 2:10 in my video The Effects of Obesity on the Immune System and Kidney and Liver Diseases. Currently, this nonalcoholic fatty hepatitis is the leading cause of liver transplants in American women. K is for Kidneys. Obesity is also “one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset chronic kidney disease.” Our kidneys compensate for the metabolic demands of excess weight by red-lining into what’s called “hyperfiltration” to deal with the extra workload. This resulting increased pressure within our kidneys can damage the sensitive structures and increase the risk of kidney failure over the long term. What about L, M, N, O, P through Z? If you want to continue through the alphabet, L could be for diminished lung function, M could be for metabolic syndrome, and so on. There is even an X—for xiphodynia—pain at the tip of the bottom of the breastbone from being bent forward by an expanding abdomen. Given the myriad health conditions associated with excess weight, “annual medical spending attributable to an obese individual” is nearly $2,000 per year and workers who are obese with multiple conditions can cost companies up to $10,000 more in healthcare coverage compared to “their lean counterpart.” Wage Gap This may account for some of the wage gap that employees who are obese may experience, as companies try to pass along these costs of “their higher health insurance premiums,” beyond just brazen discrimination. Between healthcare costs and diminished productivity in terms of lost workdays, the total lifetime costs of obesity for children and teens have been estimated to exceed $150,000. Estimates Some estimates peg the annual “medical care costs of obesity in the United States” at about $150 billion, with another $50 billion per year added by 2030 as our increasingly heavy Baby Boomers continue to age. Others diametrically disagree, based on the morbid fact that individuals who are obese may not live as long. Just as “the high medical costs of smoking-related diseases are more than offset by lower survival of smokers,” the lifetime healthcare costs of individuals who are obese may turn out to be lower because they are expected to die so much sooner. So, the true cost may be more in lives, rather than dollars. How much does being overweight cut your life short? I’ll explore just that question next. If you missed the previous blog posts in my series on the ABCs of obesity, see related posts below. I continue the topic of obesity and weight with these videos: Is the Obesity Paradox Real or a Myth? and Friday Favorites: What’s the Ideal BMI and Waist Size?. For more on the health conditions discussed in this video, see the immune function, kidney disease, and liver health topic pages. Key Takeaways In the SOS trial, individuals who lost 20 percent of their body weight through surgery lived longer and had lower rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, possibly due to improved immune function. Obesity impairs natural killer cells, weakening the body’s defense against cancer and infections, while also increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Obesity is a major cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which can lead to liver inflammation, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, now the leading cause of liver transplants in U.S. women. Excess weight places metabolic stress on the kidneys, leading to hyperfiltration and increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease and eventual kidney failure. Obesity-related health conditions contribute to higher medical costs, lost productivity, and a lifetime financial burden, with annual obesity-related medical costs in the United States, for instance, estimated at $150 billion. To read the original article click here.

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5 Facts About Being a Kidney Donor

The AHA! Team — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 05:42:57 +0000

Duke Health – More than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a kidney donation, according to government statistics. Being a living kidney donor is truly a gift of a lifetime, but many people don’t realize they can give this gift safely. Duke performs about 200 kidney transplants annually, with one third being from living donors. Gayle Vranic, MD, a kidney transplant specialist at Duke University Hospital, dispels five common misconceptions that potential kidney donors may have. Myth: I have to be related to someone to donate a kidney to them. Fact: New anti-rejection medications make it possible to donate to distant relatives and even friends. Duke’s transplant team takes prospective donors through a careful physical and psychological screening process — much of which can be done remotely for donors who live far away — to make sure the donor can undergo the surgery with no ill effects, physical or otherwise. Myth: The surgery is difficult and expensive, and I’ll need to take a lot of time off. Fact: Today’s kidney donation surgery usually takes only a few hours and requires only a few small incisions. Most people — 95% — are discharged the next day. “It usually takes two to three weeks to get back to almost all of your normal activities, including work, and about six to eight weeks to feel completely normal,” Dr. Vranic said. All hospital expenses are paid for by the recipient’s medical coverage — only costs of travel, time off work, and a few post-surgery medications aren’t covered. There are several organizations that may help cover those costs for donors who cannot. Myth: After the surgery, my life will be different, and it might limit what I can do. Fact: Careful screening of donors means that only people who are in very good health will be selected — and for those people, the risk of future complications is very low. Women of childbearing age can still have healthy pregnancies after donating, and the risk for future kidney disease is not affected by the donation of a single kidney. “Your health care needs after the surgery are essentially the same as before the surgery,” said Dr. Vranic. Kidney donors will need regular blood and urine tests to monitor kidney function, and they need to watch their blood pressure and body weight; so, they must visit their primary care doctor every year but, as Dr. Vranic pointed out, that’s something everyone should do anyway. Myth: If my intended recipient and I aren’t a match, the process ends there. Fact: A variety of options makes it possible for you and your recipient to match or to find another compatible pair elsewhere. One option is for the recipient and the donor to receive medical treatments before and after transplant that allow the recipient to receive a kidney from someone with a different blood type. Another option may be for you and your recipient to enter Duke’s paired exchange program. Your recipient receives a kidney from someone else’s donor, and another recipient receives your kidney. Finally, if for some reason you and your donor cannot be a pair, we can help empower your donor to be an advocate and help you in your search for another living donor. Myth: Duke doesn’t accept “Good Samaritan” kidney donations. Fact: Duke accepts altruistic (non-directed) donors — those who are willing to donate a kidney to a recipient in need, even if that person is a stranger. More than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a kidney donation, according to government statistics. To learn more about organ donation, visit unos.org or the National Kidney Foundation. Or learn more about the process by filling out this questionnaire. To read the original article click here.

