Dr. Ghasson Wahbeh, a gastroenterologist at the Seattle Children’s Hospital, made a strong point at a recent pediatric meeting about children with abdominal pain. Many are being treated with PPI drugs, like Prilosec, Nexium and Protonics. The children usually have functional bowel problems triggered by bacterial imbalance, allergies, reactions to medications, constipation, or other insults. PPI drugs are specific for GERD (gastro esophageal reflux). They are expensive and can cause side effects over time. Once you stop PPI drugs, acid secretion rebounds, giving the impression that the patient continues to need the drug. Nutritional treatments are effective in treating abdominal pain, but treatment over months might be required. Even if GERD is present, recent reports indicate that melatonin might be just as effective and much safer than PPI drugs.
See Family Practice News (click here), May 1, p. 41.
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