Heartburn Meds and Health Problems

Millions of Americans have used heartburn medications called proton pump inhibitors to help ease pain and discomfort after they eat. But does that help come at a price?

A recent study found that the drugs, also known as PPIs, are linked to a higher heart attack risk. They’ve been tied to other health problems as well.

PPIs in the study included esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), and others. They're available by prescription and over the counter, and both account for $13 billion in sales worldwide. They reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes. That acid can cause a burning pain or discomfort in your chest, along with a bitter taste in your mouth.

The medicines may also treat ulcers and prevent damage to the esophagus caused by reflux.

WebMD turned to two experts and asked them to put the new study and previous research in perspective.

What exactly did the study look at and find?

Researchers looked at medical records representing nearly 3 million people. Some were taking PPIs and others were taking another type of heartburn medicine, H2 blockers: cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), or ranitidine (Zantac). No one had a history of heart disease.

Those who used the PPIs were more likely to have a heart attack than those who did not take the drugs, the researchers reported.

No similar link was found with H2 blockers.

The researchers found only a link between PPIs and heart attacks, though -- they can’t prove that PPIs actually raise the heart attack risk.

Earlier research found PPIs can harm blood vessel lining. That finding led researchers to study if the drugs were linked to a higher risk for heart attack.

"Based on the study, they would estimate the increased risk of a heart attack is about 16%," says Brian Lacy, MD, PhD, section chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. He was not involved in the study.

The 16% increased risk ''sounds big, very large," Lacy says. "However, you have to put that in perspective of how many heart attacks actually occur. You possibly would have one extra (heart attack) for every 4,000 people on a PPI."

Acne Treatment

A honey face mask can be used to help clear up acne breakouts and other skin problems. Simply mix together a paste of honey, milk, plain yogurt, and lemon juice, apply to the face, and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Many people swear by the honey face mask as an acne treatment.

A good wash if you suffer from serious acne is a mild solution of salt water. Salt water will clean the oils and dirt off of your skin in the same way a cleanser would, but without the detrimental drying effects of many commercials cleansers that are intended for acne treatment.

Egg whites can be a great cheap replacement for acne treatment. You can use raw egg white as a mask to cleanse your entire face, or use just a dab to reduce swelling and redness on a single blemish. Be sure to use a regular cleanser first, to remove oils and dirt.

A paste of cinnamon and honey can be beneficial as an acne treatment. Combine ground cinnamon with a dab of honey to form a paste and apply it to the acne. Cinnamon is a natural antiseptic and honey is a natural antibiotic. Together they can relieve and cure a breakout.

One thing that can ensure acne stays away is that you are not trying an acne treatment long enough. Many people are incredibly impatient and expect immediate results. There are no magic cures for acne, so once you start a treatment, give it ample time to work. If you do give it a while and see no improvement, then move on or ask your dermatologist.

Sometimes natural skin care remedies can be used in the place of strong ointments for skin care.  Lemons are a great natural acne treatment.  Lemons act as an astringent that can shrink acne due to its high acid level. It can also reduce oil levels in the skin. Just apply lemon juice to the skin and let it work for 15 minutes, then wash off, and you'll see effective results.

Benzoyl peroxide cream or gel applied directly onto the affected skin twice a day is a proven acne treatment.  Benzoyl peroxide prevents dead skin cells blocking hair follicles and kills bacteria on the skin that can cause blocked follicles to become infected. Unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide makes skin more sensitive to ultra-violet light, so during treatment you should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.

For high-powered acne treatment, try adding the "super food" maca to your diet. Maca is a Peruvian root that contains a large number of nutrients and vitamins, including fatty acids, amino acids, magnesium, iron, iodine, and calcium. The combined power of these components is thought to help regulate hormones and promote a healthy body, including healthy skin and nails. Maca often comes in powdered form and is taken as a supplement, but it can also be found as a juice or an extract.

Don't forget to moisturize your skin if you suffer from acne. Most acne treatment creams contain strong ingredients that can sometimes cause red patches and dryness. There are a number of moisturizers available for all skin types. If your skin is particularly oily, choose an oil-free moisturizer. For sensitive skin, go with something that is fragrance-free and hypo-allergenic. If you are using an acne treatment cream, avoid any moisturizer that contains ingredients that exfoliate the skin, such as alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid. It may further irritate your skin.