Acid reflux and heartburn are aggravating for sufferers, but two new studies suggest that the medications used to treat them could damage the kidneys, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Share on Pinterest PPIs, used to treat acid reflux and heartburn, may increase risks of kidney damage, according to two new studies.

The studies will be presented at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2015, which will take place next week in San Diego, CA.

The drugs in question – proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – are in the top 10 list of prescribed medications in the US.

They work by reducing the amount of stomach acid produced by glands in the lining of the stomach, thus relieving symptoms of acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic or stomach ulcers.

Available both as prescription and over the counter, PPIs also treat damage to the lower esophagus that occurs as a result of acid reflex.

Although these drugs provide relief for many sufferers, the two new studies implicate them in raising risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition that is on the rise in the US. Currently, more than 20 million Americans have this disease, and its prevalence is growing most rapidly in people over the age of 60.

People with early CKD do not typically feel ill or notice any symptoms, so the only way to receive a diagnosis is through specific blood and urine tests.

Once diagnosed, CKD can be treated with lifestyle changes and medicines, which typically decrease the rate at which the disease progresses. Without treatment, however, the kidneys could stop working – resulting in kidney failure and either dialysis or a kidney transplant.