WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Millions of people who take medications to treat indigestion and heartburn could be at increased risk of osteoporosis, Canadian researchers found.
The study suggests that those who use the medications regularly for five years had a 44 percent higher chance of hip fracture, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.
The scientists at the University of Manitoba say they suspect the medications might inhibit the body from absorbing calcium, which is needed for healthy, strong bones.
Osteoporosis affects about one in three women and one in 12 men, the newspaper reported.
Some doctors said patients should not be alarmed by the study's findings.
"There are very safe drugs but there are some areas where they are probably over-prescribed, such as for minor indigestion," said Dr. Chris Hawley, president-elect of the British Society of Gastroenterology.
Ingvar Bjarnason, a gastroenterology expert at Kings College London, said benefits of the indigestion medication outweighs the risks.
"The risk of fractures among patients on the drugs is still very low and I believe the benefits still outweigh any risks," Bjarnason was quoted as saying.
