- #1
fred20
- 5
- 0
First - I'm not medically trained - this question comes about because of a relative being prescribed these.
As I understand it ant-acid drugs neutralize the natural acids in the stomach the body makes naturally
in order to digest food.
Given my limited knowledge of basic chemistry I can see how too much acid could "damage" a stomach
and cause discomfort and neutralising it provide relief.
However there seems to be no scientific testing in the long term prescription (over many years) for
these drugs or indeed any testing to see if acid reduction is required. GP's arer told by the
patient that they have stomach ache and are put on these drugs on that basis - perhaps for many years.
Is there some reason that the body doesn't care or that an abitrary use of anti acid drugs doesn't
matter to the body or the digestive system.
I'm just a bit curious about this.
As I understand it ant-acid drugs neutralize the natural acids in the stomach the body makes naturally
in order to digest food.
Given my limited knowledge of basic chemistry I can see how too much acid could "damage" a stomach
and cause discomfort and neutralising it provide relief.
However there seems to be no scientific testing in the long term prescription (over many years) for
these drugs or indeed any testing to see if acid reduction is required. GP's arer told by the
patient that they have stomach ache and are put on these drugs on that basis - perhaps for many years.
Is there some reason that the body doesn't care or that an abitrary use of anti acid drugs doesn't
matter to the body or the digestive system.
I'm just a bit curious about this.