Brief Answer:
Increases risk when used for decades without monitoring...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
I've gone through your details and I appreciate your concerns.

Firstly, I would say that proton pump inhibitors are one of the safest group of medicines available.
Secondly, omeprazole 20 mg is too low a dose to be worried about.

Thirdly, its very true that regular and UNMONITORED use of PPI’s for years (more than 5 years) increases the risk of kidney problem by 10-20%. However, hope you have noticed the word unmonitored.

Yes, that means that two tests-
Serum urea creatinine and Glomerular filtration rate should be done every 6 months and if its normal your kidneys are normal.

Fourthly, hope you can understand that Omeprazole is over the counter in a country like USA(Where medication is under extremely strict regulations). So hope you would understand that if kidney and other problems were so common with PPI’s as written over the internet then do you think it could be over the counter there?

So please rest assured unless you exploit PPI's over decades that too unmonitored I don’t think its going to harm you.

Lastly surgery for gastritis etc is last resort treatment which means that despite of maximal medical therapy for years if patient is miserable then these surgeries are performed(usually at very high centres).

At an age of 32, no gastroenterologist would do it on a patient who is relieved on such low doses of omeprazole.

Hope I was helpful.

My answer was covering practical aspect, online data although widely available, may not be reliable enough in this case.

Please feel free to follow up.
Regards!

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Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello my dear patient,
Thanks for follow up,

Answers are-
1)Digestion is a complex process which involves breakdown absorbtion and excretion of food.Our body derives energy from digested food only.So practically if you acid levels are that low that they are unable to digest food properly,You would start feeling malaise fatigue weight loss etc.See try to skip breakfast and you will start feeling weak in next 6-8 hours so hope you can understand that if level of acid is reduced to that extent in your body then you would not be able to tolerate ppi's even for a day.

Secondly in lay mans language acid secretion occurs in two phasis-
a)Baseline acid levels-usually not effected in optimal or low doses.
b)Excessive acid over and above baseline levels(causes acid peptic disorders)-effected and targeted by H2blockers and PPI's.

2)Get a stool routine and microscopy test in a laboratory.If its normal that means that your body has sufficient amount of baseline acid levels to kill bacteria's etc.

3)No i have never encountered even a single case in last 30 years.Have even treated patients on a number of antacids that too for years.
No effect on sex.
As per vitamin and minerals are concerned as you are extremely conscious you can get a blood level of them tested every 6-8 months.

4)Practically i don't think so.
Rarest of rare side effects.
In fact have not read about them in standard Books of medicine like Davidson.

5)This was some thing pathetic on part of your in laws.We are a complex machinery and no one knows when and what happens to it.As far as GERD is concerned more then 20% XXXXXXX childrens are having it(due to food habits and lifestyle).

Gerd though is not curable but is fully controllable dear XXXXXXX
You are a normal person; all you have to do is to follow a good diet man.I don't think that ability to drink smoke or eat spices and fast food is good for our body infact to be on a serious note though initially it would be a bit painful to modify food habits for you but in long terms your body would bless you for taking a healthy diet.I would just say that you are blessed to have GERD because it would motivate you to follow a good life style and food habits and once you would land up in old age you would see the effect of good diet on your body.
You can definitely marry brother you are a normal guy.
More then 30% young girls have migraine problem.
A number of them have menstrual problems.All of them marry.We are a complex machine and no one can say that he/she would always be healthy.

God bless you.
Ask your in law to consult a good gastroenterologist in USA.
Meet Dr Rizwana in XXXXXXX XXXXXXX She would explain things to your in laws.

Cheer up buddy you are normal.
Hope i was helpful.
Good luck!

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Brief Answer:
follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Thanks for appreciation.
1)Jusk ask them to do Serum creatinine and serum urea.
Glomerular filtration rate.
These are basic tests done by every lab.

2)Whether you have to take them life long or not depends on response of body to food and life style changes.By protocol initial treatment is given for 3 months followed by tapering of medications.

3)Suggestions-
1.Avoid processed food.
2. Do not lie down for 2-3 hrs after eating.
3. Avoid acidic foods - citrus, tomatoes, juices
4. Decrease caffeine (colas, coffee) and sodas in general(No pre work out drink in gym).

5. If you are overweight through the middle, that increases the risk of reflux. Try to decrease your weight (if overweight) slowly over time.
6.Eat smaller amounts at a time so there is less pressure in the stomach which can reflux acid into the stomach.
7.Avoid eating/drinking mint (it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter which can allow more acid up).


3)You can do anything you want dear.

Regards!

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Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again XXXXXXX
AS you can see by yourself creatinine is absolutely normal.It lies in normal range only.
Endoscopy should be done once in a year if symptoms are not well controlled by medications or once every three years if symptoms are well controlled on medications.
Regards.

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