Taking acidity tablets daily? Doctors warn it could lead to serious health problem

Acidity tablets are as common as painkillers for many.

Be it a spicy dinner, a stressful work day, a late-night meal or just one too many cups of tea, heartburn sends people reaching for an over-the-counter remedy. The pain goes away, life goes on, and the cycle repeats.

But doctors are warning that daily dependence on acidity medicines may be doing more than simply easing discomfort. In some cases, it could be masking an underlying health condition that needs proper medical attention.

Why acidity has become so common

Acidity, medically known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the food pipe (oesophagus).

"This can lead to symptoms such as heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest, sour burps, bloating, nausea, throat irritation, chronic cough and even disturbed sleep," states Dr Shubhra Raina, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.

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The condition is becoming increasingly common in India. Studies published in the Indian Journal of Gastroenterology have reported GERD prevalence ranging from 7.6 per cent to 30 per cent across different regions. A systematic review published in 2021 estimated that significant reflux symptoms affect about one in six Indians.

Experts attribute the rise to growing rates of obesity, sedentary lifestyles, high stress levels, irregular eating habits, tobacco and alcohol use, and an increased consumption of processed foods.

The quick-fix habit

For many people, the first line of defence is a strip of antacids or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), medicines that reduce stomach acid production.

These medicines have transformed the treatment of ulcers, gastritis and severe reflux disease. They are highly effective and can provide rapid relief from symptoms.

However, doctors emphasise that they were never designed to be taken indefinitely without medical supervision.

What your stomach acid actually does

Stomach acid often gets a bad reputation, but it performs several essential functions.

It helps break down food and assists the body in absorbing nutrients such as iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin B12. It also acts as a natural defence mechanism against harmful bacteria and viruses that may enter the body through food.

When acid production is suppressed for prolonged periods without medical monitoring, there can be unintended consequences.

The long-term risks of unnecessary use

Several international studies, including research published in the BMJ, JAMA Internal Medicine and Gut, have linked long-term and unnecessary PPI use with vitamin B12 deficiency, magnesium deficiency, reduced calcium absorption, intestinal infections and, in some cases, a higher risk of bone fractures among older adults.

While these risks are generally considered small, they become more relevant when such medicines are taken continuously for years without proper evaluation or follow-up.

The bigger concern: What is causing the acidity?

Doctors say the medicines themselves are not always the main issue.

The larger concern is what persistent acidity may be trying to tell you.

“Many patients become dependent on acidity medicines as they give quick relief from symptoms,” says Dr Shubhra Raina.

“However, if you keep experiencing heartburn, it’s important to find out why. We shouldn't try to suppress symptoms forever, but to find the root cause.”

According to Dr Raina, “Continued acidity can be a sign of GERD, ulcers, H. pylori infection, reflux related to obesity or other digestive disorders that require proper evaluation and treatment.”

Conditions that could be hiding behind frequent heartburn

Persistent heartburn can sometimes point to a more significant medical issue.

Doctors say it may be associated with peptic ulcer disease, helicobacter pylori infection, hiatal hernia, severe GERD, gallbladder disease, digestive problems related to obesity.

Barrett's oesophagus, a condition in which long-term acid exposure causes changes in the lining of the food pipe and increases the risk of oesophageal cancer.

Ignoring symptoms and relying solely on over-the-counter medicines may delay diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.

Not every burning sensation is acidity

Another common misconception is that every episode of chest burning is caused by acid reflux.

In some cases, symptoms that appear to be acidity can actually be linked to an underlying heart condition. This is particularly important among people with diabetes, women and older adults, where heart-related symptoms can sometimes present differently than expected.

That is why persistent or unusual symptoms should never be dismissed without proper medical assessment.

Lifestyle changes can make a big difference

The encouraging news is that medication is not always the only solution.

For many people, symptoms improve significantly through lifestyle modifications such as losing excess weight, avoiding meals within two to three hours of bedtime, reducing tobacco use, limiting alcohol consumption, cutting back on excessively spicy and fatty foods, managing stress, and maintaining regular meal timings.

These changes often address some of the underlying triggers contributing to reflux.

When should you see a doctor?

According to experts, medical advice should be sought if:

Acidity occurs more than twice a week, you have difficulty swallowing, symptoms wake you up at night, there is unexplained weight loss, you experience vomiting, you develop anaemia, you notice black stools, and medicines are no longer providing relief.

The takeaway

Taking an antacid occasionally is generally not a cause for concern.

But if acidity medicines have become a daily habit, doctors say it may be time to look beyond symptom relief.

As Dr Raina points out, the goal should not be to keep suppressing symptoms indefinitely but to understand what is causing them in the first place.

If that strip of acidity tablets has become a permanent fixture in your pocket, purse or bedside drawer, your body may be asking for answers rather than another tablet.