Yes, it is a lot to learn about, but critically important--foundationally for overall good health which always begins with gut assessment.
Your doctor should take the lead and order the appropriate testing to rule out any and all influences that can promote arrhythmia. And, it goes without saying, using a PPI just delays finding the true source. You may need to find a practitioner of functional or restorative medicine to do the appropriate and reliable testing so you can make the progress you need. As I mentioned about the H.pylori... afib in those people went away once the H.pylori was also eliminated... but it all takes time and a huge dedication and participation on the part of the patient. In reality, though, what are the options?
Keep in mind that if there is Candida (yeast), it can affect the entire GI tract from mouth to anus and cause symptoms the entire length.... some of which you may not even be aware.
When I tested positive for Candida via Genova Comprehensive Stool Analysis (CDSAP) with parasitology) which also tests for other parasites and bad bacteria, etc... [
www.gdx.net] I used a product called Candex (by Pure Essence)... for about 3 months and then retested to be sure it was gone.[
www.pureessencelabs.com] Also avoiding foods that feed the Candida is important.
Oil of Oregano...such as the most potent version known as p73 from North American Herb and Spice helps as an adjunct for other bacteria as well. [
p-73.com]
Jackie
Additionally... these reports on PPIs should be noted (esp. the causing of low Mg levels)http://www.medpagetoday.com/Gastroenterology/GERD/25147
FDA Warns GERD Drugs May Deplete Magnesium
By Peggy Peck, Executive Editor, MedPage Today
Published: March 02, 2011
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WASHINGTON -- Use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) regularly for a year or longer may lead to low levels of circulating magnesium, which may increase the risk of leg spasms, arrhythmias, and seizures, according to an FDA warning.
The FDA noted that PPI-associated hypomagnesemia was generally reversed with magnesium supplements, but in about 25% of cases "magnesium supplementation alone did not improve low serum magnesium levels and the PPI had to be discontinued."
The FDA's notice included the prescription drugs: esomeprazole magnesium (Nexium), dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), omeprazole (Prilosec), omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate (Zegerid), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole sodium (Protonix), rabeprazole sodium (AcipHex) and the combination product esomeprazole magnesium/naproxen (Vimovo).
Also included were OTC formulations of the drugs: Prilosec OTC, Zegerid OTC, and Prevacid 24-hour.
The FDA warning follows reports that PPIs given to patients who undergo stenting and other percutaneous cardiovascular events may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Moreover, there have been reports linking PPI use to increased risk of Clostridium difficile diarrhea.
The latest alert from the FDA says physicians "should consider obtaining serum magnesium levels prior to initiation of prescription PPI treatment in patients expected to be on these drugs for long periods of time."
The risk of hypomagnesemia may be greater when PPIs are given to patients who are already taking drugs that are known to deplete magnesium, including digoxin and diuretics.
"For patients taking digoxin, a heart medicine, this is especially important because low magnesium can increase the likelihood of serious side effects," the FDA said.
FDA Drug Safety Communication: Low magnesium levels can be associated with long-term use of Proton Pump Inhibitor drugs (PPIs)
[
www.fda.gov]
Safety Announcement
[3-2-2011] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public that prescription proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs may cause low serum magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia) if taken for prolonged periods of time (in most cases, longer than one year). In approximately one-quarter of the cases reviewed, magnesium supplementation alone did not improve low serum magnesium levels and the PPI had to be discontinued.
Previous post on PPIs...
The use of PPIs or proton pump inhibitors for GERD (gastric esophageal reflux disease), heartburn etc. has become common-place and many find it offers immediate relief. Used long-term, however, PPIs can cause trouble.
Afibbers, especially, need to be very aware that PPIs are documented to cause hypomagnesia … the very mineral/electrolyte that keeps our hearts in Normal Sinus Rhythm as well as supports bone remineralization along with calcium, vitamin D, Vitamin K2 MK7 and several trace minerals.
As documented in the a small 2010 study, long term use of this class of medication has been associated with severe hypomagnesemia (low blood levels of magnesium). Symptoms in addition to arrhythmias include muscle cramps, fatigue, headaches including migraines, unsteadiness, and paresthesia to tetany and seizures.
As afibbers, we know that in order for potassium to work to provide heart energy (voltage) to heart cells which keeps us in NSR, we must first have optimal stores of intracellular magnesium.
