People who take medications to relieve reflux symptoms may have a higher risk of migraines and other serious headaches, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology Clinical Practice.
A person experiences reflux when stomach acid flows into the esophagus. Generally, this happens after a meal or when the individual goes to bed to sleep. This causes him to feel heartburn, a symptom that improves with the use of acid-reducing medications.
“These medications are often considered overprescribed,” explains Margaret Slavin, study author. However, the researcher emphasizes that there is no cause and consequence relationship, meaning that taking the medicine will make a person have a headache. In fact, the study found only one association.
Understand migraine research
For the study, researchers analyzed data from almost 12 thousand people. From the participants, the scientists analyzed information about the use of acid-reducing medications, generally used against reflux, and the frequency of migraine over a period of three months.
Among acid-reducing medications, researchers looked at three types. Those that work as proton pump inhibitors (1), histamine H2 receptor antagonists (2) and, finally, those antacid supplements (3).
A total of 25% of participants taking type (1) medications experienced migraines. Meanwhile, 19% of people who were not taking these medications experienced a severe headache.
The same scenario was repeated when comparing people taking medications of type (2) and (3), with a 25% and 22% incidence of migraine, respectively.
However, the researchers adjusted the calculations to include other factors that may affect migraine risk. For example, age, gender, and use of caffeine and alcohol.
In this way, they discovered that people who took proton pump inhibitors were 70% more likely to have a migraine. Those taking H2 blockers were 40% more likely and those taking antacid supplements were 30% more likely.
“It’s important to note that many people need acid-reducing medications to control acid reflux or other conditions, and people with migraines or severe headaches who are taking these medications or supplements should talk to their doctors about whether they should continue,” he explained. Slavin.