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11 Early Warning Signs of Kidney Disease

The AHA! Team — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:16:48 +0000

Olivia Cook via Natural News – Your kidneys play a vital role in keeping your body healthy but the signs of trouble are often subtle and easy to miss – until it’s too late. Kidney disease is a silent threat, creeping up unnoticed until it reaches a critical stage. However, catching it early can make all the difference. By recognizing the early warning signs and making lifestyle changes, you can protect your kidneys and potentially save your life. (Related: Cleaning the cleaners: Herbs that help maintain healthy kidneys.) Some of the early warning signs are easy to spot, such as your skin becoming sallow or taking on a more yellowish complexion, your lips darkening, your tongue turning a deep red shade with a bluish tint and thick wide coating, a strong odor of urine coming from your body and full-body swelling. Paying attention to what your body is telling you could help you catch kidney issues early before they become more serious problems down the line. Here are some of the other signs of kidney disease. Ammonia-like breath Ammonia-like odor on your breath could be a sign that your kidneys are not filtering waste effectively. When kidney function declines, waste products, including urea, can build up in the blood. Urea breaks down to form ammonia, which can cause your breath to have a distinctive, unpleasant odor. This symptom often appears as kidney function deteriorates. Blood in your urine Seeing blood in your urine is a serious signal or red flag that something might be wrong. Normally, your kidneys keep blood cells in the body when filtering out waste, but when their filters are damaged, blood cells can leak into the urine. Blood in the urine can be linked to kidney disease, as well as infections, kidney stones or tumors. Cold intolerance If you’re feeling unusually cold all the time, it could be related to kidney disease. Reduced kidney function can lead to anemia, which decreases your body’s ability to regulate temperature. Anemia, along with the overall metabolic changes that occur with kidney disease, can make you more sensitive to cold temperatures. Dry, itchy skin Your kidneys do more than filter waste – they also help regulate and maintain the balance of minerals and nutrients in your body, keep your bones strong and produce red blood cells. When kidney function is compromised and declines, your skin might start feeling dry and itchy due to imbalances in minerals and nutrients. This could be an early warning of bone and mineral disorders associated with kidney disease. Feeling more tired or foggy If you’re feeling unusually tired, low on energy or struggling to concentrate, it might be more than just a rough day, days or week. As your kidneys lose their ability to filter waste from your blood, toxins and waste products can build up – making you feel exhausted and mentally foggy. Kidney-related anemia is another factor that can contribute to this overwhelming sense of fatigue or general body malaise. Muscle cramps Frequent muscle cramps could be linked to kidney issues. Imbalances in electrolytes, such as calcium and phosphorus, which are managed by your kidneys, can lead to cramping, great discomfort and pain. Puffy or swollen eyes Waking up with puffy eyes that don’t seem to go away could be an early indication of kidney trouble. This puffiness can result from your kidneys leading protein into your urine – resulting to fluid retention around your eyes. Reduced appetite Losing interest in food can be caused by many things, but it is also a symptom of declining kidney function. As waste builds up in your body due to poor kidney filtration, you may find that you simply don’t feel like eating. Restless leg syndrome Characterized by an uncomfortable urge to move your legs, restless leg syndrome (RLS) is often accompanied by uncontrollable sensations. It is commonly associated with kidney disease due to the buildup of toxins in the blood, which can affect nerve function. RLS can disrupt your sleep and significantly impact quality of life – making it another important symptom to be aware of. Struggling to sleep Trouble falling or staying asleep might be a sign that your kidneys are not doing their job. When they are not filtering properly, toxins and waste products remain in your bloodstream, which can disrupt your sleep. There is also a connection between kidney disease and sleep disorders like sleep apnea – especially in people who are overweight. Swollen ankles and feet If your ankles and feet are swelling up, it could be due to sodium retention from reduced kidney function. While this symptom can also be related to heart or liver issues or problems with leg veins, it is a common sign of kidney dysfunction. By recognizing these early signs, you can take proactive steps to protect your kidney health. If any of these symptoms resonate with you, it is important to seek professional medical advice and address potential kidney issues before they progress. Taking care of your kidneys is essential for overall health and it can be as simple as staying active and fit, avoiding smoking, eating a balanced diet and regularly consulting with your trusted health care practitioner. Visit HealthScience.news for more stories about maintaining optimal health. Watch this video about nine early warning signs of kidney problems. Sources Include: TheEpochTimes.com Kidney.org Healthline.com Brighteon.com To read the original article,

