top of page

Acid Reflux Meds & Migraines

Results of a cross-sectional analysis were recently published in Neurology, Clinical Practice, which suggest an association between the use of acid-suppressing medications and migraine headaches. Self-reported data from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included nearly 12,000 adults, found that any type of acid-suppression therapy was associated with a higher risk for migraine and severe headaches. Specifically, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were associated with a 70% higher risk, while histamine type 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and generic antacids were associated with a 40% and 30% higher risk, respectively. A 24-hour diet recall was used to estimate magnesium intake, which was associated with H2RA use.

Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, causality cannot be determined. However, there are some plausible mechanisms for this association, and it is not the first to suggest a link between acid suppression and headaches, particularly with longer-term use. For example, in a large prospective general population cohort, PPI and H2RAs have previously been associated with a doubling in the risk for hypomagnesemia, a fairly late-stage marker for depleted magnesium levels. Additionally, the risk was tripled among longer-term PPI users, and over 7-fold higher among people also taking a loop diuretic (which may compromise magnesium reabsorption). A previous analysis of the 1994-2004 NHANES cohort found that most people in the U.S. are not meeting even basic recommended intakes for magnesium, and that doing so through a combination of diet and supplements was associated with approximately a 20% lower risk of migraine. Acupuncture has also been shown to be very effective with acid reflux without any negative side effects. Make an appointment with Dr. Anne today.



Opmerkingen


bottom of page