Dear NP

Dear NP,

“I have been taking proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for heartburn daily for the last seven years. My healthcare provider has advised me to stop due to possible serious side effects. What are these side effects and are they in fact serious?” M. E.

Dear M. E.,

Heartburn can be painful and difficult to have even once, but to people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn can become a daily nightmare. GERD occurs when acid from the stomach works its way into the esophagus and can cause significant burning and irritation in the chest and throat.

For people with GERD, proton-pum...