Dr Punam Krishan shared advice on PPIs for people with conditions such as acid reflux and indigestionCharlotte Smith Senior Lifestyle Content Editor and Robert Rowlands Deputy editor, Money and lifestyle hub
13:30, 07 Feb 2026Updated 13:31, 07 Feb 2026
Dr Punam(Image: BBC)
BBC Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishan says people taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole for ailments including heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion need to be careful. Across the UK, a quarter of adults are affected by acid reflux, with numerous individuals experiencing episodes throughout their lifetime, often triggered by substantial meals.
For those dealing with persistent symptoms, doctors may prescribe PPIs like omeprazole to alleviate discomfort. However, Dr Punam has highlighted the need for care among those on this medication, particularly for extended periods, stressing the importance of regular medical reviews. Dr Punam practises as an NHS GP and serves as the resident doctor on BBC’s Morning Live.
She also operates as a media medic, health broadcaster, and writes children’s literature. Addressing BBC Morning Live hosts Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton, the medical professional began her warning by clarifying to audiences what acid reflux entails.
A box and blister pack of Omeprazole pills(Image: Getty)
She explained: “Acid reflux is all about what happens in your stomach. So we all have acid in our stomach and it has a very important role. The role of that is to break down and digest the food. Now, at the top of the stomach, we have a little valve, a sphincter, and it acts like a trapdoor.
“And its job is to basically seal the contents so the acid is not essentially tracking back up the food pipe, your oesophagus. However, if that sphincter, that valve, becomes too loose, it can become very relaxed by things like heavy meals. If you’ve had alcohol, if you lie down straight after having a heavy meal, that can actually mean that that acid from the stomach can end up creeping back up the food pipe and cause that heavy pressured burning sensation that people get.”
When host Gethin asked: “What about the most common ways to treat it then?” Dr Punam explained there are various approaches available. In the show, aired late last year but whose advice is still relevant today, she said: “So there are lots of different things that we can do. If, of course, you’re having it just every now and then, then lots of people do get antacids or basically medications like alginates. Examples of that include Gaviscon. And these basically help to just kind of neutralise the acid. They’re very effective and you can just use them as and when needed.”
For more persistent discomfort, she noted that doctors often prescribe proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs for short, such as omeprazole and lansoprazole. “If the discomfort is persistent, we often prescribe proton pump inhibitors, PPIs for short. Examples of these are omeprazole, lansoprazole. And these are incredible and have really transformed the way that we treat acid reflux. They essentially help to treat the acid production at the source.”
Omeprazole can be prescribed or sometimes purchased without a prescription(Image: Getty Images)
The NHS GP delivered a warning to those using PPIs, explaining: “Essentially these medications aren’t there to be used unnecessarily or for a long period of time. They do require us to review them. And that’s because if used over a long period of time, they can slightly increase your risk of things like low magnesium, low vitamin B12, but also increase the risk of gut infections, particularly Clostridioides difficile. We call that C. diff for short.”
Emphasising the importance of routine monitoring for long-term PPI users, Dr Punam continued: “Now, we have this bacteria in our bowel, you and I, we all have it, and it lives in balance. However, medications like PPIs can tip that balance. And if you get overgrowth of this bacterium, it can cause persistent diarrhoea. That is a red flag.
“So you do need to speak to your doctor if that is an issue and you suddenly start developing diarrhoea. Or if you’ve got a change in bowel habit, we always say check in with your doctor. Just make sure that you are getting those reviews with your GP.”
Helen questioned: “I guess the trouble is if it works, you stick with it, don’t you?” Dr Punam agreed: “Yeah, it is.”
Gethin then added: “But you don’t even know how long you’re taking it for in the end, are you?” Dr Punam said: “Well, that’s just it. Sometimes you can just be taking it, and the problem is resolved, but you’re just taking the medication. So do go in for your regular reviews.”
How often should people taking PPIs see their GP?
If you’re taking omeprazole over the counter, it shouldn’t be used for longer than a fortnight. You should consult a doctor in some circumstances.
For those prescribed omeprazole for extended periods, doctors should carry out regular monitoring. Your GP will arrange a schedule for follow-up consultations tailored to your individual health requirements and risk factors, typically every six to 12 months.
Should your GP recommend taking omeprazole for more than a year, regular reviews become essential to reduce the likelihood of long-term adverse effects.
Which symptoms require attention?
Low magnesium symptoms can manifest as muscle cramps, tiredness, and irregular heartbeat, alongside less obvious indicators such as reduced appetite, feeling sick, and general weakness. More serious deficiencies may lead to numbness, pins and needles, changes in personality, fits, and abnormal cardiac rhythms.
Indicators of vitamin B12 deficiency can include exhaustion, weakness, pallor, and a painful or inflamed red tongue. Additional symptoms might encompass neurological problems like tingling sensations, difficulties with balance, and cognitive issues, as well as breathlessness, palpitations, and gastrointestinal troubles.
Signs of a C. diff intestinal infection include loose, watery bowel movements, abdominal cramping and discomfort, elevated temperature (fever), feeling sick, reduced appetite, and fluid loss.
In serious instances, complications may develop, including potentially fatal bowel inflammation.
What tests are available for confirmation?
Helen asked: “What if you want to do something without medication? Can you ease the symptoms without taking any meds?”
The NHS GP replied: “So if you have got symptoms that have not settled despite you trying to manage them, then it is important to check in with your GP because we would want to investigate that further.
“Ultimately, you want to find out what is the root cause of this and is it something more serious. We would do tests like checking for a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, which increases the production of acid. We may refer you for a gastroscopy. This is a camera test that goes into the stomach to see is there any inflammation, any ulcers, anything more serious.”
What alternative treatments exist beyond medication?
Dr Punam explained: “At the end of the day, medications are great, but there’s lots of things that we can do every day in our lifestyles that make a massive, massive difference. The first thing is if you are struggling with heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, then eat smaller portions.
“If you eat big, heavy meals, you can actually put a lot of pressure on your stomach. Again, we’re going back to that valve, which can become a bit lax and cause acid to track up.
“Avoid lying down after a meal for at least three to four hours. When we lie flat, the sphincter relaxes, and acid can return to the oesophagus.
“If you have symptoms, prop up your pillows so your chest is slightly higher than your waist, so you’re just slouched up a little bit. Again, avoid lying flat. It really, really works a treat.
Omeprazole is taken by many patients in the UK(Image: Getty Images)
“Don’t wear tight clothes. We all want to loosen that button on your jeans after a meal, but actually just get into looser clothing because tight clothes can actually put a lot of pressure on your stomach as well.
“Gentle teas like chamomile work really well. Ginger tea is fantastic. Chamomile works really well, ginger tea is fantastic. A lot of people turn to mint. Now mint is great if you’ve got IBS or tummy cramps, but actually for reflux it can make the problem worse. So stick to ginger tea or chamomile tea.
“Avoid certain foods as well. Knowing your triggers. So keep a diary. I’m a big one for diaries. Look at when you get your symptoms, what have you had or done that day that could have exacerbated them. Taking them into your doctor is a real help to us. And that and also managing your weight. I think that goes without saying can make a big difference.”