Awareness is the key here. If you use PPIs and have arrhythmia, start connecting the dots.
Knowledge is Health.
Jackie
Source: Hypomagnesemia and proton pump inhibitors: below the tip of the iceberg, Hypomagnesaemia due to proton-pump inhibitor therapy: a clinical case series.
[
allmanmedicinbd.se]
QJM. 2010 Jun;103(6):387-95. Epub 2010 Apr 8.
Hypomagnesaemia due to proton-pump inhibitor therapy: a clinical case series.
Mackay JD, Bladon PT.
Source
Victoria Hospital, Blackpool FY3 8NR, UK.
dr.mackay@bfwhospitals.nhs.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Reports since 2006 have identified proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy as a cause of hypomagnesaemia, in a total of 13 cases.
RESULTS:
Patients were 68.8 +/- 8.6 years old when they presented with severe hypomagnesaemia, having been on PPI therapy for a mean of 8.3 +/- 3.5 years. Eight patients were on diuretics at initial presentation. There was significant morbidity as eight patients remained on PPI therapy after presentation for a mean of 2.75 +/- 1.54 years. There were 18 emergency hospital admissions with severe hypomagnesaemia. Oral and parenteral magnesium supplements were relatively ineffective at correcting the problem, but stopping PPI therapy lead to prompt resolution of the hypomagnesaemia (within 2 weeks in five carefully monitored patients), with symptomatic benefit. Hypomagnesaemia recurred if PPI therapy was re-introduced because of troublesome dyspepsia. However, pantoprazole, the least potent PPI, largely relieved dyspepsia and hypomagnesaemia did not inevitably develop when combined with oral magnesium supplements.
CONCLUSION:
These cases confirm that long-term PPI therapy can cause severe, symptomatic hypomagnesaemia, which resolves when PPI therapy is withdrawn. The serum magnesium should be checked annually in patients on long-term PPI therapy, or if they feel unwell.
PMID: 20378675 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
A Patient on Long-Term Proton Pump Inhibitors Develops Sudden Seizures and Encephalopathy: An Unusual Presentation of Hypomagnesaemia
Case Rep Gastrointest Med; 2012 Nov:632721.
Gandhi NY, et al.
Abstract
(AA)Objective: To present an unusual but known cause of hypomagnesaemia induced-hypocalcaemia in a chronic GORD (GERD) patient with severe symptoms with a review of the current literature.
Methods: Analysis of the clinical and laboratory findings of the patient and discussion of the multi-factorial nature of his disease and the underlying mechanisms.
Results: Our patient described features of magnesium deficiency such; as weakness, muscle twitches, and fits with clinical signs of hypocalcaemia: a carpal pedal spasm and paraesthesia. Preadmission blood results revealed low calcium and magnesium levels. He was admitted to ITU, when he presented with seizures and developed encephalopathy. The total vitamin D level was 52.4 nmol/L (>49.9). His U&Es and LFTs were within the normal range with the exception of potassium. He was on Omeprazole for his GORD. With omission of the PPI 1 day after admission and replacement therapy, his ion levels normalized.
Conclusion: Hypomagnesaemia is often undiagnosed and is associated with multiple biochemical abnormalities. Treatment focus should be aimed at stopping the PPI and replacing the magnesium. Over use of PPIs is a problem in practice, with the FDA issuing a warning over long-term use. Continued monitoring and decision making on dose reduction/withdrawal is essential to avoid complications.
Proton Pump Inhibitors – A Risky Experiment?
by Steven Sandberg-Lewis, ND, DHANP
Professor, Naturopathic Medicine, National College of Natural Medicine
From the Townsend Letter
February 2011
Refined carbohydrates and soda pop may cause GERD by inducing insulin resistance, which delays gastric emptying. The extreme example is gastroparesis, which may prevent the stomach from emptying for up to 8 to 10 hours. A full stomach is much more likely to reflux its partially digested contents into the lower esophagus. This gastric fullness mechanism applies to eating within 3 hours of bedtime as well. During sleep, gravity does not support the acid esophageal clearance and salivary secretion is decreased, leading to less lower esophageal neutralization of gastric acid. In addition, there are fewer esophageal contractions. A left lateral sleep position is more protective than sleeping on the right side (Dantas 2002).
[
www.townsendletter.com]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/2015 09:48AM by Jackie.