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Genetic Analysis Reveals Hidden Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults

The AHA! Team — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 18:24:53 +0000

Tokyo Medical and Dental University via News-Medical – Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is extremely prevalent among adults, affecting over 800 million individuals worldwide. Many of these patients eventually require therapy to supplement or replace kidney functions, such as dialysis or kidney transplant. While most CKD cases originate from lifestyle-related factors or diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, the underlying causes of CKD remain unknown for about one in every ten people with end-stage renal failure. Could CKD in these patients stem from latent, undiagnosed genetic conditions? In a recent study published online on 14 February 2024 in Kidney International Reports, researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) in Japan set out to answer this question through a comprehensive genetic analysis of CKD patients. First, the researchers acquired data from 1,164 patients who underwent dialysis in four different clinics in the Kanagawa Prefecture during November 2019. From this multicenter cohort, the researchers filtered out adults who were over 50 years old, since people at that age have a lower incidence of inherited kidney diseases. They then filtered out patients who had an apparent cause for their CKD, leaving 90 adults with CKD of unknown origin who had consented to genetic testing. “We conducted a comprehensive analysis of 298 genes responsible for various inherited renal diseases using next-generation sequencing. These included polycystic kidney disease, nephronophthisis-related ciliopathies, autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, Alport syndrome, and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.” – Dr. Takuya Fujimaru, Lead Author The results revealed that 10 of the 90 patients (11% of the final cohort) had pathogenic variants in CKD-causing genes. Importantly, for these patients, the clinical diagnosis at the time of dialysis was incorrect. What was particularly noteworthy was that some of the hereditary renal diseases contemplated in this study, such as Fabry’s disease and Alport syndrome, could be diagnosed and treated early on to slow down or halt the progression of CKD. On top of these findings, the researchers determined that 17 patients (18.9%) had genetic variants of unknown significance (VUS) with a high probability of pathological involvement. While the relationship between these variants and kidney diseases is not clear, they should not be ignored or taken lightly. “Although the interpretation of these VUS is currently unknown, some of them may indeed be responsible for CKD,” remarks senior author Dr. Takayasu Mori. “Thus, true hereditary kidney diseases may underlie many more cases than anticipated.” This study marks one of the world’s largest comprehensive genetic analysis of patients with end-stage renal failure using clinical data. As such, the conclusions derived from the results can have important implications in how CKD is diagnosed and managed in adults. “When the primary disease underlying a case of CKD is unknown, genetic analysis could lead to accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment before the disease progresses, which could hopefully result in a decrease in the number of patients requiring dialysis,” highlights senior author Dr. Eisei Sohara. “Thus, proactive genetic analysis is recommended for adult patients without a definitive cause of CKD.” Notably, this research group has been conducting genetic analyses of hereditary kidney diseases since 2014, reaching over 1,500 families. They have recently filed a patent for a new genetic analysis system for Japanese individuals, which would assist in correctly diagnosing cases of CKD. With any luck, further efforts will pave the way to a brighter future for people with inherited kidney diseases. Source: Tokyo Medical and Dental University Journal reference: Fujimaru, T., et al. (2024). Genetic Diagnosis of Adult Hemodialysis Patients With Unknown Etiology. Kidney International Reports. doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2024.01.027. To read the original article click here.